/compare-markets

Compare Real Estate Markets

ARGUMENTS: Optional comma-separated list of markets (e.g., "Austin, Phoenix, Nashville")

Instructions

When this command is invoked, perform a comparative market analysis:

1. Collect Market List

Use AskUserQuestion to gather 2-5 markets to compare (skip if provided via ARGUMENTS):

• City or metro area names
• Example: "Austin, TX", "Phoenix Metro", "Nashville-Davidson"

2. Load Reference Material

Read the market analysis reference: the references/market-analysis.md file from the real-estate-investment skill in this plugin

3. Gather Market Data

For each market, collect the following data points:

Economic Indicators:

• Job growth rate (past 3 years, YoY)
• Major employers and industry diversity
• Unemployment rate
• Median household income

Demographic Trends:

• Population growth rate (past 5 years)
• Net migration (domestic and international)
• Age demographics (working-age population %)

Real Estate Metrics:

• Median home price and rent
• Rent-to-price ratio
• Vacancy rate
• Rent growth rate (past 3 years)
• Supply pipeline (units under construction per 1,000 population)
• Days on market

Data Collection Method:

• First, check for available MCP tools (Census API, Redfin, Rentcast)
• If MCP tools are unavailable, guide user to manually input key metrics OR use WebSearch for publicly available data

4. Score Each Market

Apply weighted scoring system (0-100 scale):

• Job Growth (20%): >3% = 100, 2-3% = 75, 1-2% = 50, <1% = 25
• Population Growth (15%): >2% = 100, 1-2% = 75, 0.5-1% = 50, <0.5% = 25
• Rent Growth (20%): >5% = 100, 3-5% = 75, 1-3% = 50, <1% = 25
• Vacancy Rate (15%): <5% = 100, 5-7% = 75, 7-10% = 50, >10% = 25
• Affordability (15%): Rent-to-price ratio >0.8% = 100, 0.6-0.8% = 75, 0.4-0.6% = 50, <0.4% = 25
• Supply Risk (15%): Low pipeline = 100, moderate = 75, high = 50, oversupply = 25

5. Present Comparison

Generate a side-by-side comparison table with:

• All raw metrics for each market
• Individual category scores
• Total weighted score (0-100)
• Rank order (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.)

6. Provide Recommendation

Recommend the top 1-2 markets with detailed reasoning including:

• Strongest advantages of the recommended market(s)
• Key risk factors to monitor
• Best property types for this market
• Neighborhood-level guidance (where to focus within the metro)

Notes

• Flag markets with warning signs: declining population, rising vacancy, oversupply
• Consider investor profile: cash flow vs appreciation focus
• Mention regulatory environment (rent control, landlord-tenant laws) if known