Would you buy a rental property where a crime was committed in?

Question

Hi everyone! I’ve been eyeing this out-of-state SFH for quite sometime now and wondered why it had been sitting on the market for so long. After running a quick Google search it turns out it was the scene of a deadly crime. So a few thoughts/questions since I’m a newbie…Has anyone from the BP community come across a situation like this before and did you actually purchase the property? And if so are you legally bound to disclose to the potential new tenants that a crime was committed in the rental? From a pure numbers perspective the cost of the home isn’t priced well below what comparable homes are going for.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Some States require disclosure, but the law varies. I think California requires disclosure of any death that took place in the last three years, but it's illegal to dicslose if someone died from HIV. Strange.

Talk to an attorney or Google search for "death disclosure requirement [name of State]" and I'm sure you'll find information.

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

If it's a screaming deal, then maybe. But as others have said, you are going to cut down your potential customer base by a lot. Or have to discount your prices.....

So it had better be a screaming deal.....and even then it's a maybe. There are lots of properties out there for sale. As a matter of fact, about 1,559,000. So don't settle....

Jack Mawer · Answer

I would stay far away.. you do not want to add on any additional stress factors when investing in real estate and being in an area that has a history of deadly crime is not ideal.

Theresa Harris · Answer

I don't know about CA, but in some areas if there is a violent death, you have to disclose it when you sell the property.

Kerry Noble Jr · Answer

If it isnt a good deal, dont even waste your time

Would you buy a rental property where a crime was committed in?

Would you buy a rental property where a crime was committed in?

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