Safe Neighborhoods in Grand Rapids

[best_mom_of_2]

She does have a car which she uses to get to work. She currently lives in Copper Beach near the campus. Instead of lining someone else's pockets with the rent money, we thought a house somewhere between Allendale and GR would work. She would probably take the bus from the house to school because it is convienent and free. I really do like some of the areas in the city, but I am still concerned about resale in a few years. Just looking at the amount of homes for sale in the city right now has me concerned about investing there. I really do appreciate all of the input from anyone that has posted!

[Br1234]

Originally Posted by best_mom_of_2

She does have a car which she uses to get to work. She currently lives in Copper Beach near the campus. Instead of lining someone else's pockets with the rent money, we thought a house somewhere between Allendale and GR would work. She would probably take the bus from the house to school because it is convienent and free. I really do like some of the areas in the city, but I am still concerned about resale in a few years. Just looking at the amount of homes for sale in the city right now has me concerned about investing there. I really do appreciate all of the input from anyone that has posted!

Renting isn't all that bad.

How much are looking to spend on a home?

Does Smith (GE) pay her or is she an intern? When she starts receiving a full time paycheck from Smith she will easily afford to take over payments on a nice home. I don't see houses dropping much more but I also don't see any increases in value for a long time either. A home here is a place to live not an investment.

If you (or your daughter) are looking to stay less than 5 years, you should continue to rent.

BTW, I have deer in my backyard almost every night in the fall and spring and every now and then the rest of the year.

They don't have that in HH.

[suydam]

I agree with Br1234...if you're looking to hold it less than 5 years it's nothing but speculation... values are going to be stagnant in that time frame.

If you want your investment to hold value, I'd say the downtown area (more than HH) is your best bet. It has an influx of housing going in (that's why there's so much for sale) with over 1,000 condos added in the past year or two.

If you want deer, looks like Br1234 has the market cornered.

If you want safety, I honestly think you'll be fine in any number of places. GR is not a dangerous city save for a precious few neighborhoods that nobody's mentioned yet (i.e. you're not looking there anyway, so why worry about it).

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Br1234

Renting isn't all that bad.

How much are looking to spend on a home?

Does Smith (GE) pay her or is she an intern? When she starts receiving a full time paycheck from Smith she will easily afford to take over payments on a nice home. I don't see houses dropping much more but I also don't see any increases in value for a long time either. A home here is a place to live not an investment.

If you (or your daughter) are looking to stay less than 5 years, you should continue to rent.

BTW, I have deer in my backyard almost every night in the fall and spring and every now and then the rest of the year.

They don't have that in HH.

Uggh, I hate deer. We get them in our neighborhood occasionally on the NE side and they eat my perennials.

best_mom_of_2, you may want to enlist the services of a buyer's agent. Their commission comes from the seller through their listing agreement. If you need some names, shoot me a message.

[Br1234]

Originally Posted by suydam

I agree with Br1234...

If you want your investment to hold value, I'd say the downtown area (more than HH) is your best bet. It has an influx of housing going in (that's why there's so much for sale) with over 1,000 condos added in the past year or two.

Yeah, and you can avoid all property taxes and state and local income taxes while putting the burden on those of us who don't live in the city's renaissance zones. Then you can come on here and complain that the schools need more money even though you don't pay ANYTHING.

Sorry, best_mom_of_2. I had to get that out.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Br1234

Yeah, and you can avoid all property taxes and state and local income taxes while putting the burden on those of us who don't live in the city's renaissance zones. Then you can come on here and complain that the schools need more money even though you don't pay ANYTHING.

Sorry, best_mom_of_2. I had to get that out.

I know quite a few people who live in condos in Ren Zones, and I can't think of one that has kids and who would even care about the schools not having enough money. And actually, the school bond portion of property taxes is not exempt in the Ren Zones, just fyi.

BTW, why "can't" you live in the city's Ren Zones?

[Br1234]

Originally Posted by magellan

I know quite a few people who live in condos in Ren Zones, and I can't think of one that has kids and who would even care about the schools not having enough money. And actually, the school bond portion of property taxes is not exempt in the Ren Zones, just fyi.

BTW, why "can't" you live in the city's Ren Zones?

I would have to sell my house first.

If you want to base prop. taxes on who has kids you are opening up a whole new can of worms. I would have expected better from you.

I will research the non-exempt status you claim. I have never heard that.

[summer22]

As far as investments go...

I am shopping for a first investment property... rentals, and possible rehabs to upgrade and sell. Duplexes are a plus, but I'm also considering SFH's.

I want to keep the initial investment as low as possible, and for now that's limiting my search to rural counties (where prices are very cheap), certain areas of Toledo, and places like Muskegon that are slightly edgy but not unsafe. These are $40K to $80K homes.

Anything possible in this regard in the Grand Rapids area? What are some neighborhoods to look in? Dilapidated or low price is fine... but safety is not an option... I want to be able to sleep well at night knowing my tenants and building are going to be okay.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by summer22

As far as investments go...

I am shopping for a first investment property... rentals, and possible rehabs to upgrade and sell. Duplexes are a plus, but I'm also considering SFH's.

I want to keep the initial investment as low as possible, and for now that's limiting my search to rural counties (where prices are very cheap), certain areas of Toledo, and places like Muskegon that are slightly edgy but not unsafe. These are $40K to $80K homes.

Anything possible in this regard in the Grand Rapids area? What are some neighborhoods to look in? Dilapidated or low price is fine... but safety is not an option... I want to be able to sleep well at night knowing my tenants and building are going to be okay.

No where is completely safe, obviously. But if you're looking to buy and fix up rental homes in GR, and are worried about excessive crime, I'd steer clear of parts of the Southeast side (not all of Southeast side is bad). It's about a 4 square mile area roughly bordered by 131 on the West, Franklin on the North, Fuller on the East, and Burton on the South. It unfortunately has the most crime, the most poverty, and the most gang activity. Anything outside of that is a mix of pretty good neighborhoods with a few rundown pockets here and there.

I got just over 200 homes in the $80 - $90,000 range in Grand Rapids:

http://public.grar.com/public/pubsrc...59&NEXT=000001

I wouldn't go any less than $70 - $80K, as that will put you in the high crime areas.