Intermediate terms

Essential Local Market Research Terms

This curated collection includes key terms that might be helpful when exploring local markets and neighborhoods for investment. It focuses on how to research specific areas to understand their potential for growth, appreciation, and rental demand. These terms were selected based on common questions and areas where investors often need clarity.

Learning Path

Net Operating Income

Net Operating Income (NOI) is a key real estate metric representing a property's annual income after deducting all operating expenses, but before accounting for debt service, income taxes, and capital expenditures.

Intermediate11-12 min

Due Diligence

Due diligence is the critical process of investigating and verifying all material facts about a property and its financials before a real estate acquisition, aiming to identify risks and ensure an informed investment decision.

Intermediate14-15 min

Rental Demand

Rental demand is the total number of prospective tenants actively seeking rental properties in a specific market, directly impacting occupancy rates and rental prices.

Beginner4-5 min

Comparative Market Analysis

A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is an informal estimate of a property's value based on recently sold, active, and expired listings in the same area, used by real estate professionals to help buyers and sellers determine a competitive price.

Intermediate15-18 min

Economic Indicators

Key data points that reveal insights into the current and future health of an economy, used by real estate investors to forecast market trends, assess risk, and inform investment decisions.

Intermediate13-14 min

Cash-on-Cash Return

Cash-on-Cash Return (CoC) is a real estate investment metric that calculates the annual pre-tax cash flow generated by a property as a percentage of the total cash an investor has invested.

Intermediate15-18 min

Appreciation

Appreciation in real estate is the increase in a property's market value over time, leading to a profit for the owner when sold or refinanced. It is driven by market forces, economic growth, and property improvements.

Beginner12-13 min

Job Market Analysis

Job market analysis is the process of evaluating employment trends and economic health in a specific area to forecast its impact on real estate demand, property values, and rental income for investors.

Beginner5 min

Rental Comparables

Rental comparables are recently rented properties similar to a subject investment property, used to determine optimal rental prices, forecast income, and assess market demand.

Intermediate5 min

School District

A geographical area managed by a local government entity responsible for public education, significantly impacting property values, rental demand, and investor decisions in real estate.

Beginner5-6 min

Development Potential

Development potential refers to a property's capacity to be improved, expanded, or redeveloped for a higher and better use, thereby increasing its value and utility for real estate investors.

Intermediate13-14 min

Vacancy Rate

The vacancy rate is the percentage of all available rental units in a property or market that are currently unoccupied or not generating income, serving as a key indicator of a property's financial health and market demand.

Beginner13-14 min

Gentrification

Gentrification is the process of renovating and improving a neighborhood, attracting more affluent residents and businesses, which often leads to the displacement of existing lower-income communities due to rising costs.

Intermediate8 min

Out-of-State Investing

Out-of-state investing involves purchasing and managing investment properties in a different state from your primary residence, often to access better market opportunities or higher returns.

Intermediate8 min

Capitalization Rate

The Capitalization Rate (Cap Rate) is a real estate valuation metric used to estimate the potential rate of return on an investment property, calculated by dividing its Net Operating Income (NOI) by its current market value.

Intermediate14-15 min

Population Growth

Population growth is the increase in the number of people in a specific area, a key indicator for real estate demand, property values, and rental income potential.

Beginner5 min

Demographics

Demographics are statistical data about a population, such as age, income, and household size, used by real estate investors to understand market demand and make informed investment decisions.

Beginner5 min

Walk Score

Walk Score is a numerical rating from 0 to 100 that measures the walkability of any address, indicating how easy it is to live car-free based on proximity to amenities.

Beginner2 min