All Forum Posts by: Christopher C. Evans

Hello Everyone, I’m new to Bigger Pockets and looking to start my first house hack later this year in the Boston area, which is a tough market. I’m in a position where I can either aim to buy closer to Boston at the low end of an excellent area (at the top end of my budget) or I can buy in a reasonable area (North of Boston) in the middle of my budget. From the numbers, both areas typically won’t cash-flow positively at first given my down payment, but it really depends on the specific property. I think aiming for the middle of my budget makes more sense, but is there an advantage to buying in an excellent area at the top of my budget?

@Charlie MacPherson Thank you for the detailed reply! You make an excellent point about landlord/tenant laws in MA, I was aware of many of the laws but didn't realize they even send out "testers".

As for areas, I'm actually working out of Andover and looking for a house hack to get more REI experience sooner. Any suggestions North of Boston?

Hi, I'm a new member from the Boston area (looking for my first house hack later this year), and I'm starting to analyze multifamily (2-4 unit) properties in the Boston area and just outside of Boston. I'm finding the price/rent ratios make it difficult to find cash-flow positive properties (putting down 5% as a first-time home buyer and including the live-in unit's rent as part of the NOI).

My question is: Boston (and similar areas) must be a good investment for certain types of investors, how do these investors approach such markets? Is there more emphasis on appreciation over cash-flow, are they putting a lot of money down, are there simply very few buy and hold investors etc.?

Having asked that question, my first house-hack may end up being "damage control" so I can live close to work while I look for investment properties, possibly in other areas.

I'm in a similar situation (or will be soon) in the Boston area. I would love to hear other's insight on this one as well!