Questions about investing in a new area

[Jasmine Claye]

What are the best ways to find out about a new area to buy property in? I know about the county website for crime. Talking to people in the area. Any other ways to find out?

Also, how close are zillow estimates for property values? Are these estimates within a certain range of being correct?

[Sharad M.]

Hi Jasmine,

When I first started out, this is what I did to learn about the area:

1) Talk to real estate agents to learn about the values

2) Talk to neighbors of the subject property that I was interested in

3) Talk to corner grocery/convenience store about the neighborhood

4) Drive through the area during daylight AND after dark on weekdays and weekends

5) Talk to someone at the local police department about the particular street I was investing in

6) I would ask the person I spoke with at the local police department that if they had money available, would they invest in the property

7) Talk to the local building department to see if there are any issues with other building on the street

8) Talk to other local investors about investing in the are

9) What are some of the fundamentals that make the area a good long term investment

I am sure there are more, but these are the things that I can think of.

Good luck!!

Sharad