Ohio newbie looking to buy and hold first property!

[Jeff Cashell]

Hello all! New to real estate investing in Columbus Ohio area and also new to BP. This site is great! Looking to make my first deal on a single family buy and hold. Having trouble pulling the trigger. What's a reasonable cash flow I should expect on first deal? Any advice?

[Brian Hayes]

@Jeff Cashell Welcomed to BP...Too bad you weren't at the BP meetup the past Friday, we will be back there this Friday 12-2 @ Dublin Yogis! You could've asked that question live and gotten some great perspective from a few good folks there!

I totally agree with @John Horner and @Richelle T. But I do think people calculate these things differently... that's why I thinks @Jeremy Tillotson hit it right on the head with the gross rents. If you are looking at your return from your gross rents you can determine which other factors to include/disclude from your calculation of roi. For example you could be happy with $0.00 to $100 per door in a neighborhood that boasts consistent appreciation but you would be quickly defeated with that same $100/door strategy in a neighborhood where your tenant is just one flat tire away from not paying rent. No one is a better judge than you of what your comfortability is when it come to specific neighborhood, you need to get out there and drive on the street that you will own a home. Drive around the neighborhood when school lets out, when its dark, when is nice, on a holiday... etc. Check facebook or the paper for community events or for church functions and civic associations. If you dont have time for that you will need someone who is really familiar with you and your risk tolerance and a good knowledge of the Columbus neighborhoods.

Hope to see you on one of these Fridays!