Duplex with Boarded Up Neighboring Houses...What Would You Do?

[Stephanie Metal]

Hello All! I'm a new real estate investor in Central New Jersey and looking at buying my first duplex for a house hack. Currently, I have a showing booked for a house tomorrow with my realtor (who has not seen the property or location yet) but I did a drive by today to check it out.

The property is in a pretty decent location, on a not too busy road. It's very close to major highways for commuting, and within walking distance of a very cute downtown (although you'd have to cross a major highway, so not walking-friendly.) When I drove by, I saw that to the left of the house, both the direct neighbor, and the neighbor next to that were both boarded over on all windows. The properties look run down and very distressed. I wasn't able to stop as the road was too busy, but I got the feeling they hadn't been looked after in a long time.

My realtor is assuring me that since the duplex is fully rented, that these two houses will not be a problem. I'm worried as a house hack, and as a potential rental property, that this might drive away possible tenants, or be unsafe for myself or the tenants already there. This will be my first property, so there's also a lot of other unknowns!

Are there any things you would do to protect yourself (extra insurance in case of damages that I should factor in)? Questions I should ask while I tour the property? Anything you can offer would be great!

Thank you!

[Dennis M.]

What’s a cute down town ? What on earth are you talking about ? A blouse or a home ? Look If you have houses that are very distressed on both sides of the building with boards on them , I can assure you it’s not a great area . Sounds like wishful thinking on your part . Gentrification ? You don’teven know that . Newsflash realtors lie ! They are salesmen after all . I certainly wouldn’t house hack in a building where others around me have boards over the windows