This is the next article in my series on real estate investing in Dayton, Ohio. My last post explained why I do not believe Dayton has been “left behind.” That post was in response to a 2018 Frontline special which painted a bad picture of our city. As stated in my last post, the statistics simply don’t back up that claim in my opinion. In this post I will touch on another issue which relates to improving conditions in our area – Dayton’s large reduction in opioid related deaths. The fact that our city is successfully battling what had been seen as an “opioid crisis” encourages me to personally invest more in our area.
Opioid related deaths, in Dayton, greatly decreased from 2017 to 2018
Dayton has often been portrayed as a city which has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic. Those who still make such claims, however, are not paying attention to current facts. In November of 2018, the New York Times reported that opioid related deaths in our city were down more than fifty percent from their 2017 levels. The Frontline piece, which I discussed in my last article, was published in September in 2018 but relied solely on 2017 statistics when claiming that the city was in the throes of a crisis. The fact of the matter is that the city was already making great progress in this area by the time the Frontline piece was published.
Our city’s reduction in heroin/opioid related deaths has been credited to several factors. Among these are the expansion of Medicaid, which provided healthcare and treatment options to more people. Also, Richard Biehl, our local police chief, deserves credit for requiring his officers to carry naloxone (commonly referred to as “Narcan”). This medication can reverse opioid overdoses if administered quickly enough. Chief Biehl went against the practices of other police chiefs in requiring the carrying of naloxone, and his policies have shown results. Our city has also done a great deal to provide support for people after they leave drug treatment. Finally, the New York Times has also recognized that our city’s police and public health workers do a better job of working collaboratively, to deal with these issues, than do those in some other places. In short, the reduction in opioid and heroin related deaths can be partially credited to specific acts being taken by the local community.
Dayton’s success against the opioid epidemic is good for real estate investment
Those considering investing in real estate will, and should, pay attention to the direction in which an area is going. An area presents increased opportunities for investors when it is on the “upswing.” This is due to the fact that improving areas can see improving property values, increasing rents, and an increase of the ease in which property may eventually be sold. A substantial reduction in a problem such as opioid overdoses shows, in my opinion, that a city like ours is on the upswing.
If you are considering investing in Dayton area real estate, then contact me today to speak with a realtor. As someone who is also an investor, I am familiar with the needs of those attempting to grow their portfolios. I work with a number of investors, both in state and out of state, and I look forward to speaking with you. I also service the areas of Beavercreek, Centerville, Cincinnati, Clayton, Englewood, Oakwood, Fairborn, Harrison Township, Huber Heights, Kettering, Miami Township, Miamisburg, Riverside, Springboro, Trotwood, Vandalia, Washington Township, West Carrollton, and Xenia.
Note & Disclaimer: Nothing in this article, or on this website should be construed as investment or financial advice. The opinions shared on this website are the personal, and not professional, opinion of the author and are not associated with Keller Williams Advisors. Any investment decisions should be made after consulting with a certified financial/investment professional.