City data crime rate- research before investing

[Jenny M.]

I did a search online to check out the data on a city I was considering investing in, and saw (not a city government site) pretty troubling information about the rate of both violent and non-violent crime statistics in the area. Like 180% higher than average American city. Any investors have experience with this kind of data? How do you incorporate in your decision to invest or not? Thanks guys!

[Dave G.]

@Jenny M. If you are buying locally, get to know the neighborhoods by driving them often (you may even find something to buy doing this). Look at the condition of the properties, cars & what kind of retail is there. Pawn shops, title loans, & vacant retail on busy intersections are usually not good signs. And some will disagree with this philosophy, but I personally would not buy a property that i would not live in myself, so at least a B or B+ area (subjective) neighborhood for me.

If you are looking out of state (or not able to personally visit at this point), solicit boots-on-the-ground help from a good local realtor or better yet, a good local property manager.