In order for a specific market to be considered a target area for us, there are a few requirements that must be met. Our goal is to find and invest in homes with long-term value. Long-term value for us means the home is in a desirable location, the schools are above average, there is healthy population growth, and the city has an economy that is versatile and stable.

Below are some of the areas we feel through our market analysis have met our investing guidelines.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Median Gross Rent: $1028
• Unemployment Rate: 4.5%
• 101 universities and colleges
• Vacancy Rate: 6.97%
• Current home prices are 18% below peak home prices in 2009 and starting to recover
• Over 300 healthcare facilities

Palm Beach, Florida

• Real estate prices have risen 22.5% since 2013
• Population Growth of 7.8% over the last 5 years
• Median Gross Rent: $1700
• Median Household Income: $53,242
• 2015 median price of $208,000 is 36% less than 2009 peak of $325,000
• Real estate laws favorable to landlords

Birmingham, Alabama

• Unemployment rate: 5.2%
• Rated Top Ten Best Downtowns of 2014
• Ranked most affordable city in America in 2015
• 3011 jobs projected to be added this year
• $370 million pledged in capital investments by 79 companies within Birmingham
• Grandview Medical Center opened October 2015

 Playas/Salinas, Ecuador

• Ecuador ranked #1 spot to retire in the world by Forbes in 2015
• Cost of living is very inexpensive
• Ecuador utilizes the U.S. dollar as their official currency
• Beachfront condos available for $100,000
• GDP growth of 4.54% annually since 2000
• World-class medical facilities

Cuenca, Ecuador

• Dependable public transportation
• Significant government sponsored tax incentives for retirees
• Supportive and steadily growing expat community
• Direct flights servicing Ecuador from multiple cities in the U.S.
• Favorable climate year-round

Barcelona, Spain

• Home prices in 2015 are 46% less than peek prices in 2007 and have just started to recover
• 4th ranked GDP among European cities
• Premier public transportation
• Highest quality standard of living
• Spanish residency granted for investors making $500,000 property investment

 Real estate target area resources;
Select Greater Philadelphia
Wall Street Journal
https://www.theearthawaits.com/
Forbes – Birmingham/Salinas/Cuenca
Birmingham Business Alliance
Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches
Census Bureau, Florida
Census ACS data
Instituto Nacional de Estadistica (INE)

Disclosure