Milwaukee: Good & Bad?

[Jason Macht]

I've been actively looking for a multi-family investment property in Grand Rapids, Mi (GR) for the past 2-3 months and have continually run into either bidding wars, deals that get snapped up the very next day, or places that need far too much work than they're worth. So I'm contemplating shifting focus to another market that might be more accessible. I've heard from several people on Bigger Pockets that have had success in Milwaukee, including @Brie Schmidt, and I was hoping that I might be able to get some input from the community. I recently drove up to Milwaukee from Chicago to check it out myself and find myself asking a few questions...

• Should I change my approach in GR or change markets?
• What tactics should I consider adopting in a highly competitive market such as GR?
• Is Milwaukee the best alternative market to enter?
• If I enter Milwaukee, what are the zip codes to target and what are the zip codes to avoid?
• What do I need to know about Milwaukee as a new entrant?
• What other markets should I consider if not Milwaukee or Grand Rapids?

Any input is much appreciated!