Investing in Cleveland , OH

[Yazan Alhalalmeh]

Hello everyone

I am a new investor and would like to start investing in SFH or Duplexes in Cleveland area. I have done lots of reading and I would say I have a general idea about the areas I am looking at and the purchase price. At this point, I feel like I need some guidance by somebody who has the experience in the field and might guide me to at least where to start. I would love to meet and connect with you if you're living in the area. I live near Cleveland too.

Appreciate all your help

[Billy Daniel]

I'm no where near Cleveland, but looking up a local realtor is the best place to start.  They can point you in the direction of the properties that fit your criteria (or tell you those properties don't exist).  They can also help you find other local talent like contractors and lenders.

However, I'm certain you will get some Ohio investors to respond as well!

[Nick Shri]

Quote from @Yazan Alhalalmeh:

Hello everyone

I am a new investor and would like to start investing in SFH or Duplexes in Cleveland area. I have done lots of reading and I would say I have a general idea about the areas I am looking at and the purchase price. At this point, I feel like I need some guidance by somebody who has the experience in the field and might guide me to at least where to start. I would love to meet and connect with you if you're living in the area. I live near Cleveland too.

Appreciate all your help

Definitely look up CLE reia and attend their meetings. Network, talk to PMs, REAs.

I am not in CLE but have a duplex rental. I bought through a TK provider, hit me up if you want to learn / talk about it. 

Good luck to you! 

[Shane Kelly]

Hey Yazan! I have lived here in Cleveland all my life and would be happy to talk with you sometime about your next step in your journey. Let's connect and we can chat some more!

[Andrew Weiner]

Hi Yazan,

Since you are local I would recommend driving through some of the neighborhoods that you are interested in. What you see on the MLS, or online is great to learn from but nothing beats walking the streets and getting a feel for the neighborhood. You can even schedule some tours of rentals that are available and see what the current inventory looks like and what it is priced at. This should help you in evaluating properties. For someone just starting I recommend buying something relatively turn key, sometimes start up costs on a vacant can be higher than expected. Also if you are looking in Cleveland proper watch make sure you can pass the Cleveland lead inspections, if the windows, doors, or siding are in bad shape it can be expensive.

Good Luck,

Andrew

[Steven Foster Wilson]

Quote from @Yazan Alhalalmeh:

Hello everyone

I am a new investor and would like to start investing in SFH or Duplexes in Cleveland area. I have done lots of reading and I would say I have a general idea about the areas I am looking at and the purchase price. At this point, I feel like I need some guidance by somebody who has the experience in the field and might guide me to at least where to start. I would love to meet and connect with you if you're living in the area. I live near Cleveland too.

Appreciate all your help

 Hey Yazan,

I live in Columbus although I help clients all the time find properties in Cleveland. I am always happy to connect. 

[Andy Grizzell]

Quote from @Yazan Alhalalmeh:

Hello everyone

I am a new investor and would like to start investing in SFH or Duplexes in Cleveland area. I have done lots of reading and I would say I have a general idea about the areas I am looking at and the purchase price. At this point, I feel like I need some guidance by somebody who has the experience in the field and might guide me to at least where to start. I would love to meet and connect with you if you're living in the area. I live near Cleveland too.

Appreciate all your help

 Hey Yazan - I also live in Columbus, but have helped a number of clients start to build their Cleveland portfolio - some brand new, some just adding new cities to expand their large portfolio. Would be happy to help answer any questions you have. 

[Muhammad Amawi]

Hey Yazan, 

Congrats on getting started with your investor journey. I grew up here in the Cleveland area and still live in the Lakewood/Cleveland area. I have a great support team to help someone in your exact situation. I look forward to us connecting.

[Aj Parikh]

Hi @Yazan Alhalalmeh : Welcome to Bigger Pockets! I am an out of state investor from Northern Virginia and invest in Cleveland SFH and multifamilies. Let me know if you want to connect and talk about turnkeys or investing in general. Definitely would love to chat!

[Yazan Alhalalmeh]

Quote from @Andrew Weiner:

Hi Yazan,

Since you are local I would recommend driving through some of the neighborhoods that you are interested in. What you see on the MLS, or online is great to learn from but nothing beats walking the streets and getting a feel for the neighborhood. You can even schedule some tours of rentals that are available and see what the current inventory looks like and what it is priced at. This should help you in evaluating properties. For someone just starting I recommend buying something relatively turn key, sometimes start up costs on a vacant can be higher than expected. Also if you are looking in Cleveland proper watch make sure you can pass the Cleveland lead inspections, if the windows, doors, or siding are in bad shape it can be expensive.

Good Luck,

Andrew

 Thank you for the advice. It's a great idea. I will definitely start doing that. 

Since you mentioned Turnkey, Reading about it made me more interested in the concept especially for someone like me just getting started. Do you recommend and TK providers? Thank you again

[Yazan Alhalalmeh]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I appreciate all your help. 

I will definitely reach out to you and hopefully we'll get the chance to connect more. 

