Neighborhood Watch; Interested in your opinions & suggestions...

[Jeff Schaefer]

Looking at a property in the Atlanta, GA area with several favorable attributes. This would/could be my 1st investment property...

My concern(s) where I would like your insight(s) are;

* The 2 homes to the side of this property are boarded up, "obviously" vacant. Other homes in a 2 block radius look ok, working folk kinda homes.

* This and several others in the area have bars on the windows & doors.

My research thus far shows the following

* Asking price 3K below an "estimate" (i would obviously work this)

* Won't increase (year to year) in value much, so it appears as if rent income the only gain ($1600. month)

* Rental history looks concerning: Zillow shows it being listed and removed a few times (1/2013 $750. 3/2013 $900. & 2/2014 $1000. - The $ increases baffle me)

If I finance it 100% myself I could have it paid off in 5 +/- years.

My concern at this point is the area/neighborhood. The manner in which I plan to invest, I believe I'll run into this more often then potentially not. I'm a green horn and your input will definitely be put to use!

In advance, thanks.