Skip to content
×
PRO
Pro Members Get Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
$0
TODAY
$69.00/month when billed monthly.
$32.50/month when billed annually.
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
Buying & Selling Real Estate
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated 4 months ago, 08/14/2024

User Stats

3
Posts
10
Votes
MARK S KING
Pro Member
  • Investor
  • NC
10
Votes |
3
Posts

Best State/City for Section 8

MARK S KING
Pro Member
  • Investor
  • NC
Posted

Hello, any input on the best market for section 8? Looking for a way to analyze the highest allowance from Sec8 vs the lowest priced homes, wondering where you can get the most bang for your buck. I have heard the target is at least 400-500 per month net positive cash flow based on 20% down. Where are you seeing opportunities? Thank you!

User Stats

1,024
Posts
578
Votes
Arsen Atanasovski
  • Investor
  • Rochester, MI
578
Votes |
1,024
Posts
Arsen Atanasovski
  • Investor
  • Rochester, MI
Replied

Detroit hands down!

User Stats

27
Posts
19
Votes
Nick Benjamin
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Kansas City, MO
19
Votes |
27
Posts
Nick Benjamin
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Kansas City, MO
Replied

KC is up there!

NREIG  logo
NREIG
|
Sponsored
Customizable insurance coverage with a program that’s easy to use Add, edit, and remove properties from your account any time with no minimum-earned premiums.

User Stats

252
Posts
181
Votes
Sara Frank
  • Realtor
  • Baltimore, MD
181
Votes |
252
Posts
Sara Frank
  • Realtor
  • Baltimore, MD
Replied

Surprisingly, there are pockets of Washington DC that can net you significant cash flow using Section-8. I recommend looking into Dr. Joe Asamoah -- he is a prominent section 8 investor in DC. We had him as a guest on our podcast - the DC Real Estate Podcast, he was episode #10 

User Stats

30
Posts
25
Votes
David Greathouse
  • Real Estate Agent
25
Votes |
30
Posts
David Greathouse
  • Real Estate Agent
Replied

I've had some success with clients here in Cleveland

User Stats

6,413
Posts
3,666
Votes
Bob Stevens
  • Real Estate Consultant
  • Cleveland
3,666
Votes |
6,413
Posts
Bob Stevens
  • Real Estate Consultant
  • Cleveland
Replied
Quote from @MARK S KING:

Hello, any input on the best market for section 8? Looking for a way to analyze the highest allowance from Sec8 vs the lowest priced homes, wondering where you can get the most bang for your buck. I have heard the target is at least 400-500 per month net positive cash flow based on 20% down. Where are you seeing opportunities? Thank you!

WE GET 1200- 1400 A month on 3/4 br  props with all in pricing under 100k in the Cleveland markets. Heck I just got 825 for a 1 BR in East Cleveland, 

User Stats

1,635
Posts
1,785
Votes
Travis Biziorek
  • Investor
  • Arroyo Grande, CA
1,785
Votes |
1,635
Posts
Travis Biziorek
  • Investor
  • Arroyo Grande, CA
Replied

I have three tenants on Section 8. For a 3 bed/1bath home you can easily get $1,300/mo here in Detroit. And numbers I believe are up to $1,650/mo (or something like that) if you include utilities. I know they adjusted voucher limits higher again this year and we'll be pushing for increases on ours when they come up for renewal.

User Stats

1,024
Posts
578
Votes
Arsen Atanasovski
  • Investor
  • Rochester, MI
578
Votes |
1,024
Posts
Arsen Atanasovski
  • Investor
  • Rochester, MI
Replied
Quote from @Sara Frank:

Surprisingly, there are pockets of Washington DC that can net you significant cash flow using Section-8. I recommend looking into Dr. Joe Asamoah -- he is a prominent section 8 investor in DC. We had him as a guest on our podcast - the DC Real Estate Podcast, he was episode #10 


yea with half million dollar homes you can buy 10/15 properties in the D that will net double then DC


User Stats

583
Posts
735
Votes
Sam Yin
Pro Member
  • Los Angeles, CA
735
Votes |
583
Posts
Sam Yin
Pro Member
  • Los Angeles, CA
Replied

@MARK S KING

You just need to get the section 8 payment schedule. Pretty much everywhere it good. Every area has set prices section 8 will pay for certain properties.