Thank you!!

[Nicholas Salman]

Yazan congrats on your first steps to becoming an investor!   That is very exciting and the first step of financial freedom for you and your family.  Would love to connect and learn more about what you have going on and how I can help!  Talk soon

[Andrew Weiner]

Quote from @Yazan Alhalalmeh:

Quote from @Andrew Weiner:

Hi Yazan,

Since you are local I would recommend driving through some of the neighborhoods that you are interested in. What you see on the MLS, or online is great to learn from but nothing beats walking the streets and getting a feel for the neighborhood. You can even schedule some tours of rentals that are available and see what the current inventory looks like and what it is priced at. This should help you in evaluating properties. For someone just starting I recommend buying something relatively turn key, sometimes start up costs on a vacant can be higher than expected. Also if you are looking in Cleveland proper watch make sure you can pass the Cleveland lead inspections, if the windows, doors, or siding are in bad shape it can be expensive.

Good Luck,

Andrew

 Thank you for the advice. It's a great idea. I will definitely start doing that. 

Since you mentioned Turnkey, Reading about it made me more interested in the concept especially for someone like me just getting started. Do you recommend and TK providers? Thank you again

I don’t think you need to use a turnkey provider specifically.  When I use the term turnkey I just mean something that has been updated and is clearly well maintained, rented out already, and comes with management.  The goal being to get some cash flow from day one and avoid any early larger expenses.  

[Michael Azzam]

Hello Yazan! My team at the Azzam Group would absolutely love to connect and talk some more and help guide you through the process, welcome to REI!

[Dessiree Jimenez]

Hello, I'd like to join this forum and express my interest in the Cleveland market as well MF and SF. I am looking to start my REI journey and this market is exactly what i am looking for. I'll PM some of you who have introduced yourselves privately to discuss some possible options. Has anyone worked with Holton-Wise? Let me know if you have and what kind of experience you had. thank you

[Dessiree Jimenez]

Quote from @Aj Parikh:

Hi @Yazan Alhalalmeh : Welcome to Bigger Pockets! I am an out of state investor from Northern Virginia and invest in Cleveland SFH and multifamilies. Let me know if you want to connect and talk about turnkeys or investing in general. Definitely would love to chat!

Hello, I am quite interested in the Cleveland market. I am brand new to REI and i strongly believe this is a good market to start. Im located in South Florida. Id like to chat about your experience investing from out of state in Cleveland. Thank you

[Chase Lowry]

Quote from @Shane Kelly:

Hey Yazan! I have lived here in Cleveland all my life and would be happy to talk with you sometime about your next step in your journey. Let's connect and we can chat some more!

[Aj Parikh]

Quote from @Michael Azzam:

Hello Yazan! My team at the Azzam Group would absolutely love to connect and talk some more and help guide you through the process, welcome to REI!

 @Yazan Alhalalmeh I have worked with Mike Azzam's company and they have been great at finding deals, managing the rehab and managing the property as well. We recently closed on a 6 unit apartment complex and they were exceptional with guiding us throughout the deal. I definitely recommend working with them. Let me know if you want to connect and we can chat about it. 

[JD Martin]

You fellows all want to talk to @James Wise, aka "the Blue Man". He'll sail you straight on Cleveland if you really want to be in that market. 

[R. Elle Berry]

@Yazan Alhalalmeh Hi, I’m familiar with the Cleveland market. I’ve been in RE over 15yrs. I would love to connect with you and discuss your goals for your Cleveland portfolio.

[Nicholas Misch]

Investing in Cleveland and the surrounding areas are boss moves!

[James Wise]

Quote from @Yazan Alhalalmeh:

Hello everyone

I am a new investor and would like to start investing in SFH or Duplexes in Cleveland area. I have done lots of reading and I would say I have a general idea about the areas I am looking at and the purchase price. At this point, I feel like I need some guidance by somebody who has the experience in the field and might guide me to at least where to start. I would love to meet and connect with you if you're living in the area. I live near Cleveland too.

Appreciate all your help

 You may have already seen this, as you said you've been doing a lot of research, but in case you have not I think you'll get a lot of free help from reading The Ultimate Guide to Grading Cleveland Neighborhoods. I see a ton of out of state investors out there just running to the cheapest Cleveland deals and not realizing what it is that they actually bought. This guide points out what is what.

[Jesse Levitan]

@Yazan Alhalalmeh

Tim Bratz is a Cleveland native and is a big player in the multifamily space.

Definitely check out his content and see if you can connect with him. 

I would even cold email him.

You have nothing to lose!

[Preston Donahue]

You're in a great area to start that's for sure. With Akron and Canton just south of you, you have great secondary markets to work in. I currently invest in Canton.

[Erin Dorsey Robinson]

Hi Yazan,

I would be happy to connect with you to discuss your strategy and offer you some pointers. We live and invest in the Cleveland area so we can share some things from that perspective. Feel free to message me and we can find a convenient time to chat.

Best of luck to you!