Detroit (or Baltimore or Philadelphia) - Investing from abroad

Detroit (or Baltimore or Philadelphia) - Investing from abroad

New to Real Estate · Uruguay · Member since 2019 · 6 posts · 4 votes

Hello to all!

My name is Pedro, I am from Argentina, and with a partner, we are planning to invest in single family homes in Detroit. We are working with a firm based in Miami (from which we have good references) to search for, buy and manage the property.

I wanted to seek some opinions regarding the neighborhoods to look at and the ones to stay out of. I am talking here about future value of the properties and how can they appreciate or not in time (I am aware of the risks of bad tenants, but that’s another story) and/or what to look at or not when choosing a neighborhood or studying a deal.

Also, to seek opinions from people within the US and, even more, people living in Detroit, to see if the hype that the city has been having (at least here) as a good opportunity to invest and expect a huge rebirth of the city in terms of jobs and population growth is justified or just hype.

I also want to seek opinions regarding the amount of investment the city has been having in terms of buying and reconstructing houses: does it match the actual need for single family homes or there are more houses available than the people looking to rent them? It worries me a bit the possibility for this to be an investors bubble that does not match the reality in terms of demand from people actually living there.

On another note, we have been offered the possibility to invest in Baltimore and Philadelphia, with higher amounts but similar returns to Detroit, any insights on these markets?

Really appreciate your time and all the knowledge I have grabbed from all of you during the last couple of weeks since I joined this community.

Cheers!

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Rental Property Investor · Detroit, MI · Member since 2018 · 380 posts · 244 votes
7y

@Pedro D.

This question I can talk about for hours but I will make it easy lol. You really have to find someone trusted to give you appropriate feedback on the area preferably someone from here. I say this because even nice areas can have a bad street. It is a street by street anaylsis versus trying to pick a neighborhood. For example, Bagley is a nice area in Detroit but even in this nice area its streets within Bagley that can be a little shaky. 

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  • Rental Property Investor · Detroit, MI · Member since 2018 · 380 posts · 244 votes
    7y

    @Pedro D.

    This question I can talk about for hours but I will make it easy lol. You really have to find someone trusted to give you appropriate feedback on the area preferably someone from here. I say this because even nice areas can have a bad street. It is a street by street anaylsis versus trying to pick a neighborhood. For example, Bagley is a nice area in Detroit but even in this nice area its streets within Bagley that can be a little shaky. 

  • New to Real Estate · Uruguay · Member since 2019 · 6 posts · 4 votes
    7y

    @Jamiel Strickland

    Thanks Jamiel for your advice!

    Is this something that can be viewed on Google Streetview (obviously once you know which the good neighborhoods are)? I mean, streets “looking good” will mean that those streets are ok, or there is a lot more to that?

  • Rental Property Investor · Detroit, MI · Member since 2018 · 380 posts · 244 votes
    7y

    @Pedro D.,

    I worked with an investor that bought a home using street view and one got in a bad situation where its much worse in person and then I seen a guy use it and went perfect. So its really a toss up, its safer and better to build relationships here in Detroit that can be eyes and ears for you then risk it on Google. But I seen it go good and bad for investors.

  • Real Estate Investor · San Francisco, CA · Member since 2014 · 104 posts · 21 votes
    7y

    @Pedro Drago, saw this turnkey provider the other day, and they specialize in Baltimore and Philly.  I've never done business with them.  Please do your due diligence.  Report back if you can.  Good luck!

    https://turnkeypropertypro.com/

  • Investor · Arroyo Grande, CA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Pedro D.:

    @Jamiel Strickland

    Thanks Jamiel for your advice!

    Is this something that can be viewed on Google Streetview (obviously once you know which the good neighborhoods are)? I mean, streets “looking good” will mean that those streets are ok, or there is a lot more to that?

     I live in Detroit metro and even dropped by downtown the other month and had lunch with @Jamiel Strickland . He knows his stuff.

    But I'll reiterate. Do not rely on Google Streetview. I'm closing on my first Detroit rental next week and did probably 100+ hours of research before locating this deal. I went and walked through probably two dozen houses. 

    I can tell you 100% that the vibe, look and feel that you get when you are there in person can be drastically different from what you saw and experience online via Streetview. One property in particular I thought was a no-brainer buy... I went to see it and immediate changed my mind. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Detroit, MI · Member since 2018 · 380 posts · 244 votes
    7y

    @Pedro D. I would take @Travis Biziorek straight real advice lol 

    Don't rely on Google streets, Travis brings up a point I did not think about which is the vibe he mentions. Some places when you drive around the area gives you this eerie feeling like its not safe or lifeless. You cannot pick up those intagibale gut feeling type things if your not out here or do not have someone very very trusted to do this for you.

