All Forum Posts by: Franck Armand

Hi BiggerPockets Community

I’m currently managing my own commercial property here in Georgia through a property management company I formed, and over time, I’ve really dialed in my systems. I handle the management part-time, and thanks to investing in the right property management software, streamlining tenant communication, and building a reliable network of contractors and vendors, things have been running smoothly.

Now I’m at a crossroads.

I’m considering turning this side hustle into a full-time business — offering property management services to other landlords and scaling from there. I know Georgia requires a real estate license and affiliation with a brokerage to legally manage property for others. By the grace of God, I’ve connected with a broker who’s open to letting me operate independently under his brokerage umbrella once I get my license (currently working on it). We’d have a profit-sharing agreement, and down the line, I plan to get my broker’s license and branch off to run my own full-service real estate company.

My vision is to build something substantial — starting with property management (since it has relatively low barriers to entry), then expanding into sales, leasing, and potentially acquisitions. Property management, to me, seems like a strong foundation for recurring revenue and long-term growth in the real estate space.

That said, I’d love to hear from those of you who’ve walked this path:

• How was your experience starting a property management company from scratch?

• In 2025, is it still a profitable and scalable business model?

• What are some unexpected challenges or hidden costs I should prepare for?

• What are the pros and cons of affiliating with a broker instead of launching 100% independently?

• How long did it take you to go full-time and build up your portfolio of units under management?

• Would you do anything differently if you could start over?

Also, if there are key tools, systems, or marketing strategies that helped you grow your management business, I’d love to hear about them.

Thanks in advance to everyone who shares their insights. I’m excited and a little nervous to take this leap, and really appreciate any knowledge or advice you can offer to help me do it right.

Hi there!

I am new to the world of real estate investing and am eager to get started. I've always viewed real estate as a fantastic way to build wealth and achieve a sense of purpose and freedom through the cash flow it generates. I'm now ready to take the plunge and begin my journey. My focus is on Georgia, where I plan to build a diverse portfolio across various parts of the state.

My strategy involves long-term rentals (LTRs), buying and holding properties, and seeking both cash flow and future capital appreciation. After speaking with a few friends and realtors, I've been advised that the West End, East Atlanta Village, and East Lake areas hold great potential, particularly for higher rents and positive cash flow (>$2,800+). However, my research indicates that these areas have had issues with crime and might be considered rough.

Despite this, I understand that these neighborhoods are undergoing significant reconstruction and gentrification projects. I want to know if these areas remain desirable for investment if they are safe, and if they offer strong prospects for future appreciation. My goal is to avoid luxury or extremely expensive communities, as I believe the rental income wouldn't justify the high property prices.

I'm particularly interested in up-and-coming neighborhoods with significant potential for property value growth.

Here are my questions for the community. I understand the list is extensive, so please feel free to answer any that you can based on your experiences and insights:

1. Should I proceed with investing heavily in these locations?

2. Which of these areas—West End, East Atlanta Village, or East Lake—has the highest potential?

3. Are these locations safe and worthwhile for investment?

4. Are there other parts of Atlanta you would recommend for potential investments?

5. What specific indicators should I look for to gauge the future appreciation potential of a neighborhood?

6. How do current rental yields in these areas compare to other neighborhoods in Atlanta?

7. Can you share any personal experiences or success stories related to investing in these areas?

8. What are the key factors driving gentrification in West End, East Atlanta Village, and East Lake?

9. Are there any upcoming infrastructure projects or developments that could impact property values in these neighborhoods?

10. How do property management companies perceive these areas in terms of tenant quality and rental stability?

11. What are the most common challenges investors face in these neighborhoods, and how can they be mitigated?

12. How has the demographic profile of these areas changed over the past few years, and what trends are expected to continue?

13. Are there any local policies or regulations that could affect real estate investments in these neighborhoods?

14. What are the vacancy rates like in West End, East Atlanta Village, and East Lake?

15. How do property taxes and insurance rates in these areas compare to other parts of Atlanta?

I aim to close on my first properties within the next 4-5 months and would greatly appreciate your insights and feedback to complement my research.

Thank you in advance!

 Hi Daniel, I am considering LTR's for this project

Hi Jeff,

Thank you for your input on my post. You're right, and I had considered that too. I initially leaned towards townhomes because of the lower maintenance as I get acclimated to real estate investing. However, HOA fees can be high & eat into the profits, and rental restrictions aren't ideal. To answer to your question,my goal is to hold onto the property long-term, so cash flow is a priority for me. Given this, would you recommend single-family homes over townhomes for a buy-and-hold strategy?

 Hi Daniel, thank you for your input. I am actually considering long-term rentals 

 Hi Michael, I would like to connect with you and discuss investment strategies. What is the best way to reach you?

Hi everyone!

I am new to real estate investing and am eager to gather knowledge about real estate investments, specifically in the state of Georgia. I am curious if, in 2024, Georgia is still considered an attractive location to buy real estate for rentals.

As a new investor, I am contemplating the best approach to take. Initially, I considered investing in multifamily units, but they seem to be hard to find in the current market. Consequently, I am looking into townhomes as an alternative. From my research, townhomes appear to have lower maintenance costs compared to single-family properties and potentially offer higher cash flow.

My primary goal is to find avenues to park money while also building wealth, achieving high cash flow, and growing in the real estate sector. Would you recommend starting with townhomes and transitioning later into single-family units and apartments?

Additionally, I would appreciate recommendations on which areas in Georgia to consider for investment. My top choices for now are Kennesaw, Marietta, Alpharetta, Woodstock, Roswell, Smyrna, and Sandy Springs.

Thank you for your advice and guidance!