Newbie investor to buy around Hopkins

[Hong Zhu]

Hello, Fellow investors,

I'm looking to buy around Johns Hopkins Medical Center and rent it out to staff and students in the hospital. My budget is around 200K. I saw a few properties along Orlean St around this price point but they've all been on the market for a while. Is there a reason why they are not desirable? Should I look closer to properties around Patterson Park? 

I worked in Baltimore a few years ago but moved to Virginia due to a job change. I'm sure a lot has changed since we moved.  Does anyone have any insight into the market in the Johns Hopkins area these days?

Thanks!

[Account Closed]

Here is a tip that may  work for you ------- THE 50 HOUSE RULE: Make it a project to look 50 houses, with a self pledge NOT TO buy or make an offer on any of them - your objective is to study the market, keep a journal - in it list every property you look at, the square footage, the price per SF, the agents' listing, any comments the agent or the seller makes, keep good notes -

After awhile you will discover some very interesting things about this project, 1. you will become aware of values, 2. you will learn how to detect motivation of sellers and agents and 3. this journal will be a valuable asset when you are more aware of the market and you will be able, after you are a little more educated, be able to make intelligent offers that will pay off in equity or cash profits.