Investor · Colorado Springs CO · Member since 2014 · 535 posts · 253 votes
11y
We own rentals in CA, AZ, and CO. We bought in CA first for a few reasons: it's where we live (so we can self-manage and work on it ourselves), we anticipated staying in CA for at least a while, and so we could get experience being landlords (my parents were landlords when I was growing up, but you learn so much more when YOU own the property!).
Since buying that rental, we have decided we will be leaving CA by 2020ish, and branched out to buy some rentals in AZ for a few reasons: only a 6 hour drive away, better ROI, lower prices, and landlord-friendly. We're strongly considering moving to CO when we leave CA, and just bought our CO rental late last year (part of the research I did on various states we considered moving to was how landlord-friendly they were).
So, as far as AZ and CO, my research and experience with those states is consistent with the assessment of them being landlord-friendly. Doubt you'll ever see CA on that list.
@Jason MillerI undestand what you mean by "targeting" people, landlords among them. Florissant Road is notorious as a speed trap with Ferguson Police, and it's even worse with Calverton Park. Go 36 in a 35, and you will know what I mean.
If investing in St Louis again, Webster Groves would be at the top of list for places to consider scouring for a buy and hold.
So would you buy either property again, knowing what you know now? Do you have property managers taking care of them?