SoCal - Bakersfield, Victorville or Other?

[John Minnix]

Hello,

I'm interested in purchasing my first rental property.  Ideally, I would like to start with a duplex, triplex or fourplex in the $200K to $300K range with an emphasis on cash flow.  As Greater LA is priced out, I've been exploring lower cost areas like Bakersfield and Victorville.  I'm curious if anyone has any pros or cons between the two areas, or if there are other areas I should be considering.  Also, if anyone has insights into particular parts of Bakersfield or Victorville I should target, I would really appreciate the advice.

Thanks,

John

[Max Gradowitz]

You can easily find 2-4 units that in Bakersfield in that price range that cash flow well.  There's a strong rental economy here so investors profit well from buying multi-unit properties here.  In that price range, I'd focus on Oildale (North Bakersfield), Northeast, and Downtown.  All of these areas have (mostly) decent quality neighborhoods with a high amount of tenant density.  At the higher end of that price range you may be able to find some duplexes in the higher end areas of town, Northwest and Southwest.  I would avoid South of Brundage and East of 99 freeway, and in general the far outskirts of town, as these tend to be low density rental areas with higher vacancy rates.