Recent graduate seeking advice about investing in Baltimore

[Colin K.]

Hello,

My name is Colin and I am a recent college graduate and have a strong desire to start to invest in real estate early. I went to college in Baltimore and have seen the real estate potential there and the low prices which are enticing to someone in my position. I am seeking advice from people who either are in the Baltimore real estate scene or anyone else who could help. For purchasing, I would be looking at row homes that are $55k or less and preferably in decent condition that don't need major repairs, as I have seen some do exist on sites like Zillow. Should I stay away from foreclosure auctions even though there are dozens of them in Baltimore? I know the basic neighborhoods of Baltimore but how do I know if a property is in a decent part of the city, as I know Baltimore in particular changes quickly from street to street. Are there certain banks you have dealt with in the area that have been advantageous for loans and mortgages? Is there anything specifically I should know about row homes that differ from traditional single or multi family properties? Any and all advice would be extremely helpful and appreciated as I am learning quickly but thoroughly. Thank you!

[Benjamin Meyer]

@Colin Kanuch I'd say simply drive around Baltimore and you'll quickly discover the areas you'd want to invest in and avoid. If you don't feel comfortable stopped at a stop sign while driving around I would say avoid it. I'd also suggest going to public auctions and simply watching and meeting the auctioneer and auction associates. I went to 3 auctions last week, all row homes and in different area types, all sold for under 35k.