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HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOCATION FOR RENTAL PROPERTIES

Location is important in real estate investing. If you want to be a successful investor, you should learn how to pick the best place to buy property right now.

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How to Choose the Right Location for Rental Properties

Are you looking for the best place to buy property right now? Keep reading to find out which investment locations offer you the best potential.

Location is the most important of all factors to consider when investing in real estate properties. It determines whether your investment succeeds since it influences many other factors, such as availability, affordability, and demand for rental properties.

Table of Contents

  1. Tip #1: Know What to Look for
  2. Tip #2: Determine Your Investment Strategy
  3. Tip #3: Prepare a List of Potential Investment Locations
  4. Tip #4: Narrow Down Your List
  5. Tip #5: Use the Right Tool
  6. Importance of Knowing How to Choose the Right Location for an Investment Property
  7. The 10 Best Places to Buy a Long Term Rental Property Right Now
  8. The 10 Best Places to Buy a Short Term Rental Property Right Now

Just because a particular place is expensive doesn’t mean it’s automatically a good investment location. Similarly, just because another area is inexpensive doesn’t mean it will give you handsome profits.

Real estate investments are so location-specific that different neighborhoods within the same city may offer different returns on investment. The neighborhoods can also be suitable for different rental strategies.

Investing in the wrong location can compromise the desired investment and income goals.

But what makes a place suitable for rental property investment location?

In honesty, it depends. The best location for investment is subjective. What makes a good place for you may not be the best location for another investor. 

This blog will give you the best tips to help you choose the best investment location for your rental properties. 

Tip #1: Know What to Look for

As an investor, what should you watch out for when looking for the best location for your rental property investment?

Here are some characteristics that many outstanding investment locations share:

Employment and Job Growth

Rental properties are profitable when you buy a home in areas where people are looking for a place to live. Employment and job opportunities attract many people from wide and far who come to look for ways to earn a living.

Great investment locations for rental properties enjoy low unemployment rates and high job growth rates. 

For example, let’s assume you buy a rental property in a city with only one factory. If the factory happens to shut down or relocate, your investment will suffer since many people will look elsewhere for employment. This results in many vacancies, rental rate declines, and slower appreciation rates.

If your city is home to many factories and employment opportunities, then the local economy is booming. Residents can afford to rent properties since they’re earning a consistent income.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when looking for a city with excellent employment and job trends:

  • Are the number of jobs increasing or decreasing?
  • Is the median salary growing?
  • What are the main types of jobs available for the residents?
  • Are there diverse job opportunities, or do the jobs only come from 1-2 industries?

Keep in mind that no place is entirely perfect. Not all locations can tick all the boxes. You want to find one with an ideal balance of low unemployment rates, diverse job opportunities, a rising median salary, and a mix of worker types.

If anything happens, a mix of all these factors will protect your investment from a disruption in the economy.

Low Supply of Rental Properties

We mentioned that you need to consider the supply and demand law when looking for a suitable place for rental property investment. The best locations experience a high demand but a limited supply of rental properties.

Investing in such a city gives you the freedom to set a higher rental rate since there’s minimal competition.

However, keep in mind that while a city may see a low supply of rental properties at first, there can be projects or changes that can increase the competition in the future.

Also, low supply doesn’t necessarily mean the area is a perfect place for investment. Many factors can make the city less suitable than you may think.

That’s why it’s important to carry out a comprehensive market analysis before investing. You want to analyze every single factor that comes to play when choosing an investment location. We’ll be looking at how to conduct such an analysis in a few.

Population Growth

Great cities for rental property investment reflect a healthy population growth rate by natural growth or immigration. Many people want to live where they can find employment and make money. As such, such places experience a constant flow of residents who move into such areas in search of opportunities.

Be on the lookout for factors that may lead to an increase in population numbers. Besides the availability of jobs, other factors influencing population growth include good weather and affordable housing. Favorable government policies and natural attractions are also vital.

Population growth and immigration are intertwined with the economy since they drive economic growth. In addition, a growing population boosts the demand for rental housing. 

Moderate Price to Rent Ratio

The price to rent ratio is one of the most important metrics for real estate investors to consider before investing in any place. Investors and real estate professionals use this metric to determine whether it’s more practical to buy or rent in a particular location.

A low price to rent ratio indicates that the place is more suitable for buying than renting. Conversely, a higher ratio means that property purchase prices are higher than rental rates, so renting may be more favorable.

Here’s a breakdown of what different price to rent values can tell you:

  • From 1 to 15: Buying a property is better than renting one
  • Between 16 and 20: There is a healthy balance of housing affordability and rental rates
  • Above 21: Renting is more practical than buying a house

Here is the formula to calculate the price-to-rent ratio:

Price to Rent Ratio = Average Property Price / Average Annual Rental Income

For example, if the average property price in a certain location is $300,000 and the average annual rental income is $15,000, the price-to-rent ratio is 20. It means that this city is more favorable for renting than buying.

While locations with a high price to rent ratio may be more suited for renting than buying, you should still exercise caution. They may not always be optimal for rental property investment. 

Breaking even is more challenging when the average property prices are too high compared to the average annual rent. The return on investment is lower compared to cities with moderate price to rent ratios.

Small-Scale Characteristics

We’ve seen the different large-scale characteristics of the best place for rentals. However, there are other small-scale characteristics to consider when looking for best place to buy property right now. 

These characteristics include:

Low Crime Rates

Everyone wants to live in a secure neighborhood. A high crime rate will negatively affect your investment. Your occupancy rate will remain low, forcing you to lower your rental rates. Besides, it will be harder to find a willing buyer when you decide to sell.

You also don’t want to risk vandalism and property theft. Great locations suitable for rental property investment have low crime rates.

Access to Public Transport

Proximity to public transportation should be a major factor when looking for a suitable rental property investment location. Access to public transport provides easy travel options to the city center, commercial and residential areas, and other neighborhoods and cities. 

It is extremely helpful for tenants who commute to work or school daily. The tenants also want to access entertainment and recreational joints easily.

A good public transportation system also boosts the appeal of a neighborhood to renters, therefore boosting the rental property demand. 

Public Amenities

Neighborhoods ideal for rental property investment offer plenty of public amenities, such as shopping malls, parks and playgrounds, and dining outlets. The amenities increase your property’s appeal to renters since they don’t need to travel long distances to access them.

