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.
Multi-Family and Apartment Investing
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 about 2 years ago, 09/14/2022

User Stats

261
Posts
166
Votes
Patrick Flanagan
  • Property Manager
  • Prineville, Or
166
Votes |
261
Posts

Top 5 best multi family markets

Patrick Flanagan
  • Property Manager
  • Prineville, Or
Posted

In your opinion what are your top 5 real estate markets to purchase multi family (2-4 unit) homes.

I really like

Knoxville

Minneapolis

Birmingham

Phoenix

Kansas City, Mo

St. Louis

San Antonio(don’t like the property taxes) 

(There’s 7 of mine)

Let me know what your top markets are and if you’re investing in those areas

User Stats

261
Posts
166
Votes
Patrick Flanagan
  • Property Manager
  • Prineville, Or
166
Votes |
261
Posts
Patrick Flanagan
  • Property Manager
  • Prineville, Or
Replied

@Ken Gee

Hey Ken,

I’m not a expert at all. But I’ve been told to stay away from Florida because it was one of the first markets to get hit hard during the recession.

I personally love houses out there.

Just curious what your thoughts were

Thanks!

User Stats

261
Posts
166
Votes
Patrick Flanagan
  • Property Manager
  • Prineville, Or
166
Votes |
261
Posts
Patrick Flanagan
  • Property Manager
  • Prineville, Or
Replied

@Peter Nikic

Hey Peter I don’t, this is just the I formation I’ve found.

It seems like these areas pop up a lot on podcasts and forums.

How long ago did you buy your TN properties?

CV3 Financial logo
CV3 Financial
|
Sponsored
Fix & Flip | DSCR | Construction Loans Up to 90% LTV - Up to 80% Cash Out - No Income Verification - No Seasoning Requirements

User Stats

325
Posts
219
Votes
Peter Nikic
  • Investor
  • New York & TN
219
Votes |
325
Posts
Peter Nikic
  • Investor
  • New York & TN
Replied
Originally posted by @Patrick Flanagan:

@Peter Nikic

Hey Peter I don’t, this is just the I formation I’ve found.

It seems like these areas pop up a lot on podcasts and forums.

How long ago did you buy your TN properties?

My properties are in NY, I'm just starting to look at TN. 

If you don't already own an investment property, be careful buying a smaller investment property that's too far from home. Better to learn locally before venturing to other markets. Good luck.

User Stats

261
Posts
166
Votes
Patrick Flanagan
  • Property Manager
  • Prineville, Or
166
Votes |
261
Posts
Patrick Flanagan
  • Property Manager
  • Prineville, Or
Replied

@Peter Nikic

Oh ok,

I own a 4 plex in Oregon. But you can’t buy in Oregon for under 750k

I’m looking out of state for cash flow, investing in Oregon is a appreciation move for me.

I’m looking for 80’s built 4 plexes and newer. I’m not even going to mess with old plumbing, electrical, and so on. I’m a electrician so there is no way I’ll be buying a house that has knob and tube. I’ve demoed those types of houses and they are extremely expensive to put new up to date wire in. Plus they burn peoples houses down.

User Stats

433
Posts
742
Votes
Tucker Cummings
  • Investor
  • Raleigh, NC
742
Votes |
433
Posts
Tucker Cummings
  • Investor
  • Raleigh, NC
Replied

Just playing devil's advocate.... by what criteria are you selecting these markets? Anybody can throw out a few cities and say they're good areas to invest. But what makes these markets a wise choice?

User Stats

75
Posts
27
Votes
Sarah Waterman
  • Specialist
  • Dallas, TX
27
Votes |
75
Posts
Sarah Waterman
  • Specialist
  • Dallas, TX
Replied

@Patrick Flanagan

ANY where the numbers work

and you have the financial means

and you get your cost seg study is the best market

User Stats

27
Posts
29
Votes
Ken Gee
  • Investor
  • Tampa, FL
29
Votes |
27
Posts
Ken Gee
  • Investor
  • Tampa, FL
Replied

@Patrick Flanagan

If we are talking about multifamily, here's what you need in order for a market to be attractive (to us).

Demand side of the equation:

1.  Population growth

2.  Diverse employment growth

3.  Median income that can support your projected rents (min. 3 times the projected rent)

Supply side - Assuming you are looking at B/C class assets, then:

1.  They aren't building any new assets in that class (only new properties which do not compete).

Result - Increasing demand.  Stable supply.  The laws of economics means that is a bull market.

This defines most markets in Florida.

