Dumpling: Thanks for your advice, this is helpful

Quote Originally Posted by Dumpling View Post
Detroit PROPER as a whole is one hundred times more dangerous than Pleasanton, California [[based on www.crimemapping.com). A house left unoccupied will have squatters and scrappers dropping in and causing
massive damage within three months. This will be distressing to the outside
investor as well as the owner-occupants next door.
I would recommend to outside investors, if they wish to purchase a single house but leave it unoccupied in the Detroit area, to select a house in a lower crime area such as a suburb. I would suggest Farmington Hills. It will cost more but your chances of recouping your investment are so much better.
Owner-occupants are generally very welcome and needed in Detroit. You will want to check out your immediate neighbors by your prospective house. If you are a newbie pass up any house next door to drug dealers. Most houses
are next door to very nice people. Ask a few prospective neighbors with
nice houses and yards and they will be glad to give you suggestions and
describe any problems you might encounter [[with city services, crime, etc.).