How to research real estate markets

[Matt Mahony]

I am new to real estate investing, and am looking for advice on how to research the best markets.  What information do you look for?  And what resources do you use to gather the information?  

I have decided to target multi unit apartment complexes in the midwest, but there are still a lot of good markets out there, and I don't know how to narrow down my search further.

Thanks,

Matt