Rental Property Investing in Fresno, CA

[Cindy Chan]

Hello BP Community! My husband and I are looking into rental investing in Fresno, CA. We’re doing research and trying to find out more about the market there, from average rents to rental vacancy rates to neighborhood statistics and such. 

Does anyone have any good sources of information on that? Better yet, does anyone have recommendations for brokers/agents and property managers for Fresno?

TIA!

[Richard Xiong]

Welcome to Fresno! I am not a professional but I have lived in Fresno since 2003. So this is just my opinion of Fresno. Please consult with a professional like Zimmerman. He’s a great guy with tons of knowledge.

If you're looking on the map of Fresno the HWY 180/41 intersect is considered heart of Fresno. That intersection is plagued with homelessness, crime, and prostitutes along Belmont from Fulton all the way east toward First. 180/41 divides the city into 4 quadrants. With that as a reference, SW and SE Fresno are lower end markets with high crime and active gangs. NE Fresno is higher in price as you get further out and typically have better schools. NW Fresno is growing with 3/2 SFH going for $180-250, but you'll have your pockets of crime. (Along the FWY 99 near shields Ave you'll find very high crime.)

As you enter Clovis you get more expensive but the city is nicer. Clovis is very pricey but feel safer since their police department is very involved and have faster response times than Fresno. Clovis Between Shaw and Ashlan is still somewhat affordable, anything north of Barstow or Bullard is ridiculous.

Also, you’ll come across a small Town in NE Fresno called Pinedale. It’s an anomaly. In the past it’s been infested with gangs. Homes are in the lower $150k. Invest there at your own risk.

Good luck!