Favorable Landlord-Tenant Laws

Many investors forget to consider local laws and regulations when investing in rental properties. You don’t want to buy a rental in an area where the laws always favor the tenants. Find a place where the rules are reasonable and fair in case there’s a dispute between the landlord and the tenant.

Also, get to understand what you’re required to do before leasing out your property. Some authorities will require you to obtain a license, pay an annual subscription fee, get a yearly property inspection, and even install smoke detectors.

Try to understand the laws as much as you can to avoid running into any legal issues in the future. What should you do if the tenant defaults on multiple rent payments? What does the eviction process look like? Are you required to give the tenant the first right should you decide to sell?

Tip #2: Determine Your Investment Strategy

The first step to choosing an investment location the right way is determining your investment strategy. No two real estate markets are the same. New York and Las Vegas differ from Houston, which is also different from Sacramento.

Some of the best investment strategies for investors who want to buy rental properties include:

Buy and Sell Strategy

As the name suggests, this strategy involves buying a rental property ready for occupation at an affordable price and selling it immediately for a handsome profit. The buy and sell strategy works in a market where buyer demand is higher than tenant demand. 

You also need to stay on top of the real estate market trends. The strategy becomes profitable when you’re able to tell when property prices might rise. It also helps you offload your investment when you predict housing prices coming down in the near future.

Buy, Fix, and Sell

Also known as fix-and-flip, the buy, fix, and sell strategy involves finding properties that need work, fixing and rehabbing them, and then selling them for profit after renovations. 

The strategy isn’t always as easy as they portray on TV reality shows. You must be a savvy investor who understands what it takes to fix and sell a home. You must know contractors who’ll get the job done at an affordable rate and also know where to buy inexpensive renovation materials.

In addition, you must be able to sell the home as fast as possible after renovations. The more the house stays in your hands, the more you spend on upkeep. 

In short, you must possess some experience to estimate a property’s fair market value and the cost of renovations. Besides, you need sufficient capital to get the project done on time.

It is why the strategy isn’t always the best for beginners. But if done right, it’s one of the most profitable strategies.

There are many variables to consider when looking for the best market for fix-and-flip projects.

The best locations for the buy, fix, and sell strategy are popular markets with high inventory for fix-and-flip homes and equal or greater demand from homebuyers. If the number of listed properties is low in a market, there may not be sufficient demand for homes to make a fix-and-flip project profitable.

Remember that while some markets experience a high demand for property, the buyers may be price-sensitive. You must understand the market’s “magic price point.” It will help you buy the property at a lower price and keep the renovation costs under control. If you can’t keep the entire project within a reasonable market price range, it may not be worth it.

Buy, Use, and Hold

The buy, use, and hold strategy involves buying a property, renting it out as you wait for its value to appreciate, and then selling it for profit. It is an excellent medium to long term investment strategy since properties often take a while to appreciate.

With the buy, use, and hold strategy, you need to find an area with high rental demand. You don’t want to get stuck paying for expenses on an unoccupied property. Also, focus on areas with higher appreciation potential. The said factors will help you minimize the associated risks.

Short Term Rental Buy-and-Hold

Short term rentals continue to increase in popularity among investors. It is because they offer a higher potential monthly income compared to long term rentals. Investors are free to set their desired nightly rate and use the property for personal reasons at any time.

The short term rental buy-and-hold strategy involves buying a rental property, fixing it if it needs any renovations, furnishing it, and then renting it out as a short term rental. Many short term rental investors list their properties on home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo.

The best investment locations for short term rentals are cities near tourist attractions such as mountains, forests, national parks, zoos, hiking trails, leisure parks, ski resorts, and many others. 

College and business towns also make great short term rental locations, especially if they attract high numbers of students and business professionals visiting.

Ideally, invest in areas with a high demand for short term rentals. The greater the demand, the more bookings you’ll likely get throughout the year.

Here are some pointers on how to spot the best short term rental investment location:

High Occupancy Rates

Occupancy rate is a metric for short term rental property demand in an area. Tourist, medical, business, and student cities tend to have a high demand for such properties. As such, these sites experience high short term rental occupancy rates.

Why does buying rentals in a location with a high occupancy rate make sense?

A high occupancy rate means the city receives a constant influx of guests throughout the year. It also means that most guests prefer short term rentals to hotel rooms.

High Return on Investment

A consistent flow of guests throughout the year is only half of the equation. To determine which areas make the best short term rental investment locations, you must decide how much nightly rates you want to generate from your investment.

Again, a nightly rate isn’t a static metric either. A wise short term rental investor will consider how each area charges through the week and weekends and how the rate varies during peak and off seasons.

Once you’ve determined this, seek to establish the rental expenses you’ll need to pay for owning and operating the short term rental. These costs are crucial to ascertain whether you’ll earn a positive or negative ROI.

Local Short Term Rental Regulations

When Airbnb became a thing, travelers could easily find accommodation without hassle. Investors jumped on the bandwagon due to the potential of making higher returns from what was once considered risky. As a result, many long term rentals were converted to short term rentals.

Local authorities foresaw a decline in local culture if most of their residents were replaced by tourists. They didn’t want their cities to turn into tourism theme parks instead of the admired cities of culture they were.

To protect the local community’s interests, authorities passed laws to regulate the short term rental industry. While some places banned the rentals outright, some imposed strict regulations with dire consequences for investors who failed to adhere.

For example, some authorities limit the number of nights an investor can rent their property as a short term rental in a year. Others require you to obtain registration and annual licenses as an Airbnb host.

As such, the best investment locations for short term rental investors are those that allow such rentals. Steer clear of places that are not Airbnb-friendly. Avoid falling into legal trouble down the line.

Long Term Rental Buy-and-Hold

Even though short term rentals are becoming popular, long term rentals are still an ideal investment. Investors still choose long term rentals since they assure them of a consistent monthly income.

The long term rental buy-and-hold strategy involves buying a rental property and carrying out any needed fixes. They then rent it out to long term tenants who pay monthly or annual rent based on the rental agreement.

The strategy works best in locations with a growing population, low unemployment rate, and low housing supply. 

In addition, the location must come with amenities to make the lives of long term tenants easier. Good schools, healthcare facilities, grocery stores, parks, restaurants, entertainment joints, and many other conveniences and necessities should be present.

Tip #3: Prepare a List of Potential Investment Locations

Based on your preferred real estate investment strategy, preparing a list of some potential locations becomes easier. Before looking at possible locations, prepare a list of criteria to customize your search. 

