Advice on Allentown, PA

[Daniel Karbownik]

Hello BP community,

I was wondering if anybody had an experience or advice in regards to investing in row houses for rental properties in Allentown, PA.  I'm from Jersey and have found it very hard to find good cash-flow properties here, and recently spoke with an investor who says he has started looking in Allentown, PA himself for the same reason.  Some of the stuff on the market looks really cheap relative to what they can rent for.  Does anybody have an experience here?  Thanks!

[Mark Fedorov]

I find it difficult to invest in the small buildings without knowledge of the area. There is a huge difference between east or west of 15th street in Allentown, you need to know the borders of the NIZ, It is possible to get good tenants no matter where you are, but depending on location, it takes more effort to get the good ones, and when I spend more effort, i expect a higher return.

If you are looking at center city... 3rd st to 9th, from Chew to Walnut.. that is all tough, unless you have a commercial property in the NIZ. Tough is not impossible, but tough is effort.