Using criteria like price-to-rent ratio, pop growth, employment trends, and wage growth, relying on multiple sources (PropStream, Zillow, Rentometer, FRED) to calculate averages. 

14 Jan 2025Maggie Switek, Brock Smith, and Abigail HumphreysWith inflation easing and the US economy experiencing continued growth, the turbulence triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic is now largely behind us.

Expanding your portfolio, streamlining tenant management, diversifying income streams, building a network, and planning for growth are also recommended.

After 20 years as an investor, broker, and lender, I can tell you that house hacking is one of the smartest ways to start.

Since you're focused on equity appreciation, consider long-term rentals in growth areas (e.g., Smyrna, Decatur, Marietta), new construction or turnkey rentals for lower maintenance, or small multifamily properties for stability.

Looking for high equity growth areas is a bit of a gamble.

This influx is limiting rent growth nationwide, particularly in the Sun Belt, where oversupply has led to rent declines.Nationwide, vacancy rates edged down to 7.8% as move-ins outpaced move-outs.

For a growth market to be growing, you need a lot of job and population migration. 

Not only does it have excellent potential as a house hack, but it also offers significant upside for a live-in flip.

I recently purchased my first duplex in Peoria, AZ in September and I am using it as a house hack where I rent out one side and live in the other.