First Rental Opportunity - Akron or Another Area

[Eric Vlahos]

Good morning BP team, 

Long time listener - first time post-er! Me and my wife got married in November, and are looking to start our real estate investing journey in the Akron area. We've been speaking with as many investors we know about their decision making criteria, and we're torn. 

On one hand, our hometown of Cuyahoga Falls has seen an increase in property value where rents for SFR are now below the 1% rule, so it would be tough to make a rental work, but the renter demographics would *I think* be easier to self manage.

Or, we have the benefit of being right down the road from Akron, where the 1% rule is alive and strong, but there is a potential that the renters would be a bit more tough to self-manage *maybe*, and the area's aren't as *nice* as the Cuyahoga Falls area. Some places are sketchy, some places are OK.

Anyways, what is everyone's thoughts on our first rental? Ideally, I'd like it to be duplex (upper and lower style)

[Brendan Taylor]

As someone who is local to the area I would pick Akron. The appreciation topic the last guy mentioned is something to consider but I would not invest in Cuyahoga Falls for appreciation anyway so go where cash flow is stronger. You’ll probably get similar if not better appreciation numbers in parts of Akron anyway. Not that either place will be great for appreciation. Take the cash flow in Akron. If your concern is self managing, a tenant can take advantage of you anywhere at any rent amount.