Our Story
OUR MISSION
At Move or Invest, our mission is straightforward: Empower you to discover and rank the best real estate markets tailored to your priorities using accurate and current data.
We merge crucial market data with our real estate expertise, financial analysis, and a unique scoring system to offer you an intuitive tool for identifying top markets.
OUR STORY
Years ago, after looking to purchase a house in an unfamiliar state, and as investors looking for the best places in the US to invest, we began assembling a large variety of checklists, spreadsheets, “must-haves” and “nice to haves.” We then began developing and continuously refining a master market analysis workbook over the course of 10 years.
After reading the thousandth "Top 25 Cities for (fill in the blank)" list we had come across, we rolled our eyes while simply wishing that just ONE of these websites would actually consider what we thought was important in a city. Don't get me wrong, the largest pumpkin festival in the US sounds like a great time, but it's not enough for us to move to Circleville, OH. The issue was that none of those top 25 lists ever fit exactly what we were looking for, and we had no way to customize the lists’ considerations or even know what data or assumptions were used to create it.
After some discussion, we realized that our tried-and-tested market analysis workbook that we've been utilizing and refining for the past 10+ years could be expanded and improved to build a tool for anyone to create their own personalized, "best places" list. Move or Invest is our answer to those seeking a ranking system based on individualized preferences rather than one-size-fits-all metrics.
Who We Are
We are husband and wife real estate investors, driven by our dedication to making decisions grounded in solid data. Since 2008, we've navigated over 40 real estate transactions involving more than 25 properties across 8 markets in 2 countries. With every acquisition or sale, we gain fresh insights and refine our data, propelling our investment journey in only the best markets.
It's also important to clarify who we aren't: We're not a huge investment entity or a Wall Street giant. We don't mine data for bigger corporations, nor are we real estate agents seeking clients. We're simply passionate investors, learning and growing with every deal.
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Kevin Smith
Co-Founder
Kevin grew up in South Jersey, a vibrant part of the Philadelphia metropolitan area. He achieved academic success at Arizona State University's Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, graduating summa cum laude. With a passion for Excel, real estate investing, and an unwavering support for the Philadelphia Eagles, Kevin brings enthusiasm to his work. In his downtime, he loves to travel and explore, sharing adventures with his wife, Kate, and their beloved fur baby, Chappie.
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Katherine Smith
Co-Founder
Kate hails from northwest Indiana and is an alumna of Purdue University. Post-graduation, she's called multiple states and countries home. Her real estate adventure began in Arizona after meeting Kevin, and they've been investors ever since. Kate once embraced the role of a full-time real estate agent at the onset of her investment journey. She cherishes globe-trotting with Kevin, spending quality time with their fur baby, and indulging in her crafting.
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Philadelphia PA -
Wilmington DE -
Phoenix AZ -
Honolulu HI -
Chicago IL