What are class A neighborhoods, and how do we define them? In today’s blog, we will look at the characteristics of Class A neighborhoods and the type of properties you can expect to find in them. We will also discuss the pros and cons of these neighborhoods and what to expect from them.
Class A neighborhoods are ones at a higher level of comfort and luxury. They are well-maintained, large properties with a minimum of four bedrooms full of high-spec appliances, fixtures and fittings. They are well-landscaped and located in upmarket areas with low crime rates. The residents there are usually white-collar professionals with high-paying jobs, such as doctors, lawyers, business owners, etc. This means that the tenants are a low risk due to a higher level of income and job security, but the flip side of this coin suggests that they are also high maintenance, as they expect a level of service that relates to the premium rates of rent they pay.
While they are a popular choice for investors due to reliable tenants, and modern properties in respected neighborhoods, they are expensive to purchase. So as your initial outlay is going to be high, this will impact your cap rate and profitability going forward. However, you will be investing in a property ready to go, as you will not have to renovate due to the quality of the new build and its quality fixtures and fittings. So the requirement for contractors and tradespeople are reduced. Do factor in repair costs, which will be higher due to the maintenance and parts required for high-end fixtures and fittings. Higher specs usually mean higher repair costs and more of them.
So now you have the characteristics of neighborhoods classified as A, and remember, an A neighborhood doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a better investment opportunity. Consider the pros and cons and see if this fits your real estate investing strategy. Over the subsequent few editions of the blog, we will discuss class neighborhoods B, C and D. We’ll see in the next one to discuss Class B.
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