6 Hottest Real Estate Markets For 2026 (And 6 To AVOID)

Jan 29, 2026

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In this episode, Toby Mathis, Esq., sits down with 3,700+ unit operator Aaron Adams to discuss the six hottest real estate markets for 2026 and six markets to avoid. They cover the economic factors driving real estate growth, including GDP expansion, potential interest rate decreases, and tax bill impacts. Aaron shares his top picks: Kansas City (benefiting from Oracle's massive $28 billion Cerner acquisition), Idaho Falls (emerging nuclear technology hub), Charlotte (continued banking sector growth), the Winston-Salem triad area (affordability with five universities), and Indianapolis (steady lockstep growth in rents, wages, and prices).
On the flip side, they discuss why to avoid Chicago (high property taxes, population decline), San Francisco (rent controls, tenant protections), Detroit (60% population loss, aging infrastructure), New York City (landlord-unfriendly policies), Los Angeles (high acquisition costs, poor cash flow), and Austin (overbuilt multifamily, high insurance and taxes). They also cover the strategy of investing in smaller cities within 30-40 miles of hot metros to capitalize on growth while maintaining affordability. Tune in for expert insights on where to invest for cash flow in 2026!

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