I do plan to keep it as a long term rental (it's 4 blocks away from my house), I just don't like that almost all the applicants have pets (only 1 didn't have one) so that being said I would hate for a cat/dog to ruin my brand new hardwood floors with their pee but maybe I'm being to paranoid and maybe it's worth the risk and make it a high end rental and hopefully keep the high rent.I still haven't put in the granite, this was one of the conditions for me to charge $1,700/month, I haven't done a good job on doing my homework about the type of upgrades on the rentals in the area, I do remember seeing a couple that mentioned granite, I definitely need to be sharper and get to know my market real well, I was thinking the best way to do this is to become a "prospective" tenant and go check out all the inventory for rent in the area.

I try and stay west, Old Brooklyn, Parma etc.I would have to agree with Ryan, It amazes me how much the clientele and the rental rates can change within a couple of blocks.

I did something and got blocked from messages.

I know this because I do own other properties a few blocks away.

Junk or shabby cars (on blocks or flat tires) are also an indicator of inhabitants inability to maintain them.

Apparently, a few other properties on the block got rented out and lots of owners weren't happy about it.Much of what he said sounds like hearsay, not based in evidence, but is there any truth to it?

I am building four sided block, not steel.

(e.g. is your subject located next to a liquor store or are the properties to the left, right, front and rear of the subject vacant and boarded up or is it located behind a gas station or is the neighbor's yard full of miscellaneous junk and 5 inoperable vehicles all supported on cinder blocks or is it a nice quiet neighborhood where everybody has a manicured lawn).The smell test - once you walk in the front door of your subject, despite the pretty pictures on the MLS or on Craigslist, do you have to have CPR because you immediately collapsed to the ground unable to support your weight...overcome by the aroma coming from the interior of the subject?

There is a larger 2 story a few blocks away currently rented at $1200 for the last two years.

I cannot find it but can find a ton within a block or two.