All Forum Posts by: Anthony L Amos Jr

Anthony L Amos Jr has started 6 posts and replied 522 times.

I have just recently discovered the possibility of real estate investing and I'm concerned whether I should invest out of state or not. I currently live in San Diego but seem to find the area too expensive for my liking. I am active duty military so I move around every few years for work, so I'm trying to decide if buying a property here and house hacking for the next couple of years until I move or making my first investment in a cheaper area is the better option.

Since you move every few years, house hacking at each new location is a smart play. Buy a place, live in part of it, rent out the rest. Your housing allowance can help cover the mortgage, and you build equity while keeping costs low. As you relocate, build a network of local property managers and contractors, or use tools like RentRedi or TenantCloud to manage remotely. If San Diego feels too expensive, consider buying at your next duty station in a more affordable market. You’re in a great spot to build wealth with each move.

1 Vote

Quote from @Craig Cann:

Hello All,

We just put in our first offer today on a off market SF in Columbus OH.

What are the top things you try and tackle once your offer is accepted?

I'm setting up an appointment with inspector, contractor, PM, and insurance company.

As far as the inspection goes, do I need a different inspector to scope the sewer line, checking for radon, or maybe there's something else I missed?

How many contractors do you get estimates from 3? Do you use the PM contractor? Do you call their references? if they give you the reference isn't usually gonna be from someone they think would talk highly of them..?

How many PM do you interview 3? I'v talked to a couple and the rates seem to be about the same it seems its all about the service?

How many insurance companies are you getting quotes from 3?

My agent sent me a "Rolodex" of lots of contacts but I'm open to see if any actually investors could share who they use. If anyone is open to sharing who they use I'd appreciate it.

Thanks in advance, Craig

Nice job taking action and getting your first offer in—huge step forward. That said, it’s best to have your team lined up before submitting. Speed is everything once you're under contract, and scrambling to find people can slow you down or cost you the deal.

Referrals are helpful, but don’t rely on them blindly. Just because someone works well for me doesn’t mean they’ll be a fit for you. Everyone operates differently, so talk to a lot of contractors, PMs, inspectors, etc. until you find people who match your style and expectations.

Keep pushing forward—you're on the right track. Just tighten the prep and you'll move even faster next time.

2 Votes

Columbus, Ohio

Quote from @Chris Luckscheiter:

I am 1 year into this real estate journey and am looking to connect with like minded investors, wholesalers, and lenders who can assist me in growing my portfolio of rentals and flipping houses. Since I am a small fish in this big pond of investing, it is a challenge to get access to deals. By joining this community, my hope is that I will be able to gain access to some deals that will allow me to achieve my real estate goals.

You're on the right track just by putting yourself out there. One of the best ways to level up fast is by showing up—go to local REI meetups, join FB groups, attend networking events, and actually talk to people. Deals flow through relationships, and people work with people they like. Once you build trust, you'll start seeing the same opportunities the bigger players are getting.

I’d also recommend building a simple system for quickly analyzing deals and raising capital at the same time. That way, when something pops up, you’re not scrambling—you already know your numbers and who you can call (family, friends, other investors) to fund it.

If you're in Columbus, definitely check out the Columbus REIA group. It's been a great resource for connecting with active investors and getting plugged into the local scene. Keep showing up and adding value—your deal flow will follow.

1 Vote

Columbus, Ohio

Quote from @William Breymann:

Hey all, looking for thoughts as I hone in on a market. I had basically settled on Ohio and was between Columbus and Cleveland, but also looking at Dayton. I had connected with a couple RE agents through bigger pockets and they were sending me deals which looked great compared to my home market in Western MA. After I started digging into crime stats and school ratings and looking at street views they didn't look so great though.

We were just in Saratoga, NY and walked a beautiful house that we were talking about partnering on with a family member. It turned out they aren't serious and I'm not ready to take on the risk and work required to manage a hybrid STR/MTR that I believe it would take to make it viable, and also don't want to put the majority of our HELOC into one property. Anyway, I've started looking at spots that actually get me excited. For me this isn't large cities and bars and nightlife but lakes, mountains and beaches and outdoor destinations. Around me in the Northeast, I've been looking in Warwick, RI, Burke, VT, and upstate NY, particularly Saratoga and Lake George areas. All small markets and expensive. Not cash flowing with my financing unless you STR or MTR.

