Neighborhood Classification Question.

[Steve Kim]

How do you determine what is a "war zone"? When researching a neighborhood I've been using Trulia's crime heat map, but even if its green the types of crime in an area are violent. My guess is Trulia uses volume as a criteria and maybe not the types of crimes. So, how do you experts evaluate if it's a class D or class C neighborhood without living there? I've driven in some neighborhoods and they seem fine, but in Chicago it's really street by street where places are "safe". How do you experienced people choose the neighborhood classification without personally living there?

[John Casmon]

Talk to locals, cops and PMs. The property manager will have to manage the property so they won't steer you into a crime zone if they have the option.

Check the type of crime in the area. If the crimes are murders, robberies, rapes, etc, it's a war zone. If it's trespassing, theft and disturbing the peace it may not be an ideal neighborhood, but may still be good for investing.

Ultimately, I would want to get a feel for the area if I'm investing in it and would get someone to send a video or FaceTime me so I can see the area.