All Forum Posts by: Hannah Liu

So what specific questions can we answer for you?

 Hey Hannah. Congrats on taking the first steps on your investing journey. I'm born and raised in San Francisco and started off as an OOS investor as well back in 2021. 

First thing I recommend is to figure out your target market. Landlord friendly states are going to be your best friend since CA isn't the best at looking out for landlords. Focus on factors like what is driving cities to grow both in population and economics. Taking a trip to the city will also help you get a lay of the land and what you can expect from the specific market you settle on. There are still some good markets that will provide cashflow but you'll need to have realistic expectations when investing purely for cashflow. 

Next, start building your remote teams. Investor focused realtors & Property managers are going to be your biggest asset since they'll be finding your deals & managing the day to day operations for you. A good, solid PM will be key to your investing. Local investor focused realtors will have multiple referrals for you to check out and interview. PM's will have plenty of contractors to help streamline the process for you and limit your liability when dealing with contractors. 

Finally, don't get caught up in analysis paralysis. Hardest step in everyone's journey is to pull the trigger on a deal. You're going to learn A LOT from your first investment property so don't get discouraged. There's ways to help limit your overall liability like targeting more turnkey properties or properties with long term tenants (2+ years of living there) to help the learning curve. I normally recommend a turnkey single family home (3b/1-2ba)/ light cosmetic work single family as a 1st investment. Single families are generally more desirable for tenants & you also get longer staying tenants most of the time. 

Happy to share some of my OOS experiences. 

Hey @Hannah Liu, great to have you here! I can feel that spark of