Investment advice (Baltimore, Fort Meade: fit in, sale, real estate)

[goodday17]

Does anyone have advice on a good property to purchase as an investment? The goal would be to live in the home for 3 years and then sell with the intent of making a decent profit. Wondering about Piney Orchard? Are the townhouses a good investment? Advice would be great. Would like to be within 30 minutes of Fort Meade if possible.

[emsgoof]

Get a metal garbage can.
Put $100 bills in it.
Set it on fire.
Equals about the same, especially around the DC / MD / NOVA area. Housing prices are artificially high, and most are expecting them to come down in the next year or so.

[sundaze]

I do not think it is a good idea to buy property for investments. Housing prices are falling and most financial experts do no think they have hit bottom yet. Some people in the real estate business may say otherwise, but they have a personal financial interest involved. When you also consider the transaction costs of buying or selling property, the chances of making a profit become even less. Real estate is a very illiquid investment. If you decide you need money and want to sell your property, there is no guarantee you could sell it at all, much less in a length of time that would give you access to your money. Finally, even if you could make a profit in three years (which I would consider next to impossible in current conditions) capital gains tax would reduce the amount of your gain. In sum, a whole lot of risk with almost no likelihood of gain.

[fusky25]

I WOULD SAY go to the houston area. In particular check on the net of pricing of homes in Spring, Richmond, Katy (katy is booming along I-10) - Houston downtown is building big time. Our property has gained $20,000 in less than two years and it's rented to help pay the mortgage. We just bought another and hope to be as lucky. If you need a good agent, I can recommend some I have met. Good luck investing.

[lscalder]

If you want to invest into Real Estate I would suggest Baltimroe City. Prices there are going up instead of going down. The Real Estate depreication is affecting areas that have already appreciate a whole lot. Its Baltimore City time to appreciate all the other counties in Maryland have already increased in value. Lots of money to me made now in Baltimore city. The capital gain tax donot affect you if you live int he home 2 yrs out of the 5 years. So if you are living in the home for 3 years you will not be affect by the capital gain tax. For the government not to tax you on your sale if you are single your profit who have to be $250,000 or less or if you are married its $500,000.

[goodday17]

Thank you for the information! We would be living in the property so the capital gains would not be an issue. We are a military family and are trying to invest wisely so we will not loose money when he has a change of station in approximately 3 years. Thanks again!

[lscalder]

Baltimore county is also a good area to invest. certain areas

[koofie]

Also look at the type of house - I know some of the higher-end homes are now out of people's price ranges and are harder to sell.

[goodday17]

Thanks for taking the time to provide advice. I will keep all these suggestions in mind as we look. Thanks again!