The Role of Location in Real Estate Investing: Should You Relocate to Succeed?

Location, Location, Location – How the Moving Industry Shapes Real Estate Investing

The results are in, and the latest report by the US Census Bureau paints an interesting picture. According to the American Community Survey released in 2024, less Americans are choosing to move – but the amount of Americans choosing to relocate to a different state stays much more consistent.

That’s not all the Census Bureau can tell us. According to the US Census Bureau’s Vintage 2023 estimates, some regions of the US are seeing serious migration, and some regions are seeing quite the number of departures. Where were people leaving from? California and New York. And while the Census data doesn’t tell us why they’re getting out of town, it’s easy to imagine: High property prices, a steep cost of living, and several high-profile crimes and social issues that would be a topical minefield for an article like this.

Of course, when people leave town, they also need a destination. Of all the regions in the United States, the South has seen the greatest influx. States like Florida and Texas are seeing high numbers of new arrivals, and while the census data doesn’t tell us why folks are moving in, either, we’ve got a few ideas. There’s lower taxes, affordable homes, and a surprising amount of work opportunities. 

The Data Doesn’t Lie. But What is it Trying to Say?

Americans changing where they live is nothing new. In fact, since the Census Bureau started keeping track of migration patterns, the percent of Americans who relocate has been hovering at around 12% of the population each year. What the data does tell us, however, is that some markets are hotter than others. Fortunately, the moving industry is taking strides to catch up to demand, and make it easier than ever for people to relocate to the next trending market.

In this article, we’ll take a look at how American migration can affect real estate investing, and we’ll also take a look at some key insights from the team at iMoving. For a bit of context, iMoving is a free-to-use online moving platform that lets customers shop, compare movers, and book relocations entirely online. They’ve been in the moving field for over a decade, and they pulled from customer feedback, moving records, and their own industry knowledge to shed some light on moving trends and the real estate market.

What the Trends Mean for Real Estate Investing

If you’re trying to get into real estate investing – or if you’re just trying to get into a house for the first time in your life – the migration data can point you in the right direction. Locations experience boom-and-bust cycles, whether they’re cities, counties, or entire states. It’s important to think about where people want to head next, and where people are trying to get away from – especially if you’re trying to see a return on your investment.

People go wherever they can afford to live. And as long as homes are affordable in location A and unaffordable in location B, the migration trends will continue in that direction. Some investments are hard to justify: the median home price in Los Angeles is $953,000, according to Zillow. Yet according to the US Census data on county-by-county migration, LA county saw more than 119,000 people leaving in 2022-2023 alone. Unless you’re fishing for millionaires or really hoping to cash in on that $2,750 average monthly rent, real estate investing in LA means a high barrier for entry, and an uphill battle to break even.

Then there’s places like Houston, Knoxville, and Atlanta – with Zillow-provided median home prices of $263,000; $350,000; and $388,000 respectively. That’s an easier market to break into, and it’s a hotter market to break into, as well. The South saw the most arrivals in the Census Bureau’s latest findings, and if homes continue to be unattainable for the everyman everywhere else, the arrivals will continue.

If you want to make money through different types of real estate investments, you need to know where people are moving. You also need to know how they’re getting there in the first place.

People Keep Moving, and the Moving Industry is Making it Easier

While different cities experience their own boom-and-bust cycles, one thing’s always for certain: people will need movers to get to the new trending location. Packing up and moving houses is one of the major stumbling blocks for folks who want to move to a new city like Miami or state like Arizona. But with recent changes in the moving industry, that stumbling block is getting smaller and smaller.

The usual booking-and-moving process involved filling out information over and over again, for every moving company on a customer’s radar. It also involved doing a ton of homework to figure out what movers were legit, and what movers were actual scammers. But to make the most of the changing migration trends of Americans, the moving industry is focused on making it easier and easier for people to pack up and leave house.

iMoving is just one example. Rather than forcing customers to make several phone calls (and even deal with in-home inspections for accurate estimates), the team at iMoving moved the entire process online. If people want to move from Los Angeles to Houston, they can shop for movers, and book them in just a few clicks.

Whether you’re relocating or considering investment opportunities, understanding regional markets is key. Aspiring professionals should consider getting licensed where market trends direct, especially in bustling urban environments. With heightened mobility in the current real estate landscape, acquiring a New York real estate broker licensing could be your gateway to capitalizing on opportunities within dynamic sectors like New York City’s property market.

Follow the Moves, Find the Market

The Census Bureau can tell us many important things about where people are headed, and it can also tell us where people are leaving. Having the information is one thing, but actually using it to your advantage is a different matter. Fortunately, moving companies are taking steps to make relocating easier – which makes it easier to invest in trending housing markets, as well.

If you’re trying to get started with real estate investing, or if you’re just trying to get into a starter home, there’s no easier time to get on the road. Check out the US Census Bureau’s data on American migration, and get in touch with a mover you can trust to get you there in the first place.