BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast

The Best Markets to Buy Rental Properties Right Now (2025)

Jan 24, 2025

Henry Washington, a savvy real estate investor and market analyst, joins the discussion to reveal the hottest rental markets for 2025. He explores undervalued areas like Columbus and Indianapolis, emphasizing key metrics such as job growth and affordable prices. The conversation highlights 'sleeper' markets, and a burgeoning chip-making hub in the Midwest, forecasting significant returns. Listeners also learn about prime cities that are budget-friendly, making wise investments accessible even for novices.

36:04

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Henry Washington

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Quick takeaways

Oklahoma City and Huntsville, Alabama showcase strong economic growth with affordable prices and above-average rent, appealing to investors.

Analysts recommend focusing on population growth and job opportunities in key Midwest markets to ensure successful rental property investments.

Deep dives

Identifying Key Markets for Real Estate Investment

Several promising markets for rental property investment in 2025 have been highlighted, emphasizing the importance of selecting areas where the median home price is at or below the national average, while median rents are above average. For instance, markets like Oklahoma City and Huntsville, Alabama, exhibit strong economic growth and job opportunities, showcasing a balance between affordability and potential rental income. Analysts stress focusing on fundamental data points such as population growth, median home prices, and unemployment rates as critical indicators of a market's health. By narrowing down options to three or five solid markets, investors can avoid overthinking and make informed choices based on robust economic fundamentals.

Intro

5min

Promising Real Estate Markets: OKC and Huntsville

7min

Investment Insights: Columbus and Indianapolis

9min

Exploring Affordable and Prime Rental Markets for 2025

5min

Exploring Key Rental Markets for Investment

7min

Navigating Real Estate Markets: Insights and Resources

3min

New to real estate investing? Stuck in an area with expensive housing prices or not-so-landlord-friendly laws but want to buy real estate? We’ve got you covered. We’re sharing our favorite 2025 real estate markets for rental property investing, many of which are so affordable even a real estate rookie will have no trouble buying in. But these aren’t just cheap markets; they all have strong fundamentals that drive appreciation and rising rents.

We brought the market-picking experts, Ashley Kehr and Henry Washington, back to the show to share their picks and see how they compare to Dave’s. We’ve got “sleeper” markets that are growing but fly under the radar, a new Midwest manufacturing hub that will soon become one of America’s most prized chip-building markets, and the next boom city with great jobs and even better cash flow.

Then, we’ll share bonus affordable markets for those who don’t have much money to start. Got some more cash saved and looking to buy in a big city with big upside potential? We’re listing the three big cities we’d happily call home and invest in, with phenomenal housing market metrics and much more affordable prices than New York, Seattle, and the other “big” real estate markets.

In This Episode We Cover:

The best rental property markets of 2025 that sport appreciation, cash flow, and affordable prices

Why Henry thinks this “unsexy sleeper” market could be a phenomenal place to buy

The chip-manufacturing Midwest market that could see massive growth

One market with a booming economy but still very affordable home prices

The “big” cities we’d buy in that are poised for growth and home price appreciation

How to find the perfect market for YOU to invest in (free data on HUNDREDS of markets)

And So Much More!

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