They include:

  • Distance: The distance will help you narrow down your search to areas or neighborhoods that are your preferred distance from your chosen city.
  • Time Zone: You can choose locations in your preferred time zone. It is extremely important since investing in a city within the same time zone as your home location makes it easier to coordinate operations.
  • Median Property Price: Median home prices will help you choose locations that align with your budget. There’s no need to work hard to grow a list of potential investment cities only to find out later that some are way beyond your budget.
  • Potential Returns: Every investor has a financial goal at the back of their mind. It’s crucial to establish whether a location will help you meet your goals or not. Seek to establish what estimated monthly rental income, cash flow, and return on investment the area offers.
  • Personal Preference: Your preference is another factor you should to consider. For example, if you live in a cold region, you may want to buy a vacation rental that you can use as a second home in a warmer area. Some investors also prefer to buy short term rentals in states they love to visit at least once every year.

A list of potential investment locations helps you narrow down to the best city worth your time and money. 

Tip #4: Narrow Down Your List 

It’s time to select the best location from your list based on your investment strategy. This calls for a thorough market analysis, also known as a comparative market analysis (CMA).

Many sellers conduct a CMA to avoid seeing their property sit on the real estate market for extended periods. Holding onto a property you want to sell for more than you’d like is expensive since you must pay for the expenses and mortgage payments out of your pocket.

On the other hand, a CMA is vital for buyers since it helps them ascertain whether they’re getting a fair deal. No one wants to end up paying more than what a property is worth.

Unfortunately, many investors don’t give this process much thought. But you need to know that CMA separates successful investors from those who fail and quit.

Investors who hear about the said process may choose to hire a real estate agent to perform this analysis for them. The only problem is that CMAs aren’t taught in real estate licensing schools. The good thing is that the process isn’t as complicated as you might think. 

You can do it yourself by simply conducting a comprehensive neighborhood analysis. What features of the neighborhood make it attractive to renters? Which streets are the most attractive? Does the place have anything that may shun potential renters away? What amenities do the residents enjoy? 

While you can use Google Street View to see these things, the images there could be outdated. But Mashvisor provides a tool for you to use.

Neighborhood Analysis

The Mashvisor platform helps investors discover locations that align with their goals and requirements. Conducting a neighborhood analysis on Mashvisor is easy since we offer a massive database that covers almost every location in the 2023 real estate market.

How do you perform a neighborhood analysis?

Once logged in to Mashvisor, simply enter your location of choice in the search bar. You can enter an address, city, town, or zip code. Upon clicking “Search” or pressing the Enter button, a page will load, showing you a map of the area.

To get the most out of this tool, activate the heatmap settings in the drop-down menu in the top left corner. It allows you to see how that particular neighborhood performs under the following categories:

  • Property listing price
  • Long term rental income
  • Long term cash on cash return
  • Short term rental income
  • Short term cash on cash return
  • Short term rental occupancy rate

The heatmap will then be activated and show you how the market performs based on the selected filters. Areas represented by the color green perform well, while red regions are the opposite.

Tip #5: Use the Right Tool

Now that you know what to look for when choosing the right location for rental property investment, how do you go about it?

Many investors, especially beginners, may choose to buy rental properties in their home areas since they might be familiar with the dynamics of the market. However, exploring the potential in other markets is always recommended.

Investing in other markets is always great if you’re looking to expand your investment portfolio. Besides, there’s always a chance to leverage an undervalued market with excellent economic and population growth potential.

But one of the most common problems investors face is that they don’t know how or where to start. While investing in an unfamiliar market may be unsettling for many, it’s pretty straightforward and stress-free when you know how to do it.

What Tool Can Help You Find the Best Place to Buy Rental Property Right Now?

At this point, going through the process of selecting the best place to buy property right now isn’t easy. Manually doing it can be highly nerve-racking and time-consuming. Besides, it can lead to inaccurate findings.

For this reason, you need to use the right tools for the job. Mashvisor provides the right tool for such a purpose in the Market Finder.

As Mashvisor’s latest brainchild, the Market Finder gives you an aerial view of the US real estate market to help you spot the best locations for rental property investment. It enables you to identify the best investment opportunities in and out of your state.

The tool allows you to zoom in and out of the place you’re interested in to comprehensively analyze what it can offer. It also gives you access to many other Mashvisor tools to help you do the search for a profitable rental property investment location more time- and cost-friendly.

For example, it uses a heatmap to visually show how a specific neighborhood performs as an investment location for both long term and short term rental strategies. With this tool, you can spot which areas to buy properties in and which to avoid. More on Market Finder’s heatmap tool a little bit later.

How to Use the Market Finder

One of the main features that Mashvisor prides itself in is usability. Users who have never encountered our tools can seamlessly log in and analyze markets. You won’t experience any issues navigating the site and tools.

Follow the simple steps below to start using Mashvisor’s Market Finder:

Step 1: Log on to Mashvisor and access your user’s dashboard. Once you’re in, click on Search Markets to load the Market Finder page.

Step 2You’ll see a map of the US housing market with blue labels and numbers on them. The numbers indicate the number of markets under long term or short term rental investment strategies. Select one rental strategy to set your search category.

Step 3: Start exploring a market by manually entering any location of your choice in the search field or clicking on any blue label on the map. Once you enter the place on the search bar or click a blue label, the map will zoom into the particular market. You can adjust the view by zooming in or out.

Step 4: Click Top Markets on the upper part of the display to go back to the nationwide view to look for other potential investment markets.

How to Customize My Search on the Market Finder

The Market Finder tool comes with various filters to help you customize your search and market analysis. The filters included include:

  • Mashmeter Score: Mashvisor uses this to rank locations from A (the highest) to D (the lowest). You can select one score or all to understand each neighborhood’s performance.
  • School Rankings: This filter shows how each neighborhood ranks based on its educational institutions.
  • Regulatory: This filter helps you see areas with strict regulations and which ones are friendly to investors and landlords.
  • Crime and Safety: This filter will help you see which neighborhoods are safe and which to avoid due to security issues.
  • Property Type: You can use this filter to customize your search based on your preferred property type. The options include condos, townhouses, single-family homes, or multi-family properties.
  • Home Value: This filter lets you select a range of values to see which markets have properties within your budget.
  • Monthly Rental Revenue: Use this filter to show locations that meet your monthly rental income expectations. Use the slider and select the minimum amount you would like to receive from your rental property.
  • Occupancy Rate: This filter shows locations with your desired minimum occupancy rate. Use the slider to select your preferred minimum occupancy rate.
  • Cap Rate: This filter lets you see areas with a cap rate that falls under the given range. The lowest cap rate you can choose is between 2% and 4%.
Setting the Above Filters

Step 1: Besides the search bar, locate the Filters button and click on it. It will slide a sidebar from the right part of your display to reveal the above filters you can use to customize your search. 

