In today’s episode of Uncontested Investing, we dig into one of the most powerful tools at your disposal as a real estate investor: data. It’s not just about crunching numbers, it’s about making smarter, faster, more strategic decisions in a market where the margin for error is razor-thin.
We break down how investors can use both free and paid data tools to spot trends, find deals, set optimal rental rates, and avoid costly mistakes. From migration patterns to ZIP-code-based labor rates, they share real-world ways to let data guide your portfolio growth.
If you’re still relying on your gut, this episode is your wake-up call.
Key Talking Points of the Episode
00:00 Introduction
01:16 What patterns tell us (vacancy, rent shifts, migration)
02:34 How market influences can change your buy box and strategies
04:03 Property-type trends and market adaptability
05:35 Free tools: Zillow, Redfin, Rentometer, Census.gov, HUD
07:20 Paid tools: CoStar, PropStream, Roofstock, AirDNA, Dwelling
09:22 Local tools: Agents, REIAs, county offices
11:02 How data can help you identify emerging markets
12:01 Avoiding emotional buying with consistent criteria
13:03 The cost of ignoring data: overpaying for properties
15:06 Analysis paralysis: when too much data kills the deal
17:00 Why you need to use data alerts as an investor
18:14 Weekly rent comps and rent optimization
19:31 Balancing rental increases with tenant retention
20:23 Manual tracking: using spreadsheets for micro-market analysis
Quotables
“Use the data to take emotion out of it. You’ll never get a wrong answer when math is leading the way.”
“Census.gov will smack you in the face with the truth. It’s not customizable—it’s real.”
“One bad deal early can drive a new investor right out of the game. Data helps you avoid that.”
Links
RCN Capital
https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast
https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/
REI INK
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