Louisville, Ky Investors - Thoughts on Investing in Portland?

[Zachary Peacock]

There is a group called the PII (Portland Investment Initiative) that are heavily invested in the area. What are your thoughts on the potential for appreciation here? 

[Kevin Nalley]

I have 23 units in Portland, the people there can be challenging to deal with, and that alone is reason to buy in another area.  I bought in this area because in 2009 they were all ON SALE, no banks were loaning money, and I had enough cash to purchase properties without a bank loan.  I've learned several hard lessons since then and if I had to do it all over again, I would definitely buy in a better area of town.  Buy properties in areas where people WANT to live, not where they HAVE to live because they can't afford better.   I'm doing well because I've learned how to screen tenants well.   I don't count on appreciation, I'm strictly running my numbers based on cash flow.