Your comment about being hit during a recession is true, well, kind of.  The recent pandemic is a perfect example of what I am going to say.

Buy next to Disney or the beaches or there touristy areas - yep, you're going to get into trouble.  It's always about the sub-market.

That's not what we do.  Florida is growing very rapidly through healthy diverse employment growth.  Properties are performing extremely well because of that growth and I don't see any of the underlying fundamentals changing anytime soon.

I could go on and on, but I hope this helps a little.

Warm Regards,

Ken

User Stats

1
Posts
1
Votes
Replied

@Jeffrey Donis

What are your thoughts about the lag time of rental increases that has been apparent in the raleigh market for a long time? Potentially it will catch up all at once?

User Stats

138
Posts
126
Votes
Tommy Ray
Pro Member
  • Real Estate Consultant
  • San Antonio TX Canyon Lake TX Fort Walton Beach FL Cape Coral FL Clarksville TN Sumter SC and Lawton, OK
126
Votes |
138
Posts
Tommy Ray
Pro Member
  • Real Estate Consultant
  • San Antonio TX Canyon Lake TX Fort Walton Beach FL Cape Coral FL Clarksville TN Sumter SC and Lawton, OK
Replied

Yep--I am in San Antonio.  Been here for 15 years.  Explosive growth.  Values tripled in that timeframe.  Anyone need a local San Antonio type person to bounce ideas off or want to understand the local market I am your guy.  I also co-chair the local Professional Investors Guild Chapter (PIG).  Ex-Broker license # 562295.  Pure investor, trainer, mentor now...  Get'r done.  Oh yeah--21 years in military as well (Air Force--TACP / Space Officer /Politico-Military Affairs officer).  Love love love me some real estate -- 30 years in the game

  • Tommy Ray
  • User Stats

    94
    Posts
    96
    Votes
    Joe Edwards
    • Investor
    • Northern New Jersey
    96
    Votes |
    94
    Posts
    Joe Edwards
    • Investor
    • Northern New Jersey
    Replied

    @Patrick Flanagan

    Im going to shock most on BP and say New Jersey. Northern NJ to be exact. Bergen, Hudson and Essex Counties specifically.

    ▪︎ BRRRR is great if you know what your doing

    ▪︎ Very strong property appreciation

    ▪︎ Rents are extremely strong

    ▪︎ Demand is very high

    Most people avoid the state because of price and property taxes. Its all relative. A 400-500k purchase in 10-15 years will be worth 750-1mil

    User Stats

    10,045
    Posts
    4,845
    Votes
    Andrew Syrios
    Pro Member
    • Residential Real Estate Investor
    • Kansas City, MO
    4,845
    Votes |
    10,045
    Posts
    Andrew Syrios
    Pro Member
    • Residential Real Estate Investor
    • Kansas City, MO
    ModeratorReplied
    Originally posted by @Patrick Flanagan:

    @Andrew Syrios

    I’m looking for cash flow, do you invest in those areas. Midwest is no where near the prices in Oregon. I just got a deal on a 4 plex that was 750k, I’m cash flowing on it and it will appreciate pretty nicely

     I'm in Kansas City and it's a very good cash flow market, although not what it once was. Real estate prices here have skyrocketed as well.

    User Stats

    951
    Posts
    599
    Votes
    Kiera Underwood
    • Specialist
    • Oklahoma City, OK
    599
    Votes |
    951
    Posts
    Kiera Underwood
    • Specialist
    • Oklahoma City, OK
    Replied

    @Patrick Flanagan I'm OKC all the way! Like most markets inventory is tough and you've got to be aggressive to lock something down right now. I'm a big fan of all off-market stuff for that reason. For reference in this market I'm seeing A class duplexes for ~5% caps and I'm aware of a remodeled 12 plex property in a path of progress area for ~6% cap. So, the numbers aren't where they were pre-corona but they're not bad especially when you compare price point to other markets. 

    BiggerPockets logo
    BiggerPockets
    |
    Sponsored
    Find an investor-friendly agent in your market TODAY Get matched with our network of trusted, local, investor friendly agents in under 2 minutes

    User Stats

    11
    Posts
    6
    Votes
    Replied

    @Justin Tuggle amaazzzinngg! Lol thanks!

    User Stats

    10
    Posts
    9
    Votes
    Jamie Nason
    • New to Real Estate
    • Arundel, ME
    9
    Votes |
    10
    Posts
    Jamie Nason
    • New to Real Estate
    • Arundel, ME
    Replied

    @Peter Nikic why? If point of entry is $300k in your local area and you can find a solid realtor and PM for an OOS investor with a $50k entry... why should you “buy local” first. Many people have disproved that notion.

