Out of state investing

[Philip Chung]

Hello everyone from the BiggerPockets community! 

This is my first post, and I wanted to say I am glad that this forum exists!  

I am currently looking to invest out of state as I live in Chicago, IL, where it is really hard for the numbers to work.  I've already read quite a few books on real estate investing including "long-distance real estate investing" by David Greene (great book by the way), and I learned that investing locally and out of state essentially has the same process thanks to technology.  So, I've decided that Indianapolis, IN was the place I wanted to invest in.  My goal is to find a distressed property around $100k, fix it up, and rent it out.  I would be happy with $300 cash flow per month after all expenses.  I found a pm company I am interested in, and I am still looking for a real estate agent and a lender.  

I am also moving out of my parents house soon, and I am deciding on whether to rent or purchase a duplex/triplex with a 5% conventional loan here in Chicago.  I would probably be cash flowing negative if I were to buy a duplex with a 5% conventional, so I am leaning towards renting somewhere cheaper until I see how the investment property in Indiana pans out.  If all things seem to be good, I can purchase a couple more in IN, and hopefully the CF from the out of state investment properties eventually cover my rent.  Is this an ok plan?

[Ibn Abney]

Philip Chung congrats on getting started!!

I am a local long term Buy and Hold Guy. I honestly feel you may be cutting yourself short on the city. There are a lot of great neighborhoods which are safe and in your price range, especially if you are willing to go more south or west of the loop.

$300 a month is doable on the north side of the city and I would aim higher when going south or west of the loop or outside of Chicago. Min. ($450-$600)/month ( don’t just look on Zillow/Redfin for deals).

Lastly, everyone is different and if you were in Cali investing in the Midwest it would be different, but I think there is a lot of value when self managing your first few doors to gain experience. Handling people/your tenant is a large part of owning real estate!

Good Luck!