Places for $125k in Chicago are in areas that just aren’t worth the trouble, especially for flipping; too much danger of over-improving and not enough upside for the hassle in any event.

Danger!

However you look at it, I like do invest in houses and make them something nice that someone can live in and enjoy their yard and privacy, and not have the stress of the weed smoke coming through the ducts, or the stomping guy on top of them or the dangerous dogs that every walks around the complexes.

Using flooring that requires any kind of bulky nosings are dangerous as well.

@Bruce Woodruff Interesting, I am curious as to why longer term rentals would be significantly more dangerous than shorter term rentals.

Do the numbers make sense, yes.Does the deal make sense, TBD.Kind of hard to ask for a deal analysis and then complain when people look at the deal as a whole and point out obvious pitfalls and dangers unrelated to the numbers.But heck, it's not our money, go for it!

If the answer is that the investment HAS TO pay off and you are ALL IN then that can be a dangerous decision.I have lived in GA all my life and do not know any properties currently at 50k to 100k that are amazing.

In fact there's been practically an explosion of them over the past few years.The best ones will help you vet your deal and go over your rehab #s with you, because they want you to succeed and want to build a long term relationship.

I would love to talk more about your experiences owning in the "danger zones".

I'm currently trying to make my entry investing in the Smyrna area because I have a better support group there, but I do see the huge potential of East Point if you invest in the couple of good neighborhoods (and the dangers of investing anywhere else here).