This post on The Hybrid Real Estate Professional, I’ll give you 6 key factors to consider when selecting a market to invest in real estate.

You can also download my Market Analysis Cheat Sheet and use it to follow along with your own market.

Choosing the right market for your rental property is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a real estate investor.

But with so many factors to consider, where do you even start?

In a past issue, I shared one of my favorite ways to pick a market. But what if you want to start from scratch?

If you’re like me, starting with a blank map is overwhelming…so let’s boil it down and give you a good framework for your search.

For this issue, let’s set aside macro factors such as interest rates (which we can’t control) and look solely at the characteristics of the location itself.

From economic and environmental factors to buyer and local trends, I’ll provide you with the key resources to help you make a smart investment.

Here are 6 essential factors to look for, along with 2 resources to dig deeper:

Download my Market Analysis Tracker here & fill it out as you go.

1. Market Trends

This includes local trends like:

• Population growth
• Job growth
• Overall economic growth

Markets with a growing population and a strong economy typically have a higher demand for rental properties, making it easier to find tenants and generate steady rental income.

Resources:

Zillow Research: https://www.zillow.com/research/​

Zillow provides a variety of research reports on real estate markets across the United States, including trends in home values, rental rates, and housing inventory. You can find these reports at

U.S. Census Bureau: https://www.census.gov/​

The U.S. Census Bureau provides data on population growth and other national, state, and local demographic trends.

2. Economic Conditions

This includes factors such as:

• Unemployment rates
• Median income
• Cost of living.

A market with a low unemployment rate and a high median income is likely to have a stable rental market, as tenants will have the financial means to pay rent consistently.

Resources:

Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/​

The BLS provides data on unemployment rates, median income, and other national, state, and local economic indicators.

U.S. News & World Report: https://realestate.usnews.com/places​

Provides rankings and analysis of the best places to live in the United States based on factors such as job market, affordability, and quality of life.

3. Rental Demand

Look for markets with a high demand for rental properties, as this can help ensure a steady stream of rental income.

This includes areas with a high number of renters and areas with a low vacancy rate.

Rentometer: https://www.rentometer.com/​

Provides rental market data and analysis for thousands of cities and neighborhoods across the United States, including information on average rent prices and vacancy rates.

Zillow Rental Manager: https://www.zillow.com/rental-manager/market-trends/​

Put in your city or zip code to see high-level trends such as median rent price, market temperature, and change in rent over time.

4. Property Availability

Supply/Demand dynamics for real estate can significantly impact affordability.

Look for markets with ample properties available for purchase, as this can help you find the right investment property that meets your needs and budget.

Resources:

Local Real Estate Agents:

Local real estate agents can provide valuable insights into the number of properties currently for sale or rent and the demand for rental properties in the area. You can find a local real estate agent through websites such as Zillow or Realtor.com.

Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/​

Filter by location, price, and other criteria. Save your search so you can quickly look based on your own criteria. A bonus with Zillow is the ability to see both sales & rental listings.
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5. Government Regulations

Look for markets with landlord-friendly regulations, such as laws that make it easier to evict tenants who fail to pay rent or cause damage to the property.

Conversely, markets with tenant-friendly regulations can make it more difficult to manage rental properties and generate consistent rental income.

Resources:

National Association of Realtors: https://www.nar.realtor/law-and-ethics​

NAR provides information and resources on real estate laws and regulations at the national and state level.

Apartments.com: https://www.apartments.com/rental-manager/resources​

Provides resources and tools for landlords, including information on local landlord-tenant laws and regulations.

6. Location

Look for markets located in desirable areas, such as those with good schools, shopping centers, and public transportation.

Properties in high-crime areas or areas with limited amenities may be more difficult to rent out and generate less rental income.

Walk Score: https://www.walkscore.com/​

Walk Score is a website that rates the walkability of neighborhoods and cities based on access to public transportation, grocery stores, and other amenities.

Trulia Neighborhoods: https://www.trulia.com/neighborhoods/​

Trulia Neighborhoods provides maps and data on specific neighborhoods and cities, allowing you to assess the day-to-day life in an area.

