The brick ranch in Southeast Raleigh is the clear winner on paper. The land value inside the beltline is rising much faster than Garner, which means your equity play is stronger. Your PITI might be slightly higher if the city taxes adjust upward in the next revaluation, but your vacancy rate will be virtually zero because of the proximity to the university and downtown employers.

Garner has better schools and lower property taxes. Families stay longer in rentals out here.

Is that Garner place on city sewer or is it on a septic system? A lot of those 1980s developments near Lake Benson are on older systems. If you have tenants who flush things they should not, you will be paying me to pump that tank every two years instead of five. Check the permits with the county first.

If that 1968 ranch has a fireplace, please have a certified chimney sweep look at the clay liner. Many of those mid-century ranches have cracked flues that are major carbon monoxide hazards. It is a simple safety check that could save you a massive liability headache later on, especially with future tenants.

I actually bought a mid-century place in Southeast Raleigh last year! I love the location, but I already had to call a plumber because the original cast iron sewer lines under the slab were completely rusted out. It cost more than my car to fix. Just make sure you get a sewer scope done during your inspection period.