Best Places to Invest in Kansas City

The place I call home is also one of the hottest investment markets in the country right now. Kansas City is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s best markets for real estate investors, both for flipping and for buy-and-holds. Lots of factors are responsible for this, like the diverse employment opportunities and low cost of living that attract people to the area, as well as home prices that appeal to budget-conscious investors. KC may be located in one of the “fly over” states that don’t get the recognition they deserve, but the city truly does stand out as a gem among similar markets. Here are some of the best areas within the metro to invest in property:

South KC

The I-49 corridor that connects the southern portion of Kansas City to suburbs like Grandview and Belton is booming. In the last 5 to 10 years, development in the area has exceeded expectations. The Honeywell plant has boosted employment opportunities in the region, as will the Cerner headquarters which is currently under construction to the north. Previously forgotten and run-down shopping centers are being remade and revitalized, and the effect has been dramatic. With job growth and more amenities, more people are moving to the area and home values are increasing.

Waldo - Midtown - Westport

The central portion of the city is also hot right now. These are areas that have been attractive for years, so it’s no surprise that investors are eyeballing neighborhoods like Waldo, Brookside, Plaza and even as far north as Westport. What makes them so appealing? Namely, the huge variety of housing options, as well the proximity to downtown and other locations within the city. For investors, there’s a good mix of property classes, with a decent inventory of homes in need of work as well as those that have already been rehabbed.

Downtown

Kansas City’s urban core has been on the upswing for a while now, and there are plenty of gems to be found in the area. Savvy investors can find properties in some of KC’s most up-and-coming neighborhoods, like Columbus Park, the River Market, and the Crossroads. While property values have risen significantly in these locales in the last several years, all signs point to continued increases, so striking now while revitalization efforts are still going on can mean serious profits.

Other Suburbs

Cities like Grandview, Liberty, Raytown, and even portions of Overland Park show lots of promise for investors too. While these locations are a bit farther from the action of the city, they’re all within a 20-30 minute drive from downtown. Each has their own attractive qualities as well, such as good schools, safe neighborhoods, and general feeling of community. There are also great real estate deals to be had in these areas, with options for all types of investors.

Kansas City isn’t the only hot real estate market right now, but it’s definitely one to consider for your investment. There are so many great things to say about the city and the people who live here, and targeting it for investment is a great way to secure your financial future.