[jmlowman]

Come on, now...we were in Flint for July 4th and the following week and saw a lot of positive things. On the daily drive from our hotel on Hill Road, up Linden Road to Pasadena to the in-laws' house, we passed all sorts of retail establishments that looked like they were doing well. The only vacancy I noticed was a former BBQ restaurant, but the other restaurants were alive and well. We enjoyed a number of ethnic restaurants in this area while we were in Flint.

There are several healthcare facilities along Linden Road, as well as two major competing investment firms directly across the road from each other.

The downtown area is making quite a return. Granted, it may never return to the level it was in the 50s and 60s, with major department stores and all, but the Genesee Valley Mall was more responsible for the decline years ago than the current economic situation. And U-M Flint is rapidly taking over the downtown as well.

So, some of the population is enjoying employment, if not prosperity. The major employers now seem to be healthcare and education.

[jaynarie]

Originally Posted by browndago

Mikal123@msn.com. I am interested in moving there and possibly buying some...maybe 3-5 units and use them as rentals. I am a carpenter by trade, and I specialize in remodeling/ restoration/ repair work. My goal is to have enough rentals that will pay for themselves, then serve as a retirement income 20+ years from now. Also, if you know any investors, I will be available next month in that area with all my tools and knowledge. Please advise.

Flint is home to me and it is not nearly as bad as some people say it is. They are trying to turn it around- especially the downtown area.
That said, I would NOT buy a rental home in Flint, Flint Township or Burton (except for maybe in the Kersley school district). People do not have much money and your rental will cost more in upkeep and expenses than it will pull in (unpaid rent, damages, etc...) Plus, rent is CHEAP. I paid $350 for an apartment in Davison (suburb with fantastic schools) and my heat and everything was included. This was just 2 years ago. My sister pays $400 a month for a house in Burton. It has just been remodeled (new paint, fixtures, appliances, carpet in the bedroom) and has hardwood floors in the main living area. This included all utilities but electric and she has 2 huge dogs. Plus, this is in one of the nicer neighborhoods.
It is not a wise investment, IMO

[Brie85]

Flint has been economically depressed for quite some time and the population is decreasing as people are forced to move in order to find employment.

Flint also suffers from crime. On a 1-10 scale (1 being least crime, 10 being most), Flint ranked 8/10 in violent crime and 7/10 in property crime. US averages for violent and property crime are both 3/10.

I wouldn't expect to make money off of an investment property in Flint.

[Kman777]

Flint, Saginaw and Detroit are all high in crime, shootings. That is all you hear on the news in mid Michigan is another shooting in Saginaw or Flint. 90% of the time it is gang related crap I think. I am holding back from saying something racists here, but I think some of you know what I am thinking.

[rented]

Originally Posted by browndago

Mikal123@msn.com. I am interested in moving there and possibly buying some...maybe 3-5 units and use them as rentals. I am a carpenter by trade, and I specialize in remodeling/ restoration/ repair work. My goal is to have enough rentals that will pay for themselves, then serve as a retirement income 20+ years from now. Also, if you know any investors, I will be available next month in that area with all my tools and knowledge. Please advise.

Hello, My name is Renee and I live here in Burton, I have read your article that you are interested in coming to the flint area. I can give you a little insight about flint and investing here.


I have been working with investor's for five years now, I remodel and do repair work for them (I am not a licensed contractor) I have only worked with a couple of investor's, the first one's invested in a complex of about 125 units they can only keep a 50% occupancy with the turn over of at least four to five units a month. They are barely making the payments to stay alive. I know another invester who owns approximately 25 units and only about ten are rented. The rental turn over is the same, at least once a month he is evicting someone for non payment. I am currently working with an investor who is losing some of his properties, the rental tun-over is the same he is in and out of court every month. I know that investing here would not be a wise choice, the first investors will never buy property here they have had good offers on other units but they say it's not worth it, they are not making a gain here.
I do know that Chicago is a good place to invest, but you really have to research that. We were working on a complex there and we had the units rented before we started, but things didn't go the way the investors had expected, they didn't research what they were getting into, basically that would be a key to success make sure that you research what you are investing. I know that you are a contractor and that is a plus.


I hope this information has helped you in making a decision, if you need any help just contact me and I will do what I can.





Good Luck,
Renee




E-mail--Billt1955@yahoo.com

[hydigger]

Did anyone see the NBC pc. on the news last night? Flint is tearing down 4 homes a day and no plans to rebuild. The city is declining fast, not as fast as Detroit, but close. I would not move to any Michigan city as that state is not going to improve for a long long time. 2 years ago there were those on this very forum that said that the ice cream lines were doing well and it was all just a small glitch, and others that said that the price of vacant land was going up and they could not find deals. I don't think this line of thinking is going very far today.

[michiganbob]

Originally Posted by hydigger

Did anyone see the NBC pc. on the news last night? Flint is tearing down 4 homes a day and no plans to rebuild.

Actually, it was ABC News Nightline. You can watch the sad video for yourself here: Nightline - ABC News

[krock1dk]

Let me answer your question with a question. Why would anybody want to move there? Flint is known as Grime and Grit, USA. It has a violent crime rate nearlly identical to Detroit (60-miles south). And has lost the most jobs of any city outside Detroit. Flint is one of the worst palces to live. Does that answer your question??

[hydigger]

the city is doing worse than when M, Moore did Roger and me. I think even the pets or meat lady moved.

[jaynarie]

The rabbit lady.
My grandparents lived 2 blocks from her. They have been gone for a while now, or I would call and ask my mom if she is still around. But, she won't know since there is no reason to go to the East Side. Unless you are craving Angelos