Now if you are in a major populated area and no available lots, then you are on a reasonable quest.

Population growth is great, great jobs and low unemployment.

The two main reasons are: population growth and greater efficiency.The worlds population is growing so there is more demand each year for food products.

This makes for solid economic fundamentals.You can find similar markets in other regions.Generally, look for population increases, new businesses, and a business climate that supports continued growth.

@Darryl JenningsHere are some of the metrics that I find valuable to understand:- Population - Home Values- Household Incomes- Rental Vacancy Rate- Homeowner Vacancy Rate- Poverty Rate- Educational Attainment Rate (High School/GED & Bachelors)- Number of Housing Unit- Rent to Income Ratio- Rent to Price Ratio- Population on SNAPS (supplemental nutrition assistance program) percentage- Property Tax Rate- Median Age of Buildings- Number of Structures by Units (SFR, Duplex, Triplex, Quadplex, etc...)- Median Rents by Number of Bedrooms- Unemployment Rate- Employment Sectors Percentages These are just some of the indicators that will help you understand the quality of an area as well as the kinds of returns one is to except.By taking into consideration the direction in which each of these metrics are trending, you will better understand where the market a whole may be heading.

@Victoria Coleman population trend is towards moving south.

(up to a million dollars)I'm looking for a Multi-Family in an area with decent population growth and job growth, low crime, and with a good cap-rate... basically the dreamMy plan is to purchase said property with hard money and lock in property management and work on refinancing to better interest rates asap. 

There is a housing shortage in Johannesburg as a result of migration of the population in search of better work opportunities.

Not sure what the solution is but hoping things turn around before Seattle has the affordability and homeless population of San Francisco plus traffic of LA...its like city councils don't ever look at each other and figure out what not to do.

We also have some of the best job and population growth in all of Ohio.