Get on Realtor.com and browse some of the listing in the $250,000 price range you can get huge homes in decent neighborhoods but getting to and from your home is the dangerous part.

I'm seriously considering looking into purchasing more rental properties...some might even be in that city, if the prices are so low and still in decent shape.

And, yes...I'm still pouring into my 401k as well as other investments.

But, but, the revolution is coming, Commander!

Actually, Mistress, if you go in the right area, there are some nice ones in relatively safe areas. If you were serious, I could find them for you.

The right condo would be good also, to reduce your maintenance costs in the off season. Unless you need a bonded house-sitter, which is also possible and cheap.

Farm land is so cheap I am seriously rethinking my plan to leave. Instead, I'll buy 4 acres off a farmer friend who is having hard times and put up a mostly energy-independent repair facility and fun house for my stuff. :)

MY friend the PhD chemist-nudist is now making his own natural gas from the stuff he gets from farmers and selling the leftovers to the fertilizer industry. Last year he made $38,000 on a 1,240 hour investment, a little over 30/hour. He calculated the whole thing out. :eek: He did spend an additional $9,000 on equipment, but he can resell that and break even or close, on that as well.

My plan is less ambitious: I want to use passive solar, wind power and wood, and erect a separate building for wrenching and making as much biodiesel as my cars can handle. :D:)

The whole thing will cost about $ 16,000 and provide me 6,000 sq feet of space for storage repair and fun. Not including the indoor/outdoor target range. :D

You guys are invited, but please-- only MBs or Citroens...well, maybe Borgwards and Bimmers :P

Don't do it there. I know a Detroit landlord that is giving her properties back to the bank and selling the ones owned outright. Qualified tenants are extremely difficult to find.

Take your garbage elsewhere...now you are hunting me down in each and every thread I post in.

Perhaps some could be bought an sat on for a few years...I guess it really depends on the neighborhood

Most of these need "some" TLC...
This one is $1,650 and includes a lawn, windows, and a roof, 4400 square feet, right by the highway so quick in/out! :rolleyes: Also appears to be an abandoned gas station behind it.
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/12830-Evanston-St_Detroit_MI_48213_1108178407

http://p.rdcpix.com/v01/le7750d42-m0m.jpg

At that price, buy the house and strip it for copper and reusable building materials. Raze the house after you've recouped your expenses and pay tax on a vacant lot.

Heck, FEMA could buy these houses for Katrina victims cheaper than a trailer, although a little harder to move;)

In St. Louis old brick houses are stripped for the copper, and "brick rustling" the brick by thieves. They should just go to Detroit and do it legally, they may make more money that way. :rolleyes: Those poor brick colonials :o

That's not a bad idea...

Used brick is a valuable commodity, and you could hire labor to clean them for next to nothing. I smell opportunity.

An empty lot would be worth more in the future as the city will be more willing to re-zone certain areas...unless they decide to us eminent domain

All these comments, make it sound Post-apocalyptic or something.


Like a real-life "Terminator 11" vision of a city, maybe....

That is sad.

I'm wondering how easy it is to secure any type of insurance on the property.