All Forum Posts by: Karen DiNapoli

@Matt R. - I used that website to look up zip codes that I am very familiar with (places I've lived and currently live) and I can not believe how accurate the description is! I hope it is as accurate for the locations I want to live in. Thank you for this website! I will definitely use this during my search!

@Matt R. - love that!!! I will most definitely use it! They were pretty spot on with Stevensons Ranch! 

@Account Closed - Do I know you? Your name sounds familiar. :)

@Dani Beit-Or Thanks for you reply! My investment goal is to buy and hold only in good neighborhoods. Not looking to chase after rents my whole life! The other areas that I had been interested in is Grand Rapids, MI and Milwaukee, WI. My cousin lives in Milwaukee so I like that I have someone I can trust to ask about neighborhoods. However, I don't like the idea that it snows there and I could potentially have months of vacancy because of weather! I guess I have to be very strategic of when to buy and rent out if I decide to go out that way. I also looked into Texas. I was looking in Rockwall...not Dallas or Houston. Florida makes me nervous with all those hurricanes!

Honestly, Phoenix is pretty low or not even on my list anymore!  

If you are investing out of state, how do you know what are the good neighborhoods vs bad ones. I look at greatschools to see their ratings. That's how I found a great school for my daughter so I know it's a pretty good indicator. What do you use?

@Ciprian L.-I would like to buy and hold. And I definitely don't want to buy in a market that is in a bubble whether it is local or out of state!

David Faulkner - thanks for explaining. That makes total sense! That's why I'm here on BP - to learn!

Ciprian L. -you mention buying quality over quantity. I feel like I can't buy quality here in S CA. To buy a quality CONDO, I would have to be in the 500k+ range. Plus LA is in a bubble right now. Wrong time to invest in CA.

@Matt R.- you make a good point about a higher home ownership area. The way I look at it is that home prices are low enough there that people would rather own than buy. Higher prices neighborhoods, such as studio city, people are priced out, therefore would have to rent vs buy in order to live in those neighborhoods. I could be wrong...I am a newbie and still learning. I appreciate your input and advice! 

@Clayton Mobley - you mentioned that I should focus on a team rather than location. However, how can I build a team without finding the location? If I need a property manager, RE agent, contractor, etc...they need to be in the same county/state that the property is in, right? I can't use a Texas agent and buy a house in Wisconsin. I feel like I need to pick my market first, and then build a team. What's your input? Look forward to your response! :)

@Matt R. - that crime data seems very useful in finding a good neighborhood. Thanks for turning me on to this website! I love all the data it provides. And you do make some interesting points. However, Trulia mentions that 73% of the Palmdale residents are homeowners. My strategy is to buy and hold. Seems like the rental market isn't too big out there.