Pro's & Con's on section 8 in Baltimore

[Robert Garcia]

Hi everyone, I'm wondering what the pro's and con's consensus is on being a section 8 landlord in Baltimore, MD. Who is currently a section 8 landlord and is it something one should consider, simply for the guaranteed cash, as a buy & hold investor? 

Thanks,

Rob

[Ned Carey]

@Robert Garcia My partner and I do some market tenants but lean towards section 8.  Most of the landlords I know do section 8.  

Section 8 can be a pain to deal with. It will take an extra month to get rented due to the inspections and approvals. however section 8 does pay a little more. One large landlord studied their own stats and found section 8 tenants tended to stay longer. 

Another large landlord I know went bankrupt as he was mostly market tenants and in the last downturn they couldn't pay their rent. 

Section 8 tenants can be pickier about the property. While they may go for a relatively poor area they will want a nice house.  We sometimes put granite counter tops in our rentals to attract good section 8  tenants.