I'm currently considering targeting more affordable metro areas but looking at areas close to parks or natural attractions but also hosptials to open up the option for STR but more so MTR to traveling healthcare folks. I work in healthcare and have met and know many travelers. Currently looking at areas outside of Raleigh, NC (have a family member close) and have moved back to Cleveland as it has Lake Erie which I like.

Anyway, long story just to ask your thoughts on whether I'm thinking too much about the locations and whether I like them vs if they make financial sense. Have had people tell me I won't be spending time there and it doesn't matter which I know is true. On the other hand having a place that we could potentially visit if there were vacancies or could make into a vacation while checking in on it makes sense too. Appreciate any thoughts and curious how you settled on your market, especially if it was out of state?

Totally hear you. But here’s my take—numbers don’t lie, emotions do. The moment you get attached to a market or property emotionally, you open the door to risk. I treat every deal like I’m buying a business. If it doesn’t cash flow, I ask myself if there’s anything I can tweak to make it work, whether that’s STR, MTR, rehab, or better operations. If not, I move on. That said, if you’re still considering Columbus, don’t forget it’s near Hocking Hills, which Forbes named one of the top travel destinations in the world for 2023. That could be a solid STR angle if the numbers line up. You’re thinking smart—just make sure “nice to visit” doesn’t override “makes money.”

2 Votes

Quote from @Justin Scott:

Hi guys, I’m a rookie investor, I own a duplex that iv been living in for 5 years. The market I live in isn’t the best market to invest in now. I’m currently putting in offers in a new market in Syracuse Ny, because of job opportunities there and the market is more affordable. I have over 100,000 in equity and no current debt. But I’m looking to scale my portfolio using the equity in my current house. What would be the best route to scale my portfolio with cashflow being most important?

You're actually doing the right thing—taking action in a more affordable market that aligns with your goals is huge. Keep those offers going on properties that meet your cashflow criteria and don’t get discouraged by slow responses or rejections.

If you're open to other markets, take a look at places like Toledo, Dayton, and Cleveland OH. They’ve got strong cashflow potential, especially for small multis, and plenty of investor-friendly pockets.

Are you leaning toward BRRRR, turnkey, or something in between? That'll help shape how you deploy that equity.

0 Votes

Quote from @Eric Widmeyer:

My wife and I are looking to potentially invest in Toledo. We would like to purchase a 2-4 unit multi-family property for less than $300,000. We would prefer to be in a B or C class neighborhood.

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding the neighborhoods we should focus our search in Toledo? We live in CT, but am originally from Ohio and would like to invest in Ohio as opposed to CT currently.

Thanks for any advice anyone can offer!

Definitely look into Reynolds-Corners, Library Village, Southwyck, Franklin Park, and the area near ProMedica—they tend to offer solid B/C class options under $300K. I’ve seen investors do well in Library Village especially, and I’ve got a C-class duplex in Old West End that’s performing great, though that area can shift block by block.

Curious what kind of tenant profile or cash flow targets you’re aiming for—are you leaning more toward stability or upside potential? Would be cool to hear what you’re prioritizing.

0 Votes

Toledo, Ohio

Quote from @Jennifer Lipatan:

Hi All, new to the site, and looking to learn more about purchasing my first property

Hey, welcome to BiggerPockets! You’re in a great spot to start learning, this community is full of people who’ve been exactly where you are and are happy to share what worked (and what didn’t). If you’re looking to buy your first property, the forums are a goldmine. Start by digging into the “Real Estate Beginner” section, tons of threads there break down how people found their first deal, what mistakes they made, and how they financed it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if they feel basic. The more specific you are—like sharing your budget, target market, or what kind of property you’re looking for, the better the responses you’ll get.

Also, definitely check out the market-specific forums to connect with investors in your area. Local meetups and networking can lead to partnerships, off-market deals, or just solid advice from people who know your market. If someone’s dropping great info in a thread, shoot them a DM, most folks here are super open to chatting. And don’t sleep on the BiggerPockets tools like the calculators and deal analyzer, they’re clutch for running numbers and figuring out if a deal actually makes sense. The more you engage, the more you’ll learn. Stick around, ask questions, share your journey, and you’ll be surprised how quickly things start clicking.

