There are so many factors to consider beyond just population growth and unemplyment rate.

I have used it to find local CRE multifamily events when I was first getting into that because I couldn't find any reliable groups that hosted them through FB. 

Hi, first post here! 

I took a different approach: I focus on reliable tenants and buy what they are willing and able to rent.My ResultsTo give you an idea of how effective this approach is, here are my 17+ year results:Delivered over 550 residential rental properties.Maintained a vacancy rate of less than 2%.Average tenant stays over five years.Zero decline in rent or vacancies during the 2008 crash.Almost no impact from COVID and the eviction moratorium.Focus on the Income, Not PropertiesProperties don't pay rent; tenants do.

It could actually be the very first one you do.

And now, they’re already en route to receiving their first distributions!

Just add your time to the base nightly rate.

Quote from @Rob Cassagne: Hi everyone,I'm looking to buy my first STR, and have read up on how to analyze a market for cash flow/CoC/etc.

First, I cleared minor title issues (common with tax auctions), then confirmed access to essential utilities so future owners could build quickly.

I've definitely noticed the trend on BP/podcasts that lower priced assets may offer higher cash flow/cap rate, but come with higher risk.