学习从人口普查统计资料来分析具体地产市场的可行性

These days it is quite easy go gather information from the internet. So I would like you to follow me to analyse these few examples, to demonstrate how to select the relevant information at a glance and make your decisions. 

Now open up my random number generator to generate a few zip codes...

1. 48529

Open citydata to access the page http://www.city-data.com/zips/48529.html. What do you see?

The first plots give you an immediate picture about the population: mature, not too much mobility, flat real estate market. SFH about $50k, AGI 33k, and rental percentage of 38%, which means a good balanced market for rentals at the lower end. 
You might expect a large percentage of renters on welfare.

You also see the racial profile(85 % white), which at least won't scare a lot of people away. 

Next you see the median rent paid, about $550. That's the killer. This low level of rent is the sign of high vacancy (although you don't find the vacancy rate at this site). If there is not money to be made, there is no point to consider other issues such as crime and risk... Skip this one (keep this page open since I want you to compare with the next one).

2. 60505( some one mentioned this area near Chicago earlier today)

What do you see? Immediately big differences.

Much younger population, crashed real estate market. Current average value of $60k. AGI 45k and rental ratio 39%, 75% Hispanic. Rent level $700. 

Since this is still pretty at the bottom of the crash, it is safe to buy in low, hold for the market to rise, and realize the profit. The rent level indicate decent vacancy rate so you can have some positive cash flow.

Killer for this one: high taxes (3k). Not good to hold for too long.

3. 17532

Flat population and market. Average value 200k. AGI 60k, 95% white. Rental 13% (generally not a rental market)  Median rent 550. Average tax 2.4k

Decision: Neither a good flip market nor a good rental market. However, there might be a niche for renting to single individuals at good locations since the rental resource is scarce. But you have to gather more information to see if this hypothesis is true.

Need another example? Give me a break...