Step 2: Pick any filters you’d love to use to set your requirements, then click the Apply Filters button at the window’s bottom right corner.

You can check which filters are active by clicking the Active Filters button above the Top Markets sidebar.

Understanding the Mashmeter Score

Many Mashvisor users need help understanding the Mashmeter Score and what it says about a neighborhood.

For starters, the Mashmeter Score is a neighborhood evaluation system designed by Mashvisor to rank neighborhoods based on their “investability.” It’s a system built on machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence to help you spot desirable investment locations in a matter of minutes.

The Mashmeter Score is based on a few metrics, such as:

  • Average returns
  • Occupancy rates
  • Overall market health

The above ranking system works for both long term and short term rentals. It helps you identify markets that align with your search requirements using criteria such as listing price, crime rate, occupancy rate, and cap rate.

You can call it Mashvisor’s neighborhoods valuation system for long term and short term rental properties.

The Mashmeter Score is presented in percentage (%) to allow you to compare neighborhoods easily and optimize your returns.

Look at the ranking if you want to base your market search and investment decision on a single number.

How to Use Market Finder’s Heatmap Tool

Firstly, it’s essential for you to understand that the heatmap tool helps you to visually determine how a particular neighborhood performs as an investment place. Powered by the Mashmeter Score, you can customize your market search using Mashvisor’s filters to see a location’s potential.

Here’s how to use the heatmap tool on the Market Finder:

Step 1: Type a city or neighborhood in the search bar or click on any blue labels in the US real estate market map.

You may need to click another blue label to zoom in more on the map. Once you’ve zoomed in fully, you will see dots or bubbles in different colors. Each of the colored bubbles represents a certain market, while every color corresponds to the Mashmeter Score.

Step 2: Hover your cursor on any bubble you wish to inspect. It will help you see what a particular neighborhood offers.

Click View Market Details to reveal the Market Overview tab on the right side of the display. The tab gives you an insight into what that particular area has to offer rental property investors.

Step 3: Compare the neighborhoods by clicking on different bubbles. 

Note that the heatmap functions like a weather report. It lets you see which areas are performing well under certain conditions and which ones to steer clear of. 

The greener the area, the better the area’s performance based on the Mashmeter Score. Places on the opposite end of the red spectrum don’t perform well.

You can click on different bubbles to make an objective comparison between different markets.

Mashvisor’s Market Finder lets you find the best place to buy property right now as it shows you which markets have the most investment opportunities.

Understanding the Market Overview

The Market Overview is the best resource for investors who want to gain a deeper insight into a particular neighborhood and what it has to offer.  It appears in a sidebar once you click on a specific colored dot on the Market Finder map. This section contains the following information: 

  • Optimal Strategy: This shows you the best rental strategy for the location. It also includes the city’s Regulatory Ranking to show you whether it is friendly for vacation rentals.
  • Migration Trend: This shows you the neighborhood’s quarterly migration trend.
  • Housing Supply: This shows you the number of property listings for sale vs. the number of days they are listed.
  • Properties for Sale: This section shows you the number of listed properties available for sale in that area.
  • Rental Strategy: This shows you the number of rental properties in that market under both short and long term rental strategies. Click on both tabs to see the differences between them.
  • Optimal Property Types: This shows which property types and the number of bedrooms have the highest returns potential in that market.
  • Occupancy and Average Revenue: This section will show you the historical data for the occupancy rates and average revenue for the past 12 months. You can customize your search to look deeper into each data. Click on the drop-down menus to select the property types and number of bedrooms and see the data for comparable properties.

Sign up on Mashvisor today with a 7-day free trial to start using the Market Finder tool.

The Market Overview tab lets you easily compare neighboring markets in a particular location to make your search for the best place to buy property right now much easier.

Importance of Knowing How to Choose the Right Location for an Investment Property

When asked, most real estate experts will agree that the three most important aspects that will determine the success of your real estate investment are location, location, and location.

Why is there so much fuss when it comes to the best location to buy property right now?

Location Is Constant

Once you’ve bought your rental property, there are many things you can change except your location. You can always carry out renovations and improvements on most of your property features. 

You can buy new furniture or change the paint color to improve the property. Also, you can even make the home larger or smaller. But you can’t change the property’s location.

Once you’ve invested in a place, you’re stuck with it until you decide to offload your investment. It is why it’s important to get it right in the first place.

Location Determines Profitability

Two things to be aware of in a location are the supply and demand of and for rental properties. The higher the demand and the lower the supply, the higher the rental rates you can charge. The higher the rental income, the more profitable the investment.

And it doesn’t only determine income. It also determines how much rental expenses you get to pay to own and run the rental property. In turn, it influences whether your investment yields a positive cash flow.

Location Determines the Optimal Rental Strategy

Most landlords usually consider buying short term rentals since they offer a higher potential rental income. Others choose long term rentals since they come with lower risk and an assured monthly rental income. 

What many investors fail to realize is that your investment place also determines what rental strategy makes more financial sense to invest in.

For example, a city near many tourist attractions and with many entertainment joints and events makes it suitable for short term rentals. 

Another city with many industries and employment opportunities means many people looking for a place to stay for extended periods. Such a city is more suitable for conventional rentals.

Location Determines Rate of Appreciation

The location of the property will determine its potential to increase in value in the future.

When it happens, appreciation will typically affect certain areas or markets, and it will rarely happen on a large scale or affect a larger market.

When learning to choose the best place to buy property right now, you will want to pick a location, such as a neighborhood or a city, with growth indicators and expected to develop. It shows the potential of real estate properties in the area to appreciate.

When choosing the place, try to look for markets with strong growth in their employment rates or a high average household income. Find out if major development projects are taking place, such as new transportation projects. 

Such markets often offer a much higher potential for appreciation, resulting in bigger profits on your investment.

Seasonality

Depending on the location where you’re buying properties, your rental property’s performance can vary drastically from season to season. It is something that you should take into consideration when planning your investment.

