Zillow Rentals shows no units for rent in a neighborhood

[Marvin Barrera]

I’m trying to learn how to analyze neighborhoods by checking rent prices. If an app like Zillow Rentals shows no units for rent in a certain neighborhood, does that mean most people there are mostly homeowners and therefore it’ll be harder to find people who want to rent there? For example right now I’m checking the neighborhood around Five Palms Dr and Sweet Maiden St. in the 78242 zip code of San Antonio, and it doesn’t show any units for rent. Just the rent prices for off market properties. Does that mean that neighborhood isn’t a good place to buy a rental property because there will be a lack of tenants looking to rent?

[Rick Pozos]

Two things:

1st Zillow is horrible and should not be used AT ALL for anything. If you want to see what is for rent, use Realtor dot com. It has all the mls listings so you know that realtors are the ones listing the properties. I am more comfortable using this. Realtors tend to price properties at market price so you get a better feel for what the market can bear.

2nd That area is very rough. I dont know if you are looking for something turn key or ready to do a rehab and rent out, but I would not be in that area. In fact, I am not in that area and when something comes up, I might wholesale it or just pass on it.

People in the lower income areas seem to be a little harder on the properties.