Using data like employment, population trends, immigration, tax reform, etc., you can certainly get a MACRO view of local market -- but, generally speaking, this information is much more reliable at the extremes. 

With the reform that was passed. the 2 out of 5 rule was left unchanged in the end. 

@John Woodrich, I believe the new ruling with the tax reform of 1031 not applying to 'personal property' only refers to that which is not part of real property (like a car, plane, etc.).

Amanda HanBrandon HallTax Reform Update – Brandon Hall and Amanda Han Linda Weygant GuidesUltimate Beginners Guide Forum StickiesBP Calculators or spreadsheets uploaded by membersMy Favorite Books I have to say all of the BP books…right?

It sounds like the tax reform bill is going to pass, and it changes the capital gain exclusion rules under Section 121 so that you have to own and reside in the property as your principal residence for 5 out of the last 8 years. 

At the bottom of that web page is a section titled "Resources to Find Legal Forms & Contracts" that lists a number of links to sites providing RE forms.

While that's all still hung up in the courts, there's got to be something happening with immigration reform at some point in the future.

She got her CAreal estate license along the way to give her access to MLS, access to homes for sale as she wants, and to save on commissions.She/We don't flip per se, but (with only one exception) typically buy houses with opportunities for improvements, and then improve them while we/renters live in them, and then sell them a few years later.I am lucky enough to have married into a mini-RE mogul ;-)I call myself a reformed lawyer.

Amanda HanBrandon HallTax Reform Update – Brandon Hall and Amanda Han Linda Weygant GuidesUltimate Beginners Guide Forum StickiesBP Calculators or spreadsheets uploaded by membersMy Favorite Books I have to say all of the BP books…right?

Tim Rhode is a reformed broker, who has made a great life for himself from his foreclosure investing efforts in only a few short years.