Investor looking to isolate neighborhoods and zip codes

[Erick Garske]

I am an investor in Real Estate in Baltimore. I have lived in Baltimore years ago, and visited last year. I am trying to isolate which area to avoid and which to pursue either by neighborhood or zip code. 

I like Hampden, Fells Point, and Charles Village but these are all priced out. I think that there are neighboring areas that are more affordable. I believe that areas to avoid are Druid Heights, Greenmount and North Avenue.

To that end, I am nearing the completion of a RE sale in California and am searching for replacement properties in Baltimore that would meet the 2%-3% rule and comply with a 1031 exchange. 

[Ned Carey]

@Erick Garske What neighborhood to invest in in Baltimore is one of the toughest questions. Every zip code has both good and bad areas. most neighborhoods do also. Baltimore can very much be block by block. In some cases we even talk about the good end of the block vs the bad end of the block.

I know investors who are very successful in very low end neighborhoods. I know more investors that wouldn't touch those neighborhoods.  A crude rule of thumb is the closer you are to the edge of the city the better the neighborhoods.