Cost of bullet proofing a house?

[Amiris Brown]

So, there's this house that has been deeply discounted about $100,000 off its original listing price. Just last month there were 3 armed robberies next door to that house on a street with businesses. There have been muggings and rapes at knife point on that block in the past four months. I consider this too much of a war zone, but my partner insists to play the speculative game of appreciation as that area is slated for redevelopment very soon (it's in the process of gentrifying right now actually). I don't want to take the chance but he does, since a block over houses are still selling at $300K+. This would be a potential rental once it's fixed up a bit (it also needs work, but mostly cosmetic like refinishing the hardwood floors). However, we wouldn't be renting it out immediately instead we would live in it for 3 to 5 years. Which is why I'd want to bullet proof the property so to not worry about stray bullets fired at the businesses being held up next door. I'd like to put this in my cost analysis since my partner is claiming it's a good price, my argument has been just because the numbers seem good doesn't mean the socio-economic reality is good. If I can't convince him, I figured to rerun the numbers with all the repairs needed. Heck, maybe he is right and I'm wrong after all. I just want to make extra sure before we regret passing up this deal, which I'm tempted to move on from.

[Jim Adrian]

@Amiris Brown

No such thing a bullet proof,  but there is bullet resistant.  I have done a few project for the DoD that have required this type of protection.  In terms of residential it will be crazy expensive around $50 per sq for product only.  UL 752 defines the level of bullet protection based on what type of bullets you are trying to stop.  I would guess your are wanting the lowest level of protection like Level 1 (stops 9mm) or Level 2 (stops 357mag), If this is wood construction, the walls will need fiberglass mesh panel, basically Kevlar about 1/4" to 3/8" thick or you can use 1/8" to 5/16" sheet steel to clad the house.   All the glass in the house will need to be laminated system of glass and polycarbonate panels which is about 1" solid thick.  If you have 8" masonry walls then you need to grout full the wall so basically turning it into solid concrete wall.  And these products are not DYI either and typically require certified installers $$$. 

If its that good of deal then rent it out but I would not live in an area like this until things turn around.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Here are some links to check out!

http://www.armortex.com/

http://www.usbulletproofing.com/index.htm