Specialist · New York City, NY · Member since 2019 · 34 posts · 111 votes
Would like to hear from others on this one.
Often, when I tell someone about an apartment building located in a class C neighborhood in NYC, the first question they ask is whether I carry a gun when visiting the property. The building isn't the safest and I have had gangs/drug dealers make threats in the past but I don't carry a gun or any other type of weapon when visiting the property.
Not just because it's extremely difficult to obtain a permit in NYC but more so because I believe carrying a gun would make me come off as more threatening which in turn can cause others to be more aggressive as well. In addition, don't think someone who isn't highly trained (situational and response training) will necessarily use a gun properly if it actually came down to it.
Some people insist that carrying a gun will cause trouble makers to have more respect.
For those actively managing C-F class properties, do you carry any sort of weapon when visiting a given property?
Rental Property Investor · SF Bay Area, CA · Member since 2017 · 45 posts · 112 votes
7y
As someone with 25 years as a cop...
1) Do not carry a gun if you can't do it legally. Places like NYC will prosecute YOU if you use that gun, even if justified in using it.
2). Do not carry a gun if you are not fully trained and plan on continuing that training. It isn't something you take a weekend course and then think you are done. It is ongoing and regular training as it is a perishable skill.
Also, if you are carrying, people don't "respect" you because of that. If you are doing it properly, they won't know you have a firearm. I can't speak to NYC laws, but in CA, open cary is not legal, so there ins't that element of them avoiding conflict because you are armed. "Brandishing" or flashing your firearm, even if legally concealed is a crime in most states... So, put it out of your mind that having a firearm will make people avoid conflict with you. In most circumstances, it creates problems.
That being said, carrying a firearm isn't for most people because of local laws, but more commonly because their lack of dedication to training.
I would suggest pepper spray or a taser.
Pepper spray for civilians is available at the same levels that the police cary.
Tasers for civilians use the same technology. The exception is the Tasers for civilians activate for 30 seconds and are designed to deploy, drop the taser and run away. At 800-1000, it is expensive.
From someone who is a cop and an investor, I would re-think these properties. If they are that bad, they aren't worth it.
But, if you can do it legally, and are willing to put in the time to train and keep your skills sharp, most cops, including myself, welcome an armed civilian legally carrying and making good decisions.
Rental Property Investor · Beaverton, OR · Member since 2018 · 88 posts · 155 votes
7y
@Wy Kay - good question... but probably depends on the individual. I carry a concealed weapon everywhere, legally. That being said I’ve spent the last 14 years of my life/career carrying a gun, have had extensive training both with using concealed weapons and exposed, so I’m certainly comfortable and capable. But I never advertise that I’m armed.
But guns aren’t for everyone, if you’re not trained you may just be exposing yourself to more problems in all reality. If the gun is visible people may leave you alone... or you may become the first target.
Other option is to invest in less war zone type neighborhoods. Why push your luck... gun or no gun.
Rental Property Investor · Chappaqua, NY · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 947 votes
7y
@wy I would think about this long term. Do you want to be stuck carrying a gun every time you goto your property? What happens if you have an incicdemt fire your weapon and the police confiscate it. Can you still go to the area knowing everyone and their mother knows your disarmed?
I hate carrying extra keys on me never mind a gun. I do carry 2 pepper sprays. Just in case I’m dealing with a big crowd....and yes I have used them. They work really well.
Asheville, NC · Member since 2017 · 170 posts · 242 votes
7y
Who is the gun protecting anyone from? You from your tenants ? Why have you rented to these tenants? I’m a woman with two C class properties .. ones probably a C- ish. Maybe D+. A nice house still finds decent working class tenants who won’t shoot me.
Real estate is a risky business. If I was scared all the time I wouldn’t take these kinds of risks buying in c/d neighborhoods. Or buying RE at all.
I don’t buy in neighborhoods where I’m afraid. I don’t want to rent to these kinds of people.
Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
7y
I dont need a gun when I am in a bad area , I just have an argument with the invisible man next to me , or I talk to my hand really weird . Funny how people leave me alone .
Investor · Hampton, VA · Member since 2017 · 49 posts · 86 votes
7y
This is my personal rule and I wouldn't fault anyone else for not following it. But I would never rent to others in an area I wouldn't live or feel safe in. I also wouldn't call that type of area a C class property. I would call it a war zone. Now there is a lot of money to be made in war zones from what I"ve heard. In my neck of the woods the property is dirt cheap and rent is above market because it's government subsidized. With that said if you can legally carry one it's better to have a gun and not need it than to need it and not have it.
I dont need a gun when I am in a bad area , I just have an argument with the invisible man next to me , or I talk to my hand really weird . Funny how people leave me alone .
HaHa! so true, when you are "crazy" nobody wants to even look in your direction
Who is the gun protecting anyone from? You from your tenants ? Why have you rented to these tenants? I’m a woman with two C class properties .. ones probably a C- ish. Maybe D+. A nice house still finds decent working class tenants who won’t shoot me.
Real estate is a risky business. If I was scared all the time I wouldn’t take these kinds of risks buying in c/d neighborhoods. Or buying RE at all.
I don’t buy in neighborhoods where I’m afraid. I don’t want to rent to these kinds of people.
