C Neighborhood Rental- Rent Ready, but unable to find tenants.

[Michael Quang]

Hello Experts!

I have an investment property located in a C neighborhood (43204). Historically, this area has high crime, but slowly getting better. New money are coming in to rehab these units.  I was among the many investors. My problem is that I recently got 4 units rent ready, priced below aveage rent, but still unable to find tenants. Is there something else I can do?

https://www.zillow.com/homedet...

thanks 

[Scott Mac]

Hi Michael,

The Zillow street view looks rough.

Some things to think about:

[1] Lack of off street parking (possibly add parking on garbage can side).

[2] No real storage space (possibly add locked storage sheds for each unit on grassed over driveway side.

[3] Non matching front doors, possibly match front doors, and not paint them blue red, black or pink--aka gang colors.

[4] Possibly add black shutters to front windows.

[5] Your insurance is ok with 3 steps with no handrails (???)

[6] Possibly add some kind of kitchen food storage larder.

[7] Possibly caulk the cracks in the concrete in front of the units.

[8] Edge the lawns along all walks and the at the street.

[9] Maybe add a block pony wall to the front, back fill it and make level front yards for the units (possibly use rock as a ground cover). 

[10] Possibly freshen the paint on the triangle parts above the bricks.

[11] High crime, might like chain link fences--see how the close in competition is set up.

[12] Possibly name the building with signage.

Also you have no bedroom shots, or closet shots. These units look like not much storage and class C tends to accumulate a lot of "Stuff".

Here is a mockup of some of my thoughts starting with the zillow drive by.

Also maybe add a covered, lit, mail station with USPS apartment style mail boxes.

Get all of the remnants of the graffiti/gang tagging off the brick wall (you probably can't read it but your potential renters might be able to, and it might mean something very unpleasant).

Good Luck!