1 Vote

Quote from @Jacob DeLorge:

Looking for what my first steps should be in getting into flipping or possibly owning a rental

Connect with a local investor in Columbus who's active in flips or rentals. They'll help you avoid rookie mistakes. Also, talk to an investor friendly lender early so you’re clear on financing options. Saves a ton of guesswork

0 Votes

Columbus, Ohio

Quote from @Alvin Smith:

I found a house in Sheriff sale in Franklin County on August 15th. It seems like a real diamond in the rough. I don't even think that rough, just a sleeper. There is only like 6700 in back taxes owed. The best I can tell - they a not auctioning a tax certificate, they are auctioning the house, and if I read right, its zero minimum bid.

So I drove by. I thought it would be an awful neighborhood. I was shocked. Clean. Looks like mostly seniors, looks like owner occupied area, pride of ownership in the neighborhood, etc. If you don't know about Columbus, ohio, there is a massive shortage on the lower end of the housing market in both houses for sale and for rent.

Surprise number 2. The home looks decent. I thought it would be boarded up or something. Just the opposite. Mowed lawn, etc. Flowers, etc. Its 2 minutes from I-670, maybe 5 minutes from the airport, and 10 minutes from Easton - the hottest shopping mall and entertainment center in Ohio.

This will be my first attempt at purchasing an investment property. My question is - how do I know how much I should bid. Any help, I would so appreciate your thoughts.

Yeah man, I'd just figure out my max offer after running comps and estimating rehab, then throw that bid in and forget it. If you get it, awesome—if not, keep hunting. With it being a sheriff sale and no minimum bid, it’s not worth stressing or overthinking. Check back close to auction day and keep stacking leads in the meantime.

0 Votes

Columbus, Ohio

Quote from @Andrew Lee:

I am a new investor from California researching multifamily opportunities (2-4 units) in Columbus. I have been analyzing properties and learning about the market, but I'd really value some local insights from experienced investors, agents or property managers.

I'm particularly interested in Clintonville, Hilliard, Northwest Columbus, and Worthington area.

Would love to learn:

- Which of these areas do you prefer for buy-and-hold rentals?

- Any neighborhoods I should add to my list?

- What's realistic for cash flow in today's market?

- Common mistakes to avoid as an out-of-state investor?

Happy to share what I learn as I go. Appreciate any wisdom you can share.

Hey Andrew, welcome to the hunt in Columbus!

Clintonville, Hilliard, NW Columbus, and Worthington are all fantastic areas to live, work, and play. They're well-established, have strong schools, and attract solid tenants but because of that, prices tend to be higher and cash flow is a tough nut to crack on traditional buy-and-hold models. You're mostly looking at appreciation and long-term stability in those pockets.

If you're set on those areas, you might want to pivot your strategy a bit, short-term rentals (STRs), mid-term rentals (MTRs), and even self-management can help boost your numbers. STRs work well where walkability and amenities are strong, and MTRs can thrive near hospitals, universities, or big employers. Just be sure to check local rules and HOA restrictions for STRs.

A couple neighborhoods you might add for better cash flow potential: look into areas just outside of those hot zones like North Linden (carefully vetted), Whitehall, or even parts of the Hilltop if you're open to heavier lifting. Also consider suburbs like Reynoldsburg or Groveport — they’re a bit less “sexy” but might offer better entry points.

Common out-of-state investor pitfalls? Overestimating rent, underestimating rehab or property management, and relying on out-of-date comps. Boots on the ground (either yours or trusted contacts) make a huge difference here

0 Votes

Columbus, Ohio

1 2 3 4 5 6 … →

All Forum Posts by: Anthony L Amos Jr

Anthony L Amos Jr has started 6 posts and replied 522 times.

Post: Out of state investing

Post: Priorities after Submitting an Offer

Post: New investor wanting to grow portfolio

Post: Choosing a market

Post: Opinions on my next move

Post: Best Neighborhoods for Small Multi-Family Investing (2-4 units) in Toledo

Post: New member -- Rookie Real Estate

Post: New to real estate in central and northern Ohio

Post: New here and I need some help and advice

Post: New Investor Seeking Multifamily Insights