Second one, in the same neighborhood, I used hard and private money to purchase and will be doing a refi with a local bank shortly. 

Shop around with another insurance company.

We considered "shopping" out tax prep the last two years, but they send us a form with our last years info and a link to upload all our docs and we just upload it all and say thank you when it comes down to T-day.

I think what you might be looking for is here.http://www.baltimoresustainability.org/projects/gr...has maps at the bottom and 4 specific neighborhoods with more detail halfway down the page.

You couldn't be more right that single family homes in a decent neighborhood are a bit more outside of my price range here in raleigh at the moment.Is there anyway we could meet up for coffee or lunch to chat further.

I've not, but folks around here do it all the time, especially in older neighborhood that tend to have small bungalow style houses. 

I'd love to hear some feedback from those familiar with this market that can speak to the type of neighborhoods they are in.

Shop that around because some will and some won't.Feel free to PM me if you need additional guidance.Stephanie

Don't buy in the roughest neighborhood in the urban core.

I did see Burbank/Del Monte redevelopment plan in San Jose city website, but seems rather vague, i.e develop parks, improve circuilation, beautify neighborhood, etc.