How to analyze potential RE markets?

[Omar Diaz]

Hey BP,

I’m getting out of the Army once this contract ends in 2 years and haven’t decided where I want to settle. I’m looking for markets with potential population and housing growth.

How do you go about studying a market in the first place? What are some metrics/key statistics that should tell you good/bad things about a market, i.e. population growth = job growth = more housing, etc.

Any general rule of thumbs when looking at this information?

I know of city-data and neighborhood scout but are there other resources that I could be looking over? Preferably not pay-for-use services.

Thanks in advance for any advice and reading material recommendations.