    User Stats

    2,259
    Posts
    879
    Votes
    Hai Loc
    • Specialist
    • Toronto, Ontario
    879
    Votes |
    2,259
    Posts
    Hai Loc
    • Specialist
    • Toronto, Ontario
    Replied

    @Stephen Schmitt

    Those properties for $100k and under. Those must be C- areas?

    User Stats

    325
    Posts
    219
    Votes
    Peter Nikic
    • Investor
    • New York & TN
    219
    Votes |
    325
    Posts
    Peter Nikic
    • Investor
    • New York & TN
    Replied
    Originally posted by @Jamie Nason:

    @Peter Nikic why? If point of entry is $300k in your local area and you can find a solid realtor and PM for an OOS investor with a $50k entry... why should you “buy local” first. Many people have disproved that notion.

    Buying local allows someone to more easily learn the process when buying their first property. 

    User Stats

    17
    Posts
    10
    Votes
    Replied

    @Jeffrey Donis

    I’ve been hearing about this too. Any additional information you can offer would be greatly appreciated

    User Stats

    17
    Posts
    10
    Votes
    Replied

    @Andrew Syrios

    Do you feel these markets are overpriced?

    User Stats

    17
    Posts
    10
    Votes
    Replied

    @Ken Gee

    Go on and on. Would love to hear more about Florida

    User Stats

    102
    Posts
    68
    Votes
    Tyler Williams
    • Dentist
    • Taylorsville, UT
    68
    Votes |
    102
    Posts
    Tyler Williams
    • Dentist
    • Taylorsville, UT
    Replied

    @Patrick Flanagan

    For me as long as the cash on cash ROI is 8-10% I'd look to markets that are less vulnerable and that guy can find good property managers and vendors in.

    Always be open to new ideas and new markets.

    User Stats

    17
    Posts
    11
    Votes
    Kyle C.
    • Specialist
    • California, CA
    11
    Votes |
    17
    Posts
    Kyle C.
    • Specialist
    • California, CA
    Replied

    @Stephen Schmitt

    Those are really good numbers, I’d like to hear more about this. Thank you.

    User Stats

    487
    Posts
    658
    Votes
    Joshua McMillion
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Madison, AL
    658
    Votes |
    487
    Posts
    Joshua McMillion
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Madison, AL
    Replied

    @Patrick Flanagan

    What are your thoughts on Chattanooga? 

    Sincerely,

    Josh 

    CLOSED Title logo
    CLOSED Title
    |
    Sponsored
    CLOSED Title is the Investor Friendly Title Company CLOSED Title, founded by real estate investors. Double closings, assignments, we do it all.

    User Stats

    261
    Posts
    166
    Votes
    Patrick Flanagan
    • Property Manager
    • Prineville, Or
    166
    Votes |
    261
    Posts
    Patrick Flanagan
    • Property Manager
    • Prineville, Or
    Replied

    @Joshua McMillion

    My boy invests there and loves it, it seems like it’s a little more expensive then Knoxville and Memphis. I can connect you with him if you want?

    He also bought when it was a little cheaper haha

    Shoot me a message if you have any questions. I have agent I work with out there too

    User Stats

    261
    Posts
    166
    Votes
    Patrick Flanagan
    • Property Manager
    • Prineville, Or
    166
    Votes |
    261
    Posts
    Patrick Flanagan
    • Property Manager
    • Prineville, Or
    Replied

    @Phil McAlister

    Great insight, do you look at smaller markets out side of big cities?

    I live in a small town 30 mins from Portland Oregon, but since it’s close a lot of investors started buying in the “path of progress” since Portland is the new San Fransisco. They are making a killing

    I really like looking for path of progress areas.

    User Stats

    261
    Posts
    166
    Votes
    Patrick Flanagan
    • Property Manager
    • Prineville, Or
    166
    Votes |
    261
    Posts
    Patrick Flanagan
    • Property Manager
    • Prineville, Or
    Replied

    @Tucker Cummings

    I’m not a expert on any of these markets, but these markets have came up over and over on podcasts, bp forums, blogs. Google right now, top out of state markets, these places will pop up.

    It was more of me saying I recognize that these markets keep popping up, and I want to get some experts opinions on why they invest there.

    There’s obviously tons of awesome markets, I just listed those as the top places I’ve found to start looking for cash flowing properties. Great job growth and rental demand.

    Do you have markets you like and prefer?