Buying rentals in lower class areas near military bases?

[Michael Garnto]

Well, first I'll start with an explanation on what exactly this entails for those not clear of what generally compromises a bases surrounding area. Most AF bases are relatively in the middle of no where. Usually standard fast food joints in the immediate area+some small neighbors(though generally "low class"). Then 30 mins to an hour away you get your major "nice" areas. Most of the lower ranking guys will rent in the low class neighborhoods, then higher ranking enlisted guys and officers usually can afford the further away nice areas. I personally know of guys who are currently renting 2br mobile homes for 1200 a month+utilities at my base. Try 1500+ for any half decent houses. Even with the crazy high NJ propert taxes, I'm seeing great cash flow opportunities. Not to mention, I am military myself. A quick call to their supervisors will have any rent issues sorted out immediately(financial issues are taken very serious)

Anyone on here do this? I'm thinking about starting off with homes either in the 40k range needing light-moderate fix ups, or around 80-100k  that are fairly turn key. I'm just kind of looking at this and thinking,"if it sounds too good to be true, then you are prob missing something". I'm not expecting a perfect process here, but it just seems too easy to find good cashflowing properties knowing the rent prices and looking at housing prices.

[Shawn Dandridge]

I hate reading about these generalizations about all members of the military. I am active duty Army, E-6. Not all military members like to live in "low class" housing. I currently own a condo in the best neighborhood in town, Class A neighborhood in Maryland. I also hate the fact that landlords and others think that because a service member can't pay that they should immediately to go the chain of command to get it sorted out. For one I think it's an invasion of privacy. Another, its quite childish in my opinion. Would you go to the Wal-Mart worker's store manager and tell them they didn't pay rent? NO!

Contrary to what many people will have you believe, including those in the military, the chain of command can't MAKE you pay your bills. They can highly suggest it through round about ways of threats but it's clearly stated in the regulation of ALL services that these things are civil matters and not the military's problem. These things could affect clearances but missing one rent payment won't kill your chances of a clearance. It's not the chain of commands job to be bothered with these small problems. A good chain of command will tell you it's not their problem and its a personal matter. I've never given or had a landlord ask for unit information. I would have not given it up anyways. If they can't trust me to pay my obligations, which I ALWAYS have, then we don't need to do business. Service members have enough babysitters at work already, I don't want to add my landlord to that list.