warzones

[Shequann Burrwell]

just wanted to get some other than my own insight on warzones. what makes them so undesirable to most investors. i think they are gold mines that are misunderstood and waiting to be tapped. a lot of buildings in war zones i notice end up becoming a city burden when the original owner can't afford the building anymore. I believe with the correct rules in place and strict management warzones are a excellent investments. coming from living in a so called war zone i think a greater understanding of the people living there and just getting on there level on each tenant by tenant basis. what do you guys think?

[Michaela G.]

Much of that is perception. I've been investing in an all black neighborhood, that is called a war zone by most people who aren't so familiar with it.

I moved back to Atlanta for 1.5 years and lived in one of my houses, while i renovated the others. I'm blonde with blue eyes and stood out like a soar thumb. I walked throughout the neighborhood with my dog during the day and never had a problem.

I think some of it has to do how residents are being approached. Respect is a big deal, for older and younger people. Living right in the middle, everyone knew who I was and which houses were mine. I wasn't scared of people and talked to them like I'd talk to everyone. But I did come across a fair amount of discrimination against me.

Word's out that I'm not a push-over and that do evict. Right now I'm 100% full and all my tenants are paying. I'm on the Westcoast and am managing long-distance.

I think the fact that they saw me living there and not out in the suburbs and that I showed them respect made a huge difference