How to Measure and Understand Your Market, Regardless of Location

BiggerPockets Blog
Published: December 19, 2025
Pricing & Profitability

Summary

This article emphasizes the importance of understanding hyperlocal real estate markets for STR success, moving beyond city-level analysis. It outlines three market personalities (appreciation, cash flow, and hybrid) and provides actionable steps for evaluating markets based on factors like DOM, price-to-rent ratio, and local wages, helping hosts make informed decisions about their investments and strategies.

Key Insights

  • The article identifies three main market personalities: appreciation markets (high growth), cash flow markets (reliable income), and hybrid markets (both).
  • Strong rental corridors often fall below 16 on the price-to-rent ratio.
  • School zone rating changes can impact ARV by $50,000-$150,000.

Action Items

  • Study local wages to ensure your rent expectations are realistic.
    Effort: low
    Impact: high
  • Analyze DOM, finished comps, and price ceilings to understand retail buyer behavior.
    Effort: medium
    Impact: high
  • Determine the market personality (cash flow, appreciation, or hybrid) before investing.
    Effort: low
    Impact: high

Tools & Resources

  • Express Capital Financing: The article is presented by Express Capital Financing.

Common Mistakes

  • Don’t force a flip strategy into a cash flow neighborhood, or try BRRRR in areas with no spreads.

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