For example, if you’re investing in a summer vacation rental, you should expect the peak performance of your property to take place during the summer season. So, it wouldn’t make sense to increase the rental rate during the winter season.

It is an aspect of the location that you should always consider in the planning phase of your investment. The seasonality of the place is one of the major aspects you should consider when determining your rental income.

Another example of considering seasonality is when buying a rental property in a college town. In college towns, rental properties typically experience a much higher vacancy rate during the summer, when students return to their hometowns or travel.

Location Determines Your Target Tenants

The property’s location will also determine the type of tenants you will want to attract to the property.

For example, if you’re investing in a rental property in a college town, it might not make sense to market your property to married couples or families. Instead, your best option might be to market your property as an accommodation for college students or a residence for the college staff and teachers.

When choosing the best place to buy property right now, you should always consider your target tenants and the location’s demographics. Find out whether they are the ideal tenants for you and your business.

The 10 Best Places to Buy a Long Term Rental Property Right Now

At this point, we’ve already looked at why choosing the right location for rental properties is essential and how you can pick the best place to buy property right now. 

Now it’s time to look at some of the best places to buy long term rental property in 2023. The following list is based on Mashvisor’s latest market report as of April 2023. Also, the cities listed here meet the following criteria:

  • Median property price below $1 million
  • With at least 100 traditional listings
  • Monthly long term rental income above $2,000
  • Long term rental cash on cash return of 2% and above(sorted from highest long term rental cash on cash return to lowest)
  • Price to rent ratio of at least 20

Let’s look at the best cities for the best property rentals, ranked from the highest to lowest cash on cash return:

1. Ormond Beach FL

  • Median Property Price: $554,452
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $307
  • Days on Market: 102
  • Number of Long Term Rental Listings: 206
  • Monthly Long Term Rental Income: $2,290
  • Long Term Rental Cash on Cash Return: 3.22%
  • Long Term Rental Cap Rate: 3.26%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 20
  • Walk Score: 52

Ormond Beach is located just eight miles North of Daytona Beach. It’s a quiet and elegant haven city enhanced by the natural scenery in Florida. Residents love living in Ormond Beach since they get to focus on living in the moment.

The real estate market in Ormond Beach is booming due to its proximity to good schools, healthcare facilities, good restaurants, shopping outlets, and many others. Besides, there are diverse options for real estate investors and renters to choose from.

Whether you’re looking for a townhouse, waterfront, beachfront, golf front, luxury home, or single-family property, Ormond Beach is the best place to buy property right now.

2. Tampa FL

  • Median Property Price: $637,707
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $591
  • Days on Market: 94
  • Number of Long Term Rental Listings: 2,145
  • Monthly Long Term Rental Income: $2,588
  • Long Term Rental Cash on Cash Return: 3.20%
  • Long Term Rental Cap Rate: 3.25%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 21
  • Walk Score: 46

Tampa is one of the best places for long term rental property investment in Florida. It’s an attractive metropolitan area with a strong potential for economic and population growth.

According to Norada’s 2023 forecast of the Tampa market, it has demonstrated a strong appreciation rate of 9.1% in the past year. Zillow predicts property prices will increase by 2.3% between February 2023 and February 2024. Due to the high appreciation rate, more than half of Tampa’s population comprises of renters.

When it comes to employment opportunities, the Tampa area is the second-highest provider of private-sector jobs in Florida. According to the Census Bureau, the average per capita income in Tampa is $40,962, higher than the national average of $37,638.

Tampa’s cost of living is also relatively low compared to other big cities in the US. 

The climate in Tampa is warm and favorable all year round. It attracts residents who want to move from other cities with extreme weather.

3. Cape Coral FL

  • Median Property Price: $585,570
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $309
  • Days on Market: 93
  • Number of Long Term Rental Listings: 1,407
  • Monthly Long Term Rental Income: $2,224
  • Long Term Rental Cash on Cash Return: 3.19%
  • Long Term Rental Cap Rate: 3.23%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 22
  • Walk Score: 79

Cape Coral is popular with real estate investors and tenants since it’s more affordable compared to other cities in Florida, such as Miami and Tampa. It’s an attractive market for both first-time buyers and seasoned investors.

The city boasts a growing population that continues to boost demand for rental properties. With the limited housing supply, investors can expect to find tenants within a short time.

Florida is also known for being a tax-friendly state. Residents and investors enjoy relatively low property taxes, no state income tax, and no estate tax. Besides, the laws are landlord-friendly.

For example, the law limits tenants from withholding rental payments and allows landlords to charge high late fees. The eviction process is also relatively fast. So if you’re looking for the best place to buy property right now in Florida, look no further than Cape Coral.

4. Wilmington NC

  • Median Property Price: $509,012
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $393
  • Days on Market: 63
  • Number of Long Term Rental Listings: 133
  • Monthly Long Term Rental Income: $2,057
  • Long Term Rental Cash on Cash Return: 3.17%
  • Long Term Rental Cap Rate: 3.21%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 21
  • Walk Score: 30

Located on the Coast, Wilmington, NC, is home to a diverse and stable economy. The city is a regional hub for vital services, such as health services, one of its largest employers. There’s also a large telecommunications sector, a UNC college campus, and a community college.

The city boasts a low unemployment rate of about 3.2% as of March 2023, according to the website YCharts. Many businesses and companies are moving here due to the low cost of operations.

North Carolina also attracts real estate investors due to the favorable property tax rates. Fintech company SmartAsset reports the average rate comes in at 0.70%, which is way below the national average of 0.99%. However, the median property value is also lower than the national average.

It means you’ll pay an even lower property tax rate in the affordable Wilmington City real estate market.

5. Peoria AZ

  • Median Property Price: $548,741
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $275
  • Days on Market: 21
  • Number of Long Term Rental Listings: 319
  • Monthly Long Term Rental Income: $2,242
  • Long Term Rental Cash on Cash Return: 3.12%
  • Long Term Rental Cap Rate: 3.16%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 20
  • Walk Score: 62

Peoria in Maricopa County is one of the fastest-growing real estate markets in Arizona State. The market is diverse and offers something for everyone. 

There are high-value properties in private neighborhoods for investors looking for luxury homes. There are also entry-level homes for those looking for beginner-friendly rental properties.