    Very good insight by Travis

  • Investor · Detroit, MI · Member since 2019 · 38 posts · 7 votes
    7y

    @Pedro D. I've been investing in Metro Detroit for the past 5 years and to sum it all up you want to focus on Detroit Sub Divisions and the Suburbs of Oakland, Macomb and Wayne County. Also you want to link up with some one who is knowledgeable of not only real estate but the Detroit Market in general.

  • Joseph ODonovanPro Member
    Property Manager · Ridley, PA · Member since 2017 · 427 posts · 449 votes
    7y

    @Pedro Drago 1 - Do NOT rely on Google street maps, very deceiving

    2 - Philadelphia is a big city with many neighborhoods with price points that vary. When it comes to real estate, Philly is a block by block city.

    3 - I highly recommended visiting the city you will be investing in. If not, then hook up with a local you can trust for objective feedback.

    Best of luck!

  • Real Estate Investor · Miami, FL · Member since 2013 · 122 posts · 51 votes
    6y

    @Pedro Drago

    When you buy a property, my rule of thumb is to see it during the day , and see it also at night . Years ago I was about to pull the trigger in a duplex , after seeing it at night was a complete different feeling. Google street won’t give you that.

  • Real Estate Broker · San Pedro, CA · Member since 2016 · 206 posts · 89 votes
    6y

    @Pedro D. 

    Hey Pedro, my father is from Argentina! I would recommend you see the property before you buy it. A lot of family and friends from Argentina invest in Florida. Tampa and Orlando are great markets.

  • Member since 2020 · 3 posts · 0 votes
    6y

    @Pedro Drago Hola! yo también soy deArgentina y estamos interesados en invertir en una de esas 3 ciudades. Vos ya estas trabajando allá?

  • Investor · Napa, CA · Member since 2016 · 101 posts · 53 votes
    6y

    Personally I would stay out of Detroit.  I am in 3 other markets and Detroit is my worst experience.  Tough to find good property management, and it's not an investor-friendly city (fines for stupid things and many transactions must be done in person).  Suburbs outside of Detroit are better if you really want to be in that area...

  • New to Real Estate · Uruguay · Member since 2019 · 6 posts · 4 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Andrea Romina Baez:

    @Pedro Drago Hola! yo también soy deArgentina y estamos interesados en invertir en una de esas 3 ciudades. Vos ya estas trabajando allá?

    Hola Andrea. Si, ya desde el año pasado en Detroit. 

  • Investor · Oak Park, MI · Member since 2014 · 299 posts · 47 votes
    6y

    @@Pedro D., there's a guy from Uruguay doing a lot of business in Detroit, I forgot his name and have I have a friend working with investors from Argentina. How is it going so far? I have 3 in Detroit (the rest in the suburbs), Detroit is challenging as it is if you're local, imagine out of state, so great that you're boots on the ground; tougher to find good deals nowadays and it's a challenge to deal with Detroit!

  • Member since 2020 · 3 posts · 0 votes
    6y

    Hey @Roy Gutierrez! are there the guy here? (in bigger pockets) because I need more information,  my country is fall into an abyss and we need save the money (here put emoji sad)

  • Lender · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2020 · 115 posts · 70 votes
    6y

    I am in Baltimore, and like someone said about Philly above, it is also a block-by-block city. Also, "Baltimore" has a very far reach--meaning that the area that encompasses Baltimore includes both Baltimore City and Baltimore County and there are different investment prospects in each. When someone offers you an opportunity to invest in "Baltimore," they could be talking about either the city proper or the suburbs. 

  • Investor · Oak Park, MI · Member since 2014 · 299 posts · 47 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Andrea Romina Baez:

    Hey @Roy Gutierrez! are there the guy here? (in bigger pockets) because I need more information,  my country is fall into an abyss and we need save the money (here put emoji sad)

    Andrea, you can PM me.

  • Realtor · Member since 2020 · 82 posts · 83 votes
    6y

    @Pedro D. I'm a real estate consultant from Philly area, so I cannot speak for other areas. However, in terms of the market in Philly, I have several insights for you. First, Philly is affordable. It's the most affordable city in the East Coast, therefore you can pick up properties at a reasonable price and still have room to appreciate the properties. My investors from NY, CA, NJ...are changing their investment location from more expensive cities to Philly to get more equity return. Secondly, Philly is developing. Constructions in this city are every where. In the past 2 years, some areas such as West Philly, Brewerytown, Strawberry Mansion, Old Kensington...have appreciated rapidly that they're becoming A neighborhood in a foreseeable future. With that being said, Philly market is hot now. However, it does have some drawbacks such as block by block basis, rental policy and war zones...Let me know how I can help. Good luck!

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