Birmingham Alabama neighborhood criteria

[Jason Jebeles]

Hi all, I am new to BP and also new to real estate investing. I live near Birmingham, AL and have so far done investing in a city about 45 min from Birmingham. I would like to move into the Birmingham market but had a question as I am searching. I have been advised in my searching that I should stay away from certain areas due to them being very low end and possibly higher crime areas. Even in the smaller town near Birmingham I have received these warnings. I feel like there are great opportunities in some of these places and I am pretty open to buying anywhere, but would love to hear some criteria that others use when buying in some of these labeled areas. Just for context as well my focus is buy and hold (rentals).

[John Patton]

Welcome aboard Jason. You will need to learn the neighborhoods that "just steal" and the ones that "shoot and steal". Ride thru an area between 11am and 2 pm and it will give you a good idea.

Rehab can run 5k to 20 for buy and hold. Rent for 3BR can go from 650 to 1650 depending on schools.

I suggest you do a couple of things. One, think about joining the AIA  -http://www.aiaclub.com/. They meet every 4th Monday at Homewood Senior Center. Good folks and you will learn a lot.  Second, try to learn the zips and the schools with those zips. Jefferson County schools usually get more rent than Birmingham, Midfield, Bessemer and Fairfield with a few exceptions.

Let me know if I can help. Good luck. JP