A 2 bedroom in one area can command $800/month from section 8 and that same property will also command $2800/month down the road in a higher end area. It different within the county. They divide them by submarkets. It's all relative.

For example, in just one single county of SoCal, where I primarily invest, the desert section 8 pays $827 for a studio and $1733 for a two bedroom. At the other end of the same county, section 8 pays $1925 for a studio and $3028 for a 2 bedroom. The average cost per door is $100K versus $175K. So it all relative. I'm using 2022 pricing schedule, bit I'm sure its higher now since it generally increases every year. Just get it for the area you are interested in.

If section 8 is your play, you should take advantage and look for higher end areas so you can get the most out of more expensive properties that have more to appreciate. That's as long as you can afford to acquire it in the first place.

The question you should ask yourself is if you want section 8 in the first place. It not for everyone. It comes with it's own challenges. Deal with enough section 8 tenants and you will find out it not as rosy as some podcasts or books claim them to be. But you do get that guaranteed rent as a trade off for your work.

I have some section 8 tenants and other programs that are 10X tougher. I would NOT mix them with regular families as it often can create management challenges. But that is just a personal opinion based on personal experience with government tenants in California.

Good luck.

  • Sam Yin
  • User Stats

    27,672
    Posts
    18,793
    Votes
    James Wise#1 Ask About A Real Estate Company Contributor
    • Real Estate Broker
    • Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH
    18,793
    Votes |
    27,672
    Posts
    James Wise#1 Ask About A Real Estate Company Contributor
    • Real Estate Broker
    • Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH
    Replied
    Quote from @MARK S KING:

    Hello, any input on the best market for section 8? Looking for a way to analyze the highest allowance from Sec8 vs the lowest priced homes, wondering where you can get the most bang for your buck. I have heard the target is at least 400-500 per month net positive cash flow based on 20% down. Where are you seeing opportunities? Thank you!


     Cleveland is pretty dope for Section 8 deals.

    User Stats

    377
    Posts
    417
    Votes
    Scott Allen
    Agent
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Columbus, OH
    417
    Votes |
    377
    Posts
    Scott Allen
    Agent
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Columbus, OH
    Replied

    @MARK S KING

    Columbus,OH is pretty dope for Section 8 deals. Cleveland is alright too

    • Scott Allen
    • 614-698-1227

    User Stats

    244
    Posts
    161
    Votes
    Sanat Bhandari
    • Investor
    • Omaha, NE
    161
    Votes |
    244
    Posts
    Sanat Bhandari
    • Investor
    • Omaha, NE
    Replied

    @MARK S KING Check out Council Bluffs, IA. It's right across the river from Omaha, has the same HUD FMRs as Omaha but properties there are at least 20% cheaper

    Cash-flowing rentals is the name of the game out there so pretty sure you could do great with section 8

    User Stats

    8,228
    Posts
    4,825
    Votes
    Drew Sygit
    Property Manager
    Agent
    #2 Managing Your Property Contributor
    • Property Manager
    • Royal Oak, MI
    4,825
    Votes |
    8,228
    Posts
    Drew Sygit
    Property Manager
    Agent
    #2 Managing Your Property Contributor
    • Property Manager
    • Royal Oak, MI
    Replied

    @MARK S KING

    You might want to follow the "Deep Dive" series we're doing on our BiggerPockets blog about Metro Detroit cities, City of Detroit Neighborhoods and comparing Metro Detroit to other hotspots investors usually consider:

    https://www.biggerpockets.com/...
    (BP search feature can be problematic, so we’ve also added links @ our website under View Cities & Neighborhoods We Service)

