How’s the St.Jospeh, MO market??

Question

Newbie here from California. Trying to get my feet wet with a low risk entry into the investment realm. I keep coming across St. Joseph, Missouri for pretty reasonable and affordable properties. I  thought I would check in with some of y’all and get y’all expert opinion.

Barbara Willson · Answer

Hi Al,  I'm also from California but have lived and worked I the Kansas City area for over 30 years now.  In my experience of being a real estate investor and realtor I have to say that Kansas City is a better investment for your money .  There is very little industry and businesses in the St. Joe area so you would be dealing mostly with low rentals.  If that's your market then go for it but I would not.  Barbara

Refayet Anzir · Answer

@Lee Ripma

Hi Lee ,

I have been a long time lurker here on BiggerPockets  still waiting to pull the trigger on buying my second investment property . I have seen your posts on Kansas City and really appreciate sharing some golden nuggets from your experience investing there. I am kind of trying to decide between 3-4 markets to buy my next investment property out of which Kansas City is one . It would be great if we could connect so we could discuss a bit more on real estate in that area  as an out of state investor .

Sofia Sharkey · Answer

@Al Ahquin not much going on in St Joe. KC on the other hand has lots of growth ahead and there are many surrounding markets that are great.

Eileen Frausto · Answer

@Lee Ripma

Hi Lee! Can we connect? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I currently live in LA and am looking at KC to invest.

Eileen

Lee Ripma · Answer

@Al Ahquin

I'm an investor in the KC market and I wouldn't buy in St Joe. It's small town with a lot of old cheap houses. It's hayday is long past, that used to be where the crossing of the Missouri river was. Well now there are lots of other bridges so no one needs to go there anymore. You can get cash flow because the prices are so low. However, the housing stock is very old and the houses are all from the turn of the century. Rents are low and population growth is non-existent.

Kansas City has great growth but St. Joe won't really benefit from all that growth because there is a whole lot of land in the surrounding area (unlike CA). My advice, pay higher prices to be in the path of progress in KC. I'm happy to suggest some areas. If you want lower price points checkout Grandview and Belton, KC suburbs. For a bit more you can get into Blue Springs, Lee's Summit, and Grain Valley. There are lots of great submarkets in KC but St. Joe isn't one of them!

Al Ahquin · Answer

@Lee Ripma

Lee I just listened to your interview on the BiggerPockets podcast. I feel so thankful and grateful for the knowledge and inspiration I’ve gained from the interview. I appreciate it, more than you know! I’m gonna check out those sub markets you suggested. Thank you again!

Joshua Espejo · Answer

Al Ahquin, haven't heard too much from St. Joe in my research. I am starting to invest in the 66101 area (Kansas side of KC), and see deals all around on the MLS! It's just right now, since the housing market is so hot, a lot of sellers are pretty optimistic about their prices.

Also, I guess I gotta give Lee's podcast a listen!

Good luck to you man! Feel free to contact if you have any questions

Al Ahquin · Answer

@Joshua Espejo

Right on...thanks for the info Joshua. Best of luck to you as well! I’ll be sure to keep in contact when those tough questions arise.

Dmitriy Fomichenko · Answer

@Al Ahquin wishing you success in your journey!

Al Ahquin · Answer

@Brett G.

Brett, much appreciated!! Thank you for the response. I’m banking on the long term play hoping the city life in KC will deter some for the slower pace life. I’ll do as suggested and talk to some local realtors and gather more information. Thanks again!

How’s the St.Jospeh, MO market??

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