...So this is where I need your wisdom

[Jake Vayda]

1. Some background: This is my first ever post! My wife and I are Pastors from San Diego. We have paid off ALL of our college loans (Over $40,000) in the past three years so that we can begin our real estate investing journey! ...Well, to be honest, more-so because I wanted to prove to my wife that I am committed to investing. Guess what, it worked!
2. My Plan: I am planning on becoming a long distance, buy and hold, BRRRR Investor in CLEVELAND. We plan for these properties to be short term vacation rentals. I have family who live in Cleveland and Airbnb.
3. This is where I need you: Any advice for us as we potentially buy our first property in the next several months from those of you who have done something similar?

[James Wise]

Originally posted by @Jake Vayda:

1. Some background: This is my first ever post! My wife and I are Pastors from San Diego. We have paid off ALL of our college loans (Over $40,000) in the past three years so that we can begin our real estate investing journey! ...Well, to be honest, more-so because I wanted to prove to my wife that I am committed to investing. Guess what, it worked!
2. My Plan: I am planning on becoming a long distance, buy and hold, BRRRR Investor in CLEVELAND. We plan for these properties to be short term vacation rentals. I have family who live in Cleveland and Airbnb.
3. This is where I need you: Any advice for us as we potentially buy our first property in the next several months from those of you who have done something similar?

 In all honestly...I hate the plan. You live in sunny California. Where do people vacation more, Cleveland or California lol? I run a $50 million portfolio here in Cleveland with exactly zero vacation rentals. Hell, I bought a 38,000 sq ft motel in Cleveland to shut it down and redevelop it to something that makes sense in this market. Look to Cleveland if you want cash flow rentals, but not vacation rentals. I'd say 99% of country would offer a more desirable vacation rental market then anywhere in the Midwest.

P.S. For more info on the Cleveland market itself check out The Ultimate Guide to Grading Cleveland Neighborhoods.