All Forum Posts by: Asma Shah

Quote from @Harrison Chow:

Quote from @Asma Shah:

Hi, I have read posts in a number of forums about section 8 investing in Cleveland. I am a newcomer to the real estate investment scene in the US (moved here in the pandemic), and I wanted to connect with anyone that has experience with Section 8 investments in Cleveland particularly. I am interested in looking at out of state investment opportunities as the high cost of living in NJ really does make it very investor friendly at the moment. I’m looking for information from experienced investors about areas within other cities & states that are promising for such investments. I'm absolutely clueless, and am looking for anyone who is willing to share their experiences, advice, or point me towards resources that could help in understanding the market better. I would be immensely grateful if you could share your insights on what would be absolutely crucial & invaluable to me as I take my first steps on this journey. Thanks so much in advance!

Hey Asma! Welcome to the BiggerPockets! As an investor myself, I'd highly recommend considering Columbus for Section 8 investments. It's a promising market with great opportunities. Let's connect and I can share more insights and experiences to help you get started!

 Hi Harrison, Yes i'm very much interested in colombus OH as well.

Quote from @Stephen King:

Hey Asma, Section 8 investing in Cleveland, OH is a great strategy, I have a couple of investors that buy a property a month in Cleveland and Lorrain County. I'm also an investor/lender so I can assist with any questions you might have! 

 Thank you Stephen, i'll dm you for more info.

Quote from @Samuel Diouf:

Hey Asma! Columbus, Ohio is a great market to consider if you're leaning towards appreciation. Multiple, billion dollar companies are investing heavy in our area, such as Intel, Google, and Amazon. Which will bring plenty of other investors and general business to the area. I moved here from Florida after seeing the projected growth.

 Yes, i have been looking at it closely and trying to study the areas in columbus OH as well.

Quote from @Simon Ashbaugh:

Hey Asma, Cleveland attracts Section 8 investors due to affordable properties, high demand for section 8 housing and potentially good rental income. However, it is crucial to analyze potential properties to ensure they cash flow.

This will depend on your risk tolerance and your goals but you should consider starting with a single-family home to gain experience as a landlord and build your network. This way, you can learn the ropes before tackling a larger property.

Also, when investing out-of-state, make sure you establish your Core 4 Real Estate team. This will be the key to achieving your goals.

Thanks, that information is really valuable. I'm trying to look for a course on how to better understand valuations and also tax liens in different states, so as to form better & tax efficient structures under which to invest in different states.

Quote from @Michael Smythe:

@Asma Shah please don't tell us you dropped a few thousand on a S8 guru program!

Section 8 is a tool for landlords, NOT a cure-all.

Yes, a landlord can sometimes get higher rent via S8 than they can from cash paying tenant, but only in Class C- and D areas. Then, a landlord's challenge is getting a S8 tenant to live in a lower Class area. 

Waive app fee and Security Deposits and you're sure to get a tenant, just don't freak out when they trash your property.

Another S8 challenge for landlords is fewer & fewer voucher holders have 100% of their rent paid by S8. A decent portion of S8 tenants don't pay their portion of rent or utilities - sticking it to their landlord.

Forget about using the threat of having their voucher taken away, as that doesn't really happen any more:(

We manage almost 700 doors in Metro Detroit with almost 100 S8 tenants. So, we're very familiar with the S8 program and tenants, and how to properly screen them to avoid the worst ones.

PM us if you have additional questions:)

 Hello, thanks for that detailed reply. No, i haven't signed up with any guru program, as i feel if the guru's are doing so well in their investments, why do they need to waste time selling courses!!! :)

I am however looking for a course to understand valuations better. I am a financial analyst by profession, so numbers speak to me. I need to understand better on how to valuate deals.

Quote from @Travis Biziorek:

Hi Asma, if you're in the Detroit area (sounds like you are), I'd attend the Detroit Renegades meetups. I used to go to it regularly when I lived in Troy from 2017-2022.

I have 12-doors in Detroit, 3 of which have S8 tenants. I'm happy to point in the direction of some additional resources as well.

Hi Travis, i have read many of your posts on different forums. No, i do not live in Detroit. As a matter of fact i am looking for information of how to invest out-of-state. I live in NJ, and it has a very high cost of living and with the current rate of interest, makes it a very pricey market so to say, and not that investment real estate friendly. I would love to have the opportunity to connect and learn from you.

Hi, I have read posts in a number of forums about section 8 investing in Cleveland. I am a newcomer to the real estate investment scene in the US (moved here in the pandemic), and I wanted to connect with anyone that has experience with Section 8 investments in Cleveland particularly. I am interested in looking at out of state investment opportunities as the high cost of living in NJ really does make it very investor friendly at the moment. I’m looking for information from experienced investors about areas within other cities & states that are promising for such investments. I'm absolutely clueless, and am looking for anyone who is willing to share their experiences, advice, or point me towards resources that could help in understanding the market better. I would be immensely grateful if you could share your insights on what would be absolutely crucial & invaluable to me as I take my first steps on this journey. Thanks so much in advance!

Hi, I have read posts in a number of forums about section 8 investing in Detroit. I am a newcomer to the real estate investment scene in the US (moved here in the pandemic), and I wanted to connect with anyone that has experience with Section 8 investments in Detroit. I’m particularly interested in learning about areas within the city that are promising for such investments. I'm absolutely clueless, and am looking for anyone who is willing to share their experiences, advice, or point me towards resources that could help in understanding the market better. I would be immensely grateful if you could share your insights on what would be absolutely crucial & invaluable to me as I take my first steps in this journey. Thanks so much in advance!