Ignorant but Eager to learn

[Pat Alford]

I live in Central Arkansas (NE of Little Rock) and my wife and I are planning to start investing in rental property soon. We had two rental properties, years ago, but have been out of the loop for 10 years. I am an insurance adjuster, and travel about 3-4 months a year, but am off work and at home the remainder of the time. I have money for down payments and for upfront cost. I am considering getting my real estate license in the next month (I’m currently in Florida finishing up for Hurricane Irma Claims). I am looking at rental property as a path to retirement, and don’t need the income now, but could definitely use the tax deductions. I would like to know what experience other forum members have in Arkansas. Like the title says, I am more ignorant than I’d like to be, but I am eager to learn and willing to listen. Thanks for any info.

[Andrew Johnson]

Pat Alford I don’t live in Arkansas but I invest in Central Arkansas. But I invest off of 40 heading the the northwest. I’ve never found anything in Jacksonville or Cabot that I loved. But the time I hit Ward I just think it’s a bit far out. For me it’s nice because property taxes are low, dirt is cheap (so I can depreciate more of the purchase price), it’s landlord friendly, etc. But I would guess that NWA will outpace Central AR for growth over the next 10 years. And I really have zero interest in looking south of Little Rock. Land is plentiful so while I see suburb home prices rising it’s associated with better quality materials instead of the dirt/land value increasing. This isn’t “scientific” but more of my anecdotal observations. I always look in LR and NLR but the good deals on paper always look a lot more dicey after I buy a plane ticket and see them in person. I don’t know if any of this helps but that’s been my experience so far.