TL;DR:

Look for markets with strong economic conditions, high rental demand, ample property availability, landlord-friendly regulations, stable rental demand, and desirable locations.

By carefully considering these factors, you can find the right market for your rental real estate investment and maximise your chances of success.

In this post, I’ll share 3 unique advantages of investing in rental real estate in a market you already visit frequently.

One of the biggest obstacles to getting started on your real estate investing journey is picking where to invest.

The most comfortable answer is usually wherever you live. You know the area well and may even have some contacts for repairs & maintenance issues.

Unfortunately as interest rates and home prices have both soared, most people find they can’t afford to invest in their home markets.

So, naturally, you are forced to look elsewhere if you want to invest. Luckily, there’s a whole country full of options.

Now I know looking at a blank map feels daunting…

But I have an idea for you that has served me well on my journey so far.

Why not start with somewhere you already visit frequently?

There are likely places you go that you’ve never considered investing in:

• Did you grow up in a smaller city or a less expensive market?
• Do you go visit your Grandparents once a year (insert city here)?
• Do you and your family travel to a specific domestic vacation destination every year?

Think of the places that you have real experience visiting and observing with your own eyes.

Now, most folks have the same fears when it comes to the idea of long-distance investing:

Market-specific risk: You don’t know what you don’t know.

• A market may appeal to you based on price-to-rent ratios, cash-on-cash returns or other fancy spreadsheet metrics. That’s great but there are so many “X factors” that will influence your investment’s long-term value.

Cost: Things add up quickly.

• Property management.
• Contractors & repairs.
• Potential travel expenses if something goes wrong.

Lack of oversight: We have all heard the old adage “Trust but verify”

• You can build remote teams on the ground, but the best way to truly know what is going on with your teams & properties is to see them with your own eyes.

Now let’s address those concerns from above and even uncover some amazing benefits.

Here are 3 amazing benefits of investing in a market you already visit regularly:

1: Tax Write-Offs:

If you already visit frequently, you may be able to write off significant portions of your travel expense as long as you perform real estate-related activities (always confirm with your CPA)

2: Day-To-Day Life:

Knowing what day-to-day life feels like will give you an edge in pricing your rental, placing tenants, and understanding trends in your market

3: Networking & Relationship Building

You’ll have an opportunity to build face-to-face relationships with your team members (agent, PM, lender, vendors, etc)

That sounds like a good deal to me…

In this post, I’ll share my 7 book recommendations to get you started strong in Real Estate Investing in 2024 and beyond.

These books contain useful information for investors of all experience levels.

It’s not news to anybody at this point that we live in an age of information abundance.

• There are over 6 million new blog posts every day across 1.9 billion global websites.
• YouTube averages 3.7 million new videos every day at an average length of 4.4 minutes!

This has been both a blessing and a curse to the curious mind, especially when it comes to where & how you invest your money.

The good:

• You can discern the equivalent of a college degree’s worth of information for FREE on sites like YouTube
• The world’s most influential creators often publish high-value content for free on their websites or newsletters

The bad:

• Deciding where to spend your precious minutes of free time is exhausting
• There is a lot of snake oil out there, ESPECIALLY in real estate investing

With all the content on the internet, it’s easy to forget about good old-fashioned books. But we didn’t forget, did we?

Thankfully, there are some incredible (and timeless) books to help you get started in real estate investing, all of which are less than $20.

Here are my top 7 book recommendations to start strong in 2024:

1. The Book on Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner

Brandon spent 10 years turning the BiggerPockets podcast into the #1 real estate show in the world. 

This book provides a comprehensive overview of ALL the high-level components of what it takes to be a Real Estate Investor.

If you only have time for one real estate investing book this year, this is the one I recommend.

Buy it on Amazon here or directly through the BiggerPockets store here.

The BP version comes with bonus video interviews and deal analysis tutorials.

2. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

This book has single-handedly inspired more people to dive into real estate investing than any other source. Through the power of storytelling, Kiyosaki illustrates just how powerful cash-flow investing can be.

You will walk away with an evolved mindset on how to make your assets work for you. There’s a reason this is the #1 cited real estate investing book in the world.

Buy on Amazon here or at the BiggerPockets Store here.

3. Long-Distance Real Estate Investing by David Greene

Most people look at their local real estate prices and say, “There’s no way I can afford to invest here.”

Greene gives you the full playbook in this book to buy, rehab, and manage properties long-distance so you can access more affordable markets.

Buy it on Amazon here or at the BiggerPockets Store here.

The book is cheaper on the BP store and comes with valuable bonus content.

4. Real Estate: By The Numbers by J. Scott & Dave Meyer

This book came out in October 2022 and immediately became one of my favourites.

If your eyes glaze over when you think about financial statements and deal analysis, this book will help you break the spell.

You will get a thorough rundown of the basics of real estate finance, as well as practical examples of how to use them in your daily life as an investor.

Buy it on Amazon here or at the BiggerPockets Store here.

The bonus content at BP is particularly valuable with this book. Excel templates, video walkthroughs, and property analysis deep-dives. Worth it.

5. The Book on Negotiating Real Estate by J. Scott, Mark Ferguson & Carol Scott

Yes…another dry topic…but I promise you this book is anything but dry.

There are hundreds of books on negotiation out there, but this is by far the most practical real estate negotiation book on the market. Every single negotiation principle is underscored with a real-life example.

You’ll learn that an offer is so much more than just a DocuSign envelope with a number on it. There is a real human element to negotiating real estate.

Learn to negotiate, and you will gain a much-needed competitive edge over the crowded field of RE investors.

Buy it on Amazon here or at the BiggerPockets Store here.

As with the others, the BP version comes with bonus content.

5. The Small & Mighty Real Estate Investor

This book is a top-to-bottom playbook for everyday investors who are looking for a simple, sustainable approach to real estate investing.

Author Chad Carson’s “Small & Mighty” philosophy is based on the idea that investors seek as few properties as possible to achieve their financial goals. This allows investors to build a lifestyle they enjoy without sacrificing the things most important to them such as their jobs & family.

It should come as no surprise that this has become one of my favorite books and a must-have for all real estate investors. 

7. Invest. Profit. Repeat. By Myself (Aaron Ameen)

Authored by me, this 27-page e-book shares a simple 7-step process to buy your first rental property. You can read this entire book in one short sitting and get straight to work..

Sharing my experiences and guidelines on investing, making good return on investment as profit and how to parlay it into steady income (Repeat)

Get the e-book for FREE Here

I hope this list provides you with some tools to cut through the noise and build your baseline knowledge in real estate investing.

It’s important to note that reading real estate investing books is not a prerequisite to investing in real estate.

I hadn’t read a single one of these books until after I owned 4 rental properties.

With that said, I would’ve had a stronger foundation and prevented some avoidable mistakes if I had.

Here’s to building & sharing our knowledge together in 2024 and beyond!

In this blog post, we’ll explore the world of real estate investing, shedding light on the concept of a Hybrid Real Estate Professional and why you should consider becoming one.

What is Real Estate Investing

Real estate investing involves the strategic acquisition, ownership, management, rental, flipping, or sale of properties with the primary objective of generating profit. This lucrative sector has consistently proven itself as a goldmine investment, meeting the fundamental human need for shelter while delivering substantial returns on investment.

Understanding the Hybrid Professional Concept:

In the face of economic uncertainties and escalating living costs, the concept of a “Hybrid Professional” emerges.

This innovative approach as explained by Dr. Sarabeth Berk in her book “More Than My Title” involves integrating multiple professional identities to work at the intersection, effectively mitigating the risks associated with singular skill focus.

This concept resonated deeply with me as I grappled with my own professional identities. Everything felt fragmented and disconnected, until I realized that there were intersection points between all my different identities.

