In any particular city in the United States, the number of building permits being issued annually to construct homes, versus the number of new employment opportunities created annually (P/E) is critical information in determining the mid-term stability of the local real estate marketplace. In-migration (P/E-I) is an equally crucial factor.

The Myers Group refers to this measurement as P/E ratios (Permits-Issued to Employment-Generated) or P/E-I rations (Permits-Issued to Employment and In-Migration Generated).