As part of a multi-property deal in several markets, the US real estate arm of Investcorp, whose parent is based in Bahrain, recently acquired the Arbors of Brentwood at 100 Brentwood Place in Nashville. In a short period, Nashville has made the leap from major regional market to magnet for national—and now international—investors.

Investcorp principal-real estate investment Ryan Bassett tells us Nashville stands out around the world for its fundamentals, such as one of the strongest job markets in the country, and its diversified economy, with one of the lowest unemployment rates among the largest MSAs at 3.5%. "In fact, the city’s employment has grown by 25% since 2009, and it's rated by Forbes as a top 10 location for Cities Americans Are Flocking To.”

Furthermore, Nashville's rapid population growth—a 9.5% increase since 2010—is largely comprised of Millennials, Ryan says. The companies that hire them are coming too. "The city’s business-friendly environment has made it an attractive place for corporate headquarters, and nearly 110 companies have relocated or expanded in Nashville over the last 12 months."