Rental Property in Baton Rogue, LA

[Julie Kim]

Hello 

I am trying to buy two rental properties in Baton Rouge area(currently living in DFW area) end of this year and this whole process is going to be little bit challenging and nerve-wrecking. 

Do you think that buying a rental properties in Baton Rouge would be a good start? 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[David S.]

Since the flood zone stuff was addressed, I will leave that alone.

My number one concern would be the area.  Is it Class A, B, C or D.  Unless you are getting a great deal, at 110k, I am guessing it is in a Class C area.  I don't know if you want to go down that road if you are out of state.  I would suggest that you move up in asset class to Class C+, B- at minimum.  Many PM's avoid less than Class B.  So that is a concern as well.

I would drive the area because Baton Rouge is very tricky.  You have Class D areas literally one street away from Class A.

Quick test: Call Domino's and see if they deliver pizza to that address.  Or check the Trulia crime maps.

As far as being able to rent it out, an updated nice home in a good area should be easy to rent out if the rent is priced right and you have a halfway decent PM.  If your place is not updated or the area is trashy, your DOM will be longer to find a qualified tenant.  Qualified being the key word.