Buying Rental Properties in Compton, California

[Bryan Igboke]

Hello BiggerPockets,

I am a new investor currently looking to buy my first home to use as a house hack rental property. 

Many of the properties that come up near the area I want to invest are in Compton, California. You may have heard of this city from the popular movie "Straight Outta Compton" or because of the rap group NWA. You have also probably heard nothing but bad things about this city ranging from constant property damage to gang violence. 

I don't believe this city to be this bad and think there are areas worth investing in, as in any other city. I believe it has been heavily stigmatized by pop culture and major events that happened 20 to 30 years ago. I have found homes that meet all of my investment criteria other than the fact that they are located in Compton.

My question is if there are any investors who own properties in Compton? If so, what has your experience been like with the area and the caliber of tenants? If you own properties in cities other than Compton that are seen as "bad" I would love to hear about that experience as well.

Thank you!

[Rob Gillespie]

@Bryan Igboke

I was gonna make an ice cube joke until I saw ya mention NWA, LOL

I deal in areas sometimes that are just as bad as the stereotype of Compton. It is not terrible. 

My only thought on Compton is that the prices of homes are so high it is tough to make them cashflow. 

It would seem to be more of a buy and sell neighborhood. 

I would love to chat and analyze a deal in compton for ya. It would be fun to know the actual numbers there. 

Good luck! Keep pushing and stay focused. There is money to be made... Even in Compton!