DMV Single Family Home Rental Investment Strategies

[Taylor Lovett]

Hello, I am an investor in the DC, Maryland, Virginia area. I love in Montgomery County. Currently I own one SFH rental in Lanham (PG County). I bought the house for about 180K and collect $1800 per month (about $500 positive cash flow).

I'm considering another property. However, I am wondering what people recommend. I'd prefer not to spend more than 180K on the house. The current strategies on my mind are:

1. Get another  ~160K single family home in PG County. PG County values are going up IMO. However, it is not the best of areas in terms of crime so that's an issue.

2. Find a property in Montgomery County. I feel like MC property values are a sure to go up as it's a desirable place to live. Finding a place in Montgomery County for 180K is hard. Likely I'll have to get one for 200K and the rent is no better than PG County.

3. Buy a condo for 90K somewhere in PG County or Baltimore County.

4. Buy a really cheap house in a decent area in Baltimore City.

Wondering what people think? The positive cash flow on a cheap condo is much higher than a SFH but maybe that's a bad idea?

[Matthew Reichert]

How can you trust that PG county property values will continue to rise if crime is also rising?