These 10 regions have the best real estate prospects for investors | National

The national housing market has been hotter than ever in recent years as markets across the country have faced housing shortages and price increases that have made it difficult for average buyers to compete. A perfect storm of low mortgage rates, a nationwide shift to a teleworking culture, and other pandemic-induced factors have only fueled the fires in most markets. In other words, finding the hidden real estate gems for buyers is difficult.

This is especially true for investors who need to compete not only with one another for the more desirable properties, but also for the masses of new buyers who are now in the home market. In addition, there have been widespread moratoriums on foreclosures, evictions, and a serious shortage of new build projects that cannot meet demand in most markets. All of these events together result in a recipe for a housing shortage – and a very unusual housing market for everyone involved.

While it may be more difficult to buy investment property these days, it is certainly not impossible. In fact, there are certain markets where the real estate outlook is prime – and savvy investors should keep an eye out. Curious what these markets are? ZeroDown analyzed data on 10 cities with the best prospects for real estate investment in 2021 and beyond using data from the Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2021 report, compiled by PwC and the Urban Land Institute. The trends in this report are based on interviews and surveys with over 1,600 people who either work in real estate consulting, investment, lending or real estate development. These individuals rated 80 markets (Figure 2-1) based on local economic and housing factors as well as national trends and the impact of COVID-19.

Some of the statistics used to rank the markets (Appendices 2-14 and 2-15) are listed in this story using data from the IHS Markit Forecast, the US Census Bureau, the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Walk Score, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) / Wells Fargo and CoStar. The two indices used in the data are the Walk Score and the Housing Opportunity Index. The Walk Score is calculated by analyzing the accessibility of various addresses and the closest amenities. The Housing Opportunity Index analyzes the proportion of apartments sold that were affordable for people with the median household income in this metropolis.

These 10 markets offer unique factors, from excellent schools, to high walking ability ratings and other regional perks that are likely to attract residents for years to come. When looking for your next big move, these hidden gems should be given special attention. What Investors Should Know About The 10 US Markets With the Best Real Estate Outlook.