What Separates One Great Region From The Others?
Posted @ 8:23 pm - Filed under Real Estate Investing, Financing, Leverage, Capital Growth, Austin
It’s never just one thing, it’s a long list of tasty morsels, like a great meal. Here’s my recipe for a great growth region stew
— my real estate investor’s wish list.
Before you we start mixing the ingredients, there’s an assumption of long term movement in prices. This doesn’t mean there won’t be downward blips. More simply put, it means down the road, prices will be up on the chart.
Solid job market — diversified — and growing.
Low vacancy rate, coupled with growing tenant demand, and dwindling supply. (One can always hope.) 
Rent levels allowing for prudent leverage, while ensuring the investments will be self-sustaining.
A predictably increasing population — with a median age younger, rather than older, if possible. 
At least one university, but the more the merrier. I believe there’s a direct correlation between median educational level and a region’s general quality of life. Higher education almost always equals higher median income.
Several different communities within the region — with their own distinct, unique identity.
A climate without extremes. We an stand hot, but not 118˚. We understand winter is cold, but let’s try to stay above 0˚ OK? Spring and fall are pretty cool everywhere — a lot better in some places.
We really like areas with, relatively speaking, very low crime. If our 20-something daughters can walk the streets safely at night, we’re good to go.
Outdoor recreation opportunities. Golf courses — hiking & camping — water sports — you get the idea. Several outdoor recreational choices should be within 20-60 minutes drive time.
Culturally, there would ideally be great nightlife everywhere. Theater, clubs, fine restaurants of all kinds, concerts in large and intimate venues, standup comedy, and all the rest you and I would love to have available.
Sports — It never hurts to have at least one local team to root for. As long as the fans are into it big time, it’s a major plus. Sports teams tend to become a common denominator shared by diverse groups.
Although not required for success, a region known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere is better than the alternative.
It would bring to mind San Diego — around the mid-1980’s or so — yeah, that’s the ticket.
From what I’ve seen — first hand — this region exists — and they call it Austin.
Don’t miss it — the current window won’t last forever.
Tick-Tock.
This entry was posted on Monday, October 29th, 2007 at 8:23 pm and is filed under Real Estate Investing, Financing, Leverage, Capital Growth, Austin. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