The economy in Peoria is booming thanks to the city’s proximity to Phoenix. The unemployment rate in Peoria is 5.8% which is lower than the country’s 6.0% average. The job market has increased by 3.3% over the last year and is expected to grow by 32.5% in the next decade, which makes it the best place to buy property right now.

There are many companies and businesses providing employment for the residents. The industries are also diverse, from high-tech to the service industry. Peoria is also home to two main school districts. 

Peoria has many amenities and recreational facilities, such as the Lake Pleasant Regional Park, Arrowhead Towne Center & P83 entertainment district, hiking trails, restaurants, community parks, and dog parks.

6. Atlanta GA

  • Median Property Price: $559,022
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $1,709
  • Days on Market: 73
  • Number of Long Term Rental Listings: 2,778
  • Monthly Long Term Rental Income: $2,290
  • Long Term Rental Cash on Cash Return: 3.11%
  • Long Term Rental Cap Rate: 3.17%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 20
  • Walk Score: 43

Atlanta, Georgia, is one of the most popular locations for investors. The city’s experienced exceptional growth in the past few years and is now regarded as one of the best cities for long term rental property investment. 

There are many reasons why you should invest in Atlanta, from its diverse culture to its booming economy. To start with, Atlanta is Georgia’s economic center and capital city. Georgia is also ranked as one of the ten most productive states contributing to the country’s annual GDP with a $713 billion GDP.

The city has a lot of potential for real estate investors to explore. It offers a good return on investment for investors who put their money in long term rentals.

In addition, Atlanta is easily accessible by air, rail, and road. Since it’s located at the heart of the Southeast, the city’s accessibility makes it the best place to buy property right now for residents who travel frequently.

7. Dallas TX

  • Median Property Price: $614,284
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $476
  • Days on Market: 17
  • Number of Long Term Rental Listings: 5,724
  • Monthly Long Term Rental Income: $2,519
  • Long Term Rental Cash on Cash Return: 2.91%
  • Long Term Rental Cap Rate: 2.96%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 20
  • Walk Score: 48

Dallas TX is one of the fastest growing cities in the US, and for some good reasons. It boasts a growing population, a robust economy, and a diverse real estate market. The city offers excellent opportunities for both residential and commercial real estate investors. 

Interestingly, Dallas is known for affordable housing compared to many other big cities in the US, making it the best place to buy property right now in  the county. Housing demand is up, leading to an increase in home values. As a result, many Dallas residents want to rent instead of buy.

Dallas offers a favorable environment for business, encouraging many corporations to move their operations to the city and boosting demand for long term rentals for employees.

Besides, the city is a major transportation hub with airports, such as Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, and major interstates and freeways.

The real estate market in Dallas also demonstrates positive trends. The home values and rental rates have risen steadily over the past few years. Norada reports that as of February 2023, the median property prices increased by 1.8% compared to February 2022. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington home values, on the other hand, went up by 5.5% in the past year.

This trend is expected to continue, making Dallas the best place to buy property right now for long term rentals in 2023.

8. Phoenix AZ

  • Median Property Price: $610,904
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $329
  • Days on Market: 10
  • Number of Long Term Rental Listings: 2,600
  • Monthly Long Term Rental Income: $2,319
  • Long Term Rental Cash on Cash Return: 2.90%
  • Long Term Rental Cap Rate: 2.93%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 22
  • Walk Score: 35

Phoenix, AZ, is a top long term rental investment location since it attracts residents for people who don’t want to live in expensive cities such as Seattle and Los Angeles. It’s an attractive market that has become increasingly popular with real estate investors, making it the best place to buy property right now.

Phoenix boasts a growing population, a strong economy, a wide range of amenities, and diverse opportunities for those looking to buy real estate. Besides, it also offers a perfect balance of high housing demand and supply of affordable housing.

This city is a major transportation hub. It is home to a busy international airport and major highways connecting it to many other major cities in the Southwest. It boosts its appeal to businesses and residents, driving demand for real estate.

9. Alexandria VA

  • Median Property Price: $714,118
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $1,523
  • Days on Market: 57
  • Number of Long Term Rental Listings: 1,836
  • Monthly Long Term Rental Income: $2,883
  • Long Term Rental Cash on Cash Return: 2.87%
  • Long Term Rental Cap Rate: 2.90%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 21
  • Walk Score: 58

Alexandria, VA, is often referred to as a hidden gem. Many experts and investors sideline the city when talking about nearby markets, such as Washington, DC, and Arlington. As far as the best place to buy property right now in Virginia, Alexandria is one of the top spots in the state.

One of the main benefits of investing in this city is its location. It’s located just 20 minutes from Washington, DC, and is considered part of the DC metro area. It means a large number of your tenants can be people working in DC but want to avoid DC’s expensive rent and lifestyle.

A transit system connects Alexandria to DC, making it easy for residents to get to work and visit surrounding areas seamlessly. In addition, there are three metro stops in the city. Residents who don’t like traffic and the rush hour can hop to the nearest metro and go to the big city hassle-free.

Due to its proximity to DC, natural beauty, convenience, and welcoming atmosphere, new residents constantly flock to Alexandria in search of affordable housing.

10. Denver CO

  • Median Property Price: $680,050
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $444
  • Days on Market: 46
  • Number of Long Term Rental Listings: 262
  • Monthly Long Term Rental Income: $2,278
  • Long Term Rental Cash on Cash Return: 2.39%
  • Long Term Rental Cap Rate: 2.42%
  • Price to Rent Ratio: 25
  • Walk Score: 58

Denver, CO, is the best place to buy property right now for long term rental property investment for so many reasons. It presents all the great signs of a favorable market for rental properties.

Denver strikes a perfect balance between a high demand for rental properties and a low supply of housing. Since it’s home to large national forests and mountainous areas, new developments are limited. As such, rental prices continue to rise at a higher rate compared to other cities.

The economic and employment growth rate in Denver is quite encouraging. For many years, the unemployment rate in this city remained below the national average. The leading employers in Denver are in the technology, aerospace, and oil industries.

Denver is also relatively landlord-friendly. For example, you can promptly begin the eviction process if your tenants default on payments. There are also no laws that bar you from rekeying your property after evicting tenants. All the said laws help protect your investment.

In addition, according to CBS Colorado, Denver City ranks high in desirability, getting 12th place out of 150 metro areas for well-being and 33rd for desirability.

