What are signs that an area is declining?

Often School rankings can be a lead indicator of an area. Often an area with better schools hold their values at a higher rate. There are also signs in older neighborhoods if you see homes being renovated and resold for higher values, this is a good sign of re-gingerfication. I would rely on a trusted LOCAL REALTOR to give you some comparables to see if the inventory is rising, days on market are growing and how homes are holding their value. Unfortunately, there is no crystal ball, but these are all helpful indicators!