    Please send us any feedback via email, as we do not use the DM feature here.

    business profile image
    Logical Property Management.
    5.0 stars
    1 Review
    Rent To Retirement logo
    Rent To Retirement
    |
    Sponsored
    Turnkey Rentals 12+ States. SFR, MF & New Builds, High ROI! 3.99% rates, 5% down loans, below market prices across the US! Txt REI to 33777

    User Stats

    27,672
    Posts
    18,793
    Votes
    James Wise#1 Ask About A Real Estate Company Contributor
    • Real Estate Broker
    • Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH
    18,793
    Votes |
    27,672
    Posts
    James Wise#1 Ask About A Real Estate Company Contributor
    • Real Estate Broker
    • Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH
    Replied
    Quote from @Scott Allen:

    @MARK S KING

    Columbus,OH is pretty dope for Section 8 deals. Cleveland is alright too


     Bruh.....My dad can beat up your dad.

    User Stats

    1,024
    Posts
    578
    Votes
    Arsen Atanasovski
    • Investor
    • Rochester, MI
    578
    Votes |
    1,024
    Posts
    Arsen Atanasovski
    • Investor
    • Rochester, MI
    Replied

    Who’s your daddy??????

    Detroit!!!

    User Stats

    1,024
    Posts
    578
    Votes
    Arsen Atanasovski
    • Investor
    • Rochester, MI
    578
    Votes |
    1,024
    Posts
    Arsen Atanasovski
    • Investor
    • Rochester, MI
    Replied

    Sorry I was just thinking about the Michigan and OSU game a few months back oops! Sorry again :)

    User Stats

    8,228
    Posts
    4,825
    Votes
    Drew Sygit
    Property Manager
    Agent
    #2 Managing Your Property Contributor
    • Property Manager
    • Royal Oak, MI
    4,825
    Votes |
    8,228
    Posts
    Drew Sygit
    Property Manager
    Agent
    #2 Managing Your Property Contributor
    • Property Manager
    • Royal Oak, MI
    Replied

    @MARK S KING you will find nice numbers with any Class C properties

    business profile image
    Logical Property Management.
    5.0 stars
    1 Review

    User Stats

    41
    Posts
    12
    Votes
    Replied
    Quote from @Travis Biziorek:

    I have three tenants on Section 8. For a 3 bed/1bath home you can easily get $1,300/mo here in Detroit. And numbers I believe are up to $1,650/mo (or something like that) if you include utilities. I know they adjusted voucher limits higher again this year and we'll be pushing for increases on ours when they come up for renewal.


     Would you mind sharing what parts of Detroit you invest in? Or what parts to stay away from. 

    User Stats

    41
    Posts
    12
    Votes
    Replied
    Quote from @Scott Allen:

    @MARK S KING

    Columbus,OH is pretty dope for Section 8 deals. Cleveland is alright too


     I would love to have a quick conversation if your ever free. I would like to learn more about Columbus OH. 

    User Stats

    1,635
    Posts
    1,785
    Votes
    Travis Biziorek
    • Investor
    • Arroyo Grande, CA
    1,785
    Votes |
    1,635
    Posts
    Travis Biziorek
    • Investor
    • Arroyo Grande, CA
    Replied
    Quote from @Michael Bishay:
    Quote from @Travis Biziorek:

    I have three tenants on Section 8. For a 3 bed/1bath home you can easily get $1,300/mo here in Detroit. And numbers I believe are up to $1,650/mo (or something like that) if you include utilities. I know they adjusted voucher limits higher again this year and we'll be pushing for increases on ours when they come up for renewal.


     Would you mind sharing what parts of Detroit you invest in? Or what parts to stay away from. 

    That's a pretty big conversation. Detroit itself is 150 sq miles. People have no concept how much ground that actually is. 