The 10 Best Places to Buy a Short Term Rental Property Right Now

If you’re looking for the best place to buy property right now, we have listed ten locations for you based on Mashvisor’s latest market report in April. The listed cities meet the following criteria:

  • Median property price below $1 million
  • With at least 100 Airbnb listings
  • Monthly short term rental income above $2,000
  • Short term rental cash on cash return of 2% and above(sorted from the highest short term rental cash on cash return to the lowest)
  • Short term rental occupancy rate of 50% and up

The cities below are ranked in descending order in terms of cash on cash return:

1. Harvey LA

  • Median Property Price: $341,114
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $156
  • Days on Market: 49
  • Number of Short Term Rental Listings: 1,029
  • Monthly Short Term Rental Income: $3,944
  • Short Term Rental Cash on Cash Return: 8.27%
  • Short Term Rental Cap Rate: 8.42%
  • Short Term Rental Daily Rate: $202
  • Short Term Rental Occupancy Rate: 56
  • Walk Score: 52

First on our list is Harvey, LA. This city is the best place to buy property right now because it is home to hoards of attractions and activities for tourists who love small cities with an atmosphere you don’t typically find in large cities.

Your guests can enjoy child-friendly activities at the Airborne X Adventure Park or get good coffee at Big Sexy Neon. They can also go on a spiritual trip at the Haus of Hoodoo and the Museum of Southern Jewish Experience. 

As a short term rental investor in Harvey, it’s important to note that the busiest month is February, followed by January and March. November is the most dormant month.

We ranked the city first here on our list due to its high daily rate, monthly rental income, and return on investment.

2. Columbia MO

  • Median Property Price: $273,020
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $132
  • Days on Market: 151
  • Number of Short Term Rental Listings: 289
  • Monthly Short Term Rental Income: $2,837
  • Short Term Rental Cash on Cash Return: 7.78%
  • Short Term Rental Cap Rate: 7.98%
  • Short Term Rental Daily Rate: $145
  • Short Term Rental Occupancy Rate: 56
  • Walk Score: 30

Located in central Missouri, Columbia City is often known as “Missouri’s Athens” due to its classical and archeological beauty. CoMo, as most locals love referring to it, is the best place to buy property right now for short term rentals due to the high ROI compared to the relatively low property prices.

Attractions such as the Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, Shelter Gardens, and Shryocks Callaway Farm will ensure you receive a good number of bookings and enjoy a high occupancy rate throughout the year.

Besides, you can lease out your short term rental property to students and professors visiting the University of Missouri.

3. Columbia Heights MN

  • Median Property Price: $292,297
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $150
  • Days on Market: 24
  • Number of Short Term Rental Listings: 314
  • Monthly Short Term Rental Income: $3,693
  • Short Term Rental Cash on Cash Return: 7.69%
  • Short Term Rental Cap Rate: 7.83%
  • Short Term Rental Daily Rate: $159
  • Short Term Rental Occupancy Rate: 57
  • Walk Score: 82

Columbia Heights is located in Anoka County or Minnesota State. This city receives a constant flow of guests throughout the year due to its various tourist attraction sites and activities.

The highlight of the tourist attractions in Columbia Heights is the Minnesota Zoo, where visitors can see an animal show and an aquarium. Other attractions include the Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, and Lake Calhoun.

This city is also accessible since Minnesota State Highways 47 and 65 are the main routes into the city.

4. Bar Harbor ME

  • Median Property Price: $621,900
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $402
  • Days on Market: 113
  • Number of Short Term Rental Listings: 297
  • Monthly Short Term Rental Income: $6,594
  • Short Term Rental Cash on Cash Return: 7.68%
  • Short Term Rental Cap Rate: 7.75%
  • Short Term Rental Daily Rate: $321
  • Short Term Rental Occupancy Rate: 65
  • Walk Score: 77

Bar Harbor is a small touristy town on Mount Desert Island. It’s located along Maine’s Frenchman Bay. It receives a high number of visitors all year round since it’s a gateway to the cliffs and mountains of the Acadia National Park, one of the most visited national parks in the country. This makes Bar Harbor the best place to buy property right now in Maine.

This city is known for its stunning scenery, coastal beauty, and yachts and lobster boats. The breathtaking view can range from the glimmering sunshine to thick fog and mist. Most visitors who come to Bar Harbor want to enjoy a laid-back atmosphere and appreciate relationships and nature before returning to their regular lives.

Other attractions in the town include the College of the Atlantic, Jackson Lab, Wild Gardens of Acadia, Abbe Museum, and Agamont Park.

As a short term rental host in Bar Harbor, you can expect a high booking rate during the summer. Spring and fall may also bring in bookings from guests trying to avoid crowds and high prices.

5. Harpers Ferry WV

  • Median Property Price: $406,010
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $243
  • Days on Market: 54
  • Number of Short Term Rental Listings: 120
  • Monthly Short Term Rental Income: $3,719
  • Short Term Rental Cash on Cash Return: 6.11%
  • Short Term Rental Cap Rate: 6.19%
  • Short Term Rental Daily Rate: $177
  • Short Term Rental Occupancy Rate: 51
  • Walk Score: 0

Harpers Ferry is one of the most picturesque towns in West Virginia. The town boasts so much history and breathtaking beauty packed in a small area.

One of its main attractions is the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, which houses three miles of the Appalachian Trail, bringing in thousands of visitors each year. Other attractions include John Brown’s Fort, Jefferson Rock, Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers, and John Brown Wax Museum.

After visiting museums, hiking the nature trails, and white water rafting, the guests will need a place to rest and re-energize for the next day. Your short term rentals will do great in Harpers Ferry.

6. Portsmouth VA

  • Median Property Price: $266,549
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $161
  • Days on Market: 51
  • Number of Short Term Rental Listings: 221
  • Monthly Short Term Rental Income: $2,263
  • Short Term Rental Cash on Cash Return: 5.13%
  • Short Term Rental Cap Rate: 5.25%
  • Short Term Rental Daily Rate: $156
  • Short Term Rental Occupancy Rate: 50
  • Walk Score: 27

Portsmouth is an independent city located in the southeast of Virginia. It’s ranked 10th in Virginia in terms of population and is one of the cities that form the Hampton Roads metropolitan area.

Portsmouth is a great destination for lovers of history, architecture, and art. Must-see attractions for visitors include Olde Towne Portsmouth, Naval Shipyard Museum, Hill House Museum, Commodore Theater, and the Children’s Museum of Virginia.