For a long time, I was afraid to publicly acknowledge my passion for real estate investing. But after reading Dr. Berk’s book, a new spin on her concept was born.

The Hybrid Real Estate Professional.

The Hybrid Real Estate Professional seamlessly incorporates real estate investing into their skillset & income streams, all without disrupting their existing professions, businesses, or family life.

Benefits of Becoming a Hybrid Real Estate Professional:

1. Diversified Income: Real estate investments provide an additional income source, enabling professionals and business owners to diversify revenue streams beyond their primary source. The Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) report states that diversifying into real estate can enhance overall portfolio performance and resilience.

2. Tax Advantages: Enjoy various tax benefits, including deductions on mortgage interest, property depreciation, and operational expenses, resulting in significant tax savings. According to the Tax Foundation, real estate is one of the most tax-favored investment classes.

The most common scenario when owning rental properties is to have a “paper” loss on your taxes due to depreciation & other tax benefits, while having a positive “real” net income.

As a bonus, those “paper” losses can offset capital gains from other investment income such as the sale of stocks, bonds, or other securities.

3. Inflation Shield: Real estate has a long-standing track record as a reliable shield against inflation, effectively preserving purchasing power over time as property values ascend. Notably, data from the Yahoo Finance home value trend reveals a robust trajectory.

Over the past two decades, the average home price in the U.S. has surged from around $140,000 to approximately $340,000 as of April 2023, marking an impressive over 40% increase during this period. This underscores the resilience of real estate as an asset class capable of outpacing the erosive effects of inflation, making it a compelling choice for long-term wealth preservation.

Another inflation-related benefit rental income tends to rise with inflation, while your fixed-rate mortgage payment stays the same. As you continue to make fixed payments in an inflationary environment, buying power effectively increases over time as the real value of your debt diminishes.  

4. Long-Term Wealth Building: Real estate stands as a stable and appreciating asset, presenting a strategic, long-term approach to building wealth for lasting financial security. Insights from the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances underscore this, highlighting that the net worth of homeowners significantly surpasses that of renters.

The benefits of real estate investing often are felt later in the loan period. Your principal payment accelerates as your loan is paid down and your cash flow increases over time as rental rates rise. The long-term compounding effects of rental real estate are unrivaled, especially over a decades-long time-horizon.

How to Become a Hybrid Real Estate Professional:

1. Educate Yourself:  Start by immersing yourself in real estate investing education, including books, seminars, and online courses, particularly those led by a real estate investing coach, that provide structured learning opportunities targeted toward your goals.

2. Get a Coach: Consider hiring a real estate investing coach for personalized guidance, accountability, and support, accelerating your learning curve, and avoiding costly mistakes.

Yes, the information is available online. But finding a mentor who has done what you want to be doing that can help you with YOUR specific situation is worth the investment.

3. Develop Your Plan:  Create a detailed investment plan outlining target market, property criteria, financing, and exit strategies with the assistance of your coach. Work backwards from the outcomes you’re trying to achieve (EXAMPLES: time freedom, wealth accumulation, lower-pressure lifestyle) and craft your ideal strategy. This will enable the confidence to buy properties that support your goals, and the skills to tune out all the rest.

4. Start Small, Scale Up:  Begin with smaller investments to gain experience and confidence. Gradually scale up as you become more comfortable, receiving guidance and support from your coach at every stage.

In a world where “hyper-scaling” or going from “0 to 100 units in 2 years” is glorified, you must develop the discipline to pave your own path. For most people, this means starting small & scaling a pace that feels right.

Remember, a Hybrid Real Estate Professional often has other priorities such as a job, family, or outside interests to balance in with real estate investing. That means the lifestyle design is a crucial component of your strategy.

Conclusion:

Becoming a Hybrid Real Estate Professional isn’t just a financial decision; it’s a strategic move towards securing your financial future. By seamlessly integrating real estate investing into your professional life, you not only diversify your income but also open doors to a world of financial opportunities.

Ready to take the leap? Embark on this transformative journey with a real estate investing coach and watch as your financial success unfolds.