Advice on strong Detroit Metro areas for rental property investing

[Casey Wilson]

Hi there, 

I was wondering if any Detroit-metro experts from the PB community could offer advice on what areas in the Detroit-metro area might be worth exploring for rental properties (ranging from single family homes to 5+ unit apartment complexes). I'm California-based where there aren't any real deals in my area, so I'm exploring Detroit as an alternative real estate investment market - due to the combination of it being a strong market and my having connections in the area. 

Thank you SOO much for your advice!

Casey

[Travis Biziorek]

Hi Casey,

It’s great to hear that you’re considering Detroit! One thing I’d stress is the significant difference between Detroit proper and the surrounding metro areas. The two are almost entirely different markets in terms of price points, returns, tenant quality, and overall investing strategy. I focus solely on Detroit proper because, in my experience, the rent-to-price ratios, opportunities for value-add projects, and overall market potential are much stronger there.

That said, Detroit is a nuanced market. It’s not a place where you can just buy anywhere and expect success. The city operates on a block-by-block basis, and understanding those nuances takes legwork—or working with someone who truly knows the area. But if you put in the effort, Detroit can be incredibly rewarding.

Over the last several years, the city has been on a steady upswing: population growth, major corporate investments, and increasing demand for housing are all positive indicators. I’ve built a 12-door portfolio here since 2019, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made in real estate.

If you’d like to dive deeper into Detroit-specific strategies or need some pointers on how to get started, feel free to reach out!

Best of luck on your investing journey,

Travis