Baltimore Neighborhoods

[Jesse Brown]

Hey,

I am currently researching neighborhoods in Baltimore City to invest in. I'm probably looking at starter homes in the $60-100k range that are fixer types. I'd like to do hybrid investing (invest for cash flow with some forced appreciation).

I plan on looking at:
1. Population growth
3. Employment growth and diversity
4. Increased income
5. Educational system quality and growth
9. Low crime rates
10. Favorable tax rates

How to I quickly eliminate a lot of the neighborhoods? Am I missing any market drivers? Also, are there some good resources I can use to do this research? Lastly, if anyone has any suggestions on good markets there i'm all ears.

Thanks so much for the help!

[Amanda Felton]

From living in Baltimore my whole life, I have learned it is a patchwork of the good, the bad, and ugly. For instance, some would believe it would be a wise investment choice to buy near Johns Hopkins. This may be true, but only on certain sides of Patterson Park. Cross the street, and you have entered a war zone. Also, stay away from North Ave, Greenmount Ave, and Liberty Heights.

For a flip: Hamilton 21214 is up and coming - mixed income, within city limits. In the county I would suggest Arbutus, Catonsville, Rosedale, Pikesville, and Parkville.

For rentals: I recommend Dundalk, Curtis Bay, Landsdowne, and Violetville. Also, Woodlawn and Owings Mills are experiencing growth in the west. Another new "cool" area is Hampden.

In my opinion, the best "rectangle" for investment is formed by Perring Parkway in the west, 695 in the north, 95 in the east, and Moravia Rd in the south. Middle America lives here - not many extremes.

Where has your search taken you?