Nature lovers can also visit the Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve, enjoy the sunset on the Elizabeth River Boardwalk, and take the Elizabeth River Ferry.

7. Gainesville GA

  • Median Property Price: $543,404
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $2,639
  • Days on Market: 84
  • Number of Short Term Rental Listings: 163
  • Monthly Short Term Rental Income: $4,251
  • Short Term Rental Cash on Cash Return: 5.10%
  • Short Term Rental Cap Rate: 5.17%
  • Short Term Rental Daily Rate: $247
  • Short Term Rental Occupancy Rate: 50
  • Walk Score: 84

Gainesville is the capital city of Hall County in the State of Georgia. The city is commonly referred to as the “Poultry Capital of the World” due to the large number of poultry processing plants located here. Some people also call it the “Queen City of the Mountains” and “Hospitality Capital of the World, which came when the city hosted the 1996 Olympic kayaking/rowing events.

The city’s attractions are mainly for athletic and sports purposes. The 38,000-acre Lake Sydney Lanier provides many recreational opportunities, such as kayak and canoe rentals at Olympic Avenue. It also hosts Road Atlanta, which is a road-racing course renowned worldwide for hosting the Petit LeMans every year.

Visitors can also visit other attractions, such as Atlanta Botanical Garden, Elachee Nature Science Center, The Arts Council, Quinlan Visual Arts Center, and the Northeast Georgia History Center.

8. Saugatuck MI

  • Median Property Price: $858,504
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $448
  • Days on Market: 52
  • Number of Short Term Rental Listings: 159
  • Monthly Short Term Rental Income: $5,944
  • Short Term Rental Cash on Cash Return: 4.66%
  • Short Term Rental Cap Rate: 4.70%
  • Short Term Rental Daily Rate: $343
  • Short Term Rental Occupancy Rate: 51
  • Walk Score: 63

Saugatuck is a city located in Allegan County, Michigan State. It’s home to the world-acclaimed Oval Beach and boasts over 12 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. With over six pristine beaches, you can rest assured that your vacation rentals in the city will receive a reasonable booking rate throughout the year.

Other attractions include the Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Mount Baldhead, Clearbrook Golf Club, Saugatuck Chain Ferry, Kalamazoo River Lighthouse, and the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center. In addition, there are several diverse art galleries, such as the Saugatuck Center for the Arts.

One more reason Saugatuck is on our list of the best cities to buy short term rentals is that it’s only two hours away from Chicago. Its proximity to Chicago makes it a quick destination for people who want to escape the city.

Besides, it also offers a high potential monthly rental income.

9. Bryson City NC

  • Median Property Price: $402,414
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $288
  • Days on Market: 170
  • Number of Short Term Rental Listings: 295
  • Monthly Short Term Rental Income: $2,724
  • Short Term Rental Cash on Cash Return: 4.42%
  • Short Term Rental Cap Rate: 4.49%
  • Short Term Rental Daily Rate: $208
  • Short Term Rental Occupancy Rate: 60
  • Walk Score: 57

Many towns bordering the Great Smoky Mountains tend to cater to many tourists. But Bryson City sets itself apart as a peaceful retreat with fewer man-made attractions. Simply, it is a small adorable mountain location with a lot to offer.

Bryson City is one of the best towns for family and romantic getaways, outdoor lovers, and nature enthusiasts. Visitors can hike the Appalachian Trail and engage in whitewater rafting on the Tuckasegee River.

Other attractions include Clingmans Dome Observation Tower, Deep Creek Trail, The Road to Nowhere, Blue Ridge Parkway, and Fontana Lake. Additionally, all the said attractions are accessible through scenic roads.

It’s easy to see why a vacation rental property in Bryson City can have major appeal to visitors and vacation-goers. You might want to buy larger homes with the right amenities to maximize your potential return on investment.

10. North Las Vegas NV

  • Median Property Price: $412,200
  • Average Price per Square Foot: $227
  • Days on Market: 75
  • Number of Short Term Rental Listings: 249
  • Monthly Short Term Rental Income: $2,874
  • Short Term Rental Cash on Cash Return: 3.88%
  • Short Term Rental Cap Rate: 3.93%
  • Short Term Rental Daily Rate: $218
  • Short Term Rental Occupancy Rate: 58
  • Walk Score: 68

North Las Vegas, NV, is the best place to buy property right now for investors who want a second home in a relaxing place to escape the day-to-day lives in Las Vegas. Being the fourth largest city in Nevada, it’s a perfect balance of the best of two worlds. It is close enough to all the fun in Las Vegas but far away enough to have its own identity.

The city mainly attracts nature lovers who visit the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It’s home to eclectic hiking trails that go through the red sandstone cliffs with amazing views of the lush green valleys below.

Other attractions in North Las Vegas include the Aliante Nature Discovery Park, The Planetarium, SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium, the Left of Center Art Gallery, and the Kiel Ranch Historic Park.

It’s beyond doubt that North Las Vegas attracts millions of visitors, assuring you of good returns throughout the year. However, the state of Nevada imposes strict regulations when it comes to short term rentals. 

You might want to work with a local real estate agent who understands the Nevada real estate market well before making a buying decision.

Bottom Line

In real estate investing, location is everything. Learning how to choose the right place to invest in can determine the success or failure of your investment.

Before you can begin your journey in real estate investment, you first need to know what to look for when choosing the best place to buy property right now. Some indicators of a good location for rental property investment include population and economic growth, and low unemployment rates. Add to the list the high demand for housing and a low supply of properties.

Once you’ve kept the above factors in mind, you can start looking for a lucrative location to buy a rental property. Start by defining your investment strategy and then prepare a list of suitable sites based on your chosen strategy. Once you have a list of potential locations, narrow the list down by conducting a comprehensive comparative market analysis.

As you can tell, manually conducting the process isn’t easy. You need to use the right tools for the task. This is where Mashvisor comes in.

Mashvisor helps you to drastically improve your chances for success in finding the right location to invest in. Our Market Finder tool saves you a lot of time and effort that you would otherwise spend on doing a market analysis and collecting data for each market or neighborhood. 

Besides, we provide numerous other tools, such as the Property Finder and Dynamic Pricing tool, to help you make smart investment decisions.

Schedule a demo today and see what Mashvisor’s tools can do for you!

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Kabue Muriithi

Kabue Muriithi is an experienced writer with years of experience covering various aspects of the real estate industry. He values delivering powerful content that provides the utmost value to audiences.

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