Baltimore/Fort Meade, MD Tips For Starting Out

[Emily Howlett]

Hello! 

I'm just getting started in looking for properties in the Baltimore/Fort Meade, MD area, and have been running into some mental blocks - I'm hoping you can help me! 

As I said, I'm just getting started looking at properties in the area, and I've found a few that I love but they either don't work in terms of numbers, or I find small things about the house from a personal perspective (layout isn't ideal, not as modern and "shiny" as I'd like, the neighborhood is okay but not great, etc) that make me hesitant to jump in right away. I've found that the numbers not working is easy to say no on, but do you have any tips or personal experiences you're willing to share exemplifying how to say yes to a not so shiny and exciting house even if the numbers work? 

Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I'm excited to get my first property but apparently my subconscious isn't quite as ready as I am. 

- Emily

[Matthew Paul]

You are not going to find modern and ideal layouts in a price range that works for a rental near FT Meade , or even most of Anne Arundel  County . 

If you are looking at the small things that you dont "like" . Thats not how you look at an investment property , thats how you look at your personal home . Remember you wont be living there . You want the property to be clean , simple , basic and as bullet proof as possible . Good schools are a BIG plus . 

Great areas in Anne Arundel County , wont cash flow , the prices are too high . ( even for fixer uppers )  Areas like Severna Park , and Arnold .  Good areas will cash flow if you can be the first one to grab a deal and they are scarce .  Areas like Pasadena and parts of Millersville .  You can find deals in Glen Burnie , they will need work and you can hit the 1% rule if you are lucky .