    User Stats

    1,518
    Posts
    1,302
    Votes
    Jimmy Lieu
    Agent
    #4 Out of State Investing Contributor
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Columbus, OH
    1,302
    Votes |
    1,518
    Posts
    Jimmy Lieu
    Agent
    #4 Out of State Investing Contributor
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Columbus, OH
    Replied
    Quote from @MARK S KING:

    Hello, any input on the best market for section 8? Looking for a way to analyze the highest allowance from Sec8 vs the lowest priced homes, wondering where you can get the most bang for your buck. I have heard the target is at least 400-500 per month net positive cash flow based on 20% down. Where are you seeing opportunities? Thank you!

    Hi Mark, Columbus Ohio is a great market for section 8 rentals. I really see Columbus Ohio as an extremely safe bet for the next 10-20 years. Plus, there's still so many positive cash flowing and 1% deals here in Columbus Ohio. Just this month, I’ve gotten under contract for my clients for multiple 20%+ cash on cash rental properties so there’s definitely tons of opportunity here. As a local investor and agent here in Columbus, let me know if you have any questions or want to connect!

    business profile image
    Swiss Realty Group
    5.0 stars
    51 Reviews

    User Stats

    208
    Posts
    128
    Votes
    David Leggett
    Agent
    Pro Member
    • Real Estate Broker
    • Cleveland, OH
    128
    Votes |
    208
    Posts
    David Leggett
    Agent
    Pro Member
    • Real Estate Broker
    • Cleveland, OH
    Replied
    Oh Man!  Michigan wins two years out of 20 and I can't stop hearing about it!  But I love Detroit and Michigan and want to see Detroit rebuild itself stronger than ever.  Industrial midwest cities help built this country and this economy and many got left behind after the manufacturing left and I've seen it first hand how it destroyed communities but they're resilient cities with very strong and resilient people and are excellent for Section 8 rentals.
    business profile image
    New Forest Realty
    0.0 star
    0 Reviews

    User Stats

    208
    Posts
    128
    Votes
    David Leggett
    Agent
    Pro Member
    • Real Estate Broker
    • Cleveland, OH
    128
    Votes |
    208
    Posts
    David Leggett
    Agent
    Pro Member
    • Real Estate Broker
    • Cleveland, OH
    Replied
    My dad looked just like Chuck Norris but never learned Karate!  Can you believe that!  Man my life could have been totally different growing up in a Chuck Norris Karate household!!
    business profile image
    New Forest Realty
    0.0 star
    0 Reviews
    Vacasa logo
    Vacasa
    |
    Sponsored
    We do the work. You get the ROI. We do it all for your vacation rental. All—marketing, pricing, guest requests, housekeeping & more.

    User Stats

    1,024
    Posts
    578
    Votes
    Arsen Atanasovski
    • Investor
    • Rochester, MI
    578
    Votes |
    1,024
    Posts
    Arsen Atanasovski
    • Investor
    • Rochester, MI
    Replied

    Let me just say there is 30,000 section 8 open contracts in the city of Detroit maybe that might turn some lightbulbs on lol

    User Stats

    6
    Posts
    12
    Votes
    Aaron K.
    • New to Real Estate
    • SoCal
    12
    Votes |
    6
    Posts
    Aaron K.
    • New to Real Estate
    • SoCal
    Replied
    Quote from @Arsen Atanasovski:

    Let me just say there is 30,000 section 8 open contracts in the city of Detroit maybe that might turn some lightbulbs on lol


     Hey Arsen can you elaborate more on what this means? Do you mean there are currently 30,000 Section 8 voucher holders with no where to go due to a lack of section 8 housing or something else?

    User Stats

    1,024
    Posts
    578
    Votes
    Arsen Atanasovski
    • Investor
    • Rochester, MI
    578
    Votes |
    1,024
    Posts
    Arsen Atanasovski
    • Investor
    • Rochester, MI
    Replied

    Absolutely