Buying Real Estate

The first thing I consider when looking at buying a rental property is what area I should buy in. I let my real estate agent know what areas I want to look at so that I am not wasting my time or theirs by going to areas that would not fill my goals. I drive through the area at different times of day also. Make sure you go by after 10 pm to get a feet for the area at night. I want an area that the renters are generally long term tenants. Is there employment near by, Is is a place of high turn over, Is it convenient to get to, is the area in good repair, Is the area in high demand for apartments or rental houses, find out what the competition is in the area, What are the neighbors like, Once I determine that I will be able to rent to people who will stay a minimum of a year and will enjoy and feel safe in the area then I start to look at the building.