This holds true. I own in a rough C/D type area and have great hard working tenants I found after proper screening. Like the local cops told me "its only 1% of the population in my city that are complete violate criminals" If you weed out the 1% during tenant screening, that leaves you with 99% of the population to pick the best candidates to rent to.
Flipper/Rehabber · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2014 · 173 posts · 121 votes
7y
When ever I view an off market property that is vacant/with someone I don’t know I always stop and grab a coffee.
It’s casual and allows me to hold my “safety/weapon” in my hand at all times which buys me the two seconds I’d have to reach in pocket for some type of pepper spray/firearm etc
I’ve never had to utilize it except an occasional sip or two myself 😆.
Flipper/Rehabber · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2017 · 19 posts · 10 votes
7y
@Wy Kay in Ohio I carry everywhere I can legally. Bad things happen in “A” neighborhoods also. The main thing is that nobody ever knows that I have it. In Ohio, I can open carry or conceal carry. Concealed is the only way to go. Open carry and you’re looking for trouble.
Atlanta, GA · Member since 2016 · 53 posts · 78 votes
7y
As someone who was just robbed at a property yesterday, I have some thoughts that are pretty raw. I was looking to purchase a property that was in a not so hot neighborhood. But I have been doing this a while, so I thought I was street smart. I brought my mace with me and had it in ready position. When I was at the back of the house the guy came up on me quickly and I could not even pull the trigger. I was in total shock over what was happening. Thankfully the only injuries I have are due to him having to pry my purse from me and me falling to the ground. I am thankful that I did not have a gun. It was evident that this guy just wanted my purse.
I coach my kids all the time that if someone holds them up, just hand over your phone or wallet. But when the time came for me, I went into some kind of survival mode and couldn't operate. If I had a gun, I don't know what would have happened. Needless to say, I am not buying the property!
China, ME · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
7y
As a Realtor working with investors, I frequently go into abandoned properties. I never know what I'm going to find when I walk in - drug dealers, squatters, vandals, etc. Or I could be showing any kind of property to a potential mugger.
For my own protection, I obtained my concealed carry permit and carry a Smith & Wesson .38 +P Airweight revolver. It's in my pocket inside a neoprene holster, which hides the outline very well. You'll never know it's there. It's loaded with hollow points to reduce the chances of a round carrying further than intended. It has a short 1.875" barrel, so it's not ideal for plinking tin cans at 100 yards - but in my line of work, I expect encounters to take place within 10 feet or less.
I pray that I'll never have to use it. I know it will open up a nightmare of legal, spiritual and financial problems, but as the old saying goes, I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
Real Estate Broker · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2017 · 719 posts · 658 votes
7y
A gun is like an insurance with high deductible: you buy it not to use if your plumbing needs $300 repair but if the house get burnt down. You get it just in case if something really beyond your control happens.
My tenants have guns to protect themselves and it’s in one of the nicest parts of Euclid. In that area couple years ago a man get shot right next to his home - and again, this is C+ area, not D or F.
Anything can happen any time and better be ready than sorry later.
I don’t carry my gun around but I do have it in my car and my house as well. It’s not about my Tenants I choose - it’s about life around me. I have the insurance - CCW license
Investor · Sharpsville, PA · Member since 2016 · 45 posts · 22 votes
7y
A lot of good information has already been given especially from the first commentor. Much about carrying a gun will be mindset in training. I recommend starting by downloading the Concealed Carry podcast and listening to it as many episodes as you find interesting. I recommend Concealed Carry mostly because I like their overall approach And as a last commentor said it is much like having a high deductible insurance policy.
And as a last commentor said it is much like having a high deductible insurance policy.
A decision of whether or not you carry a gun should be separate from your investment decisions they should be an overall lifestyle decision.
I would be more worried about Walmart or a gas station there any of the properties I own. That being said living in North West Pennsylvania when the subject came up at work a month ago I was surprised to find out about 50% of the men I work with carry a concealed gun at least some of the time. In New York City that would be quite different.
Just like in real estate I believe you need to get as much information and training as possible before just jumping in.
Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2016 · 45 posts · 10 votes
7y
@Wy Kay seems like there’s a lot that people have to say about this topic. My advice is no. Is your life or another human’s life worth the rent you’re collecting? The stories you see on the news is the exception, not the rule. You’ll never see a headline “landlord successfully collects rent and not robbed”. If someone wants to rob you, they’ll “get the drop” before you can pull that pistol out. I have an anecdote, in OKC an off duty veteran sheriff’s deputy was making the nightly deposit for a restaurant. Robber came up on him before he knew what happened. He didn’t pull his weapon, just handed over the money. Robber was caught. And no one died. Situational awareness is your best protection. Feel uneasy? Have renter send a money order, I know land lords that now have tenets ApplyPay them rents. Or maybe, sadly don’t be in those areas.
The consequences of having a firearm usually outweighs the one time it’ll be used for defense. A firearm is 43% more likely to injure/kill someone you know than actually used in self defense. If you do carry, respect that firearm and understand the consequences of every action. Like my grandfather always told me “it’s not a toy”.
Rental Property Investor · New York City · Member since 2019 · 703 posts · 538 votes
7y
IMO - NYC is not the same city it was pre Giuliani. It's generally a very safe City. Of course you have good and bad everywhere but for it being the largest US city it's safe. I was born and raised in it and work in all 5 boroughs with no issues.