As a starting point, I built what I think of as a balanced lens — not optimized for max cash flow or pure appreciation, but something that tolerates tradeoffs and avoids extremes.The idea was to compare cities relative to one another, rather than arguing whether a single metric is “good” or “bad” in absolute terms.The dimensions I ended up looking at were things like:Home prices relative to national normsRent affordability (rent vs income)Employment diversityLiquidity indicators (days on market, inventory)Structural friction (e.g. landlord-friendly vs tenant-friendly states)Everything is scored relative to the set of cities being compared, and then stack-ranked.

The study looks at metrics like job growth consistency, wage gains, high-tech GDP concentration, and how well metros hold up when national momentum slows.From an investor lens, that matters more than boom-cycle spikes.Why Huntsville’s inclusion is notable:• High concentration of engineering, defense, and aerospace employment• Federal and long-term contract-driven job base reduces cycle risk• Continued in-migration even as other markets cool• Strong alignment between wage growth and housing demandThis isn’t a market built on tourism, speculative tech, or short-term capital inflows.

That perspective, especially from an international lens, is incredibly valuable in today’s shifting CRE landscape.

I think you’ve hit on the most important distinction that out-of-state investors miss—it's easy to find a 'good deal' on a spreadsheet that actually sits in a declining pocket.I’ve been iterating on a similar 'balanced lens' specifically for the Neighborhood Discovery phase.

📊 Exeter, NH 3 unit Multifamily Breakdown (Recently Sold)Property Snapshot:Sold in 2025 for the mid-$600s3-family: • (2) two-bedroom units • (1) three-bedroom unitJust over 4,000 sq ftHistoric construction (1700s)Appears to need light cosmetic upgradesPricing Context:Initially listed in the mid-$700s, later reducedSub- $160/sq ftThis appears well below typical Exeter pricing on a per-square-foot basisIncome Lens (Using HUD Fair Market Rents):2025 HUD FMR estimates for Exeter: • 2-bedroom: ~$1,950 • 3-bedroom: ~$2,400At those rent levels, this property may approach the 1% rule, which could point to promising cash flow.

My entire real estate career has been in senior housing, so my investing lens has been shaped by a single niche.Something we frequently encounter, and actively seek, in senior housing is value-add deals that are in exceptional physical condition and in great markets.

If you ever want to talk shop about deals, market trends, or renovation strategy from an investor lens, feel free to reach out.

Appreciate you sharing your lens from the property management side.

To make that more concrete, I built what I think of as a balanced lens — not optimized for max cash flow or pure appreciation, but something that tolerates tradeoffs and avoids extremes.The core idea was to compare cities relative to one another, rather than arguing whether a single metric is “good” or “bad” in absolute terms.The dimensions I ended up looking at included things like:Home prices relative to national normsRent affordability (rent vs. income)Employment diversityLiquidity indicators (days on market, inventory)Structural friction (e.g., landlord-friendly vs. tenant-friendly states)Everything is scored relative to the set of cities being compared, then stack-ranked.

We built the IEC Property Analyzer to force those checks because I come at every deal from an underwriting lens after 25 years as a bank branch manager plus working in our commercial brokerage, and doing private lending really sharpens that when it is your own money on the line.