Before I point to something that stops the trend of this past year, I need to be able to point to something that has led to the rent growth we've seen this past year and all I can point to right now are temporary unemployment/stimulus.

My co-worker introduced me to Real Estate investing and I've been very interested in multi-family ever since.Navigating through the massive amount of information that is out there I have noticed a trend.

B or C.The current trend is south, and southwest for multifamily purchases because that's where the growth is happening. 

Have you noticed that trend as well for renters.

The appraiser like others have said will use a combined approach and it will have a ton of detail on the surrounding area and the current market conditions and trends.

If you buy up, how do you protect yourself from the "downward Trend" that will come. 

@Steven Maldonado Oh that pink and black wall tile is in amazing shape and that vintage look is on trend.

It is unlikely they would rezone the property multifamily unless that is the trend in the area and other properties have been able to do that in the past.  

An increasing rental market will generally follow a similar trend line w/ an appreciating market.

I pay closer to $80/mo. for my 3/2 house in Hutto.  8% appreciation annualized over 5+ years is ambitious even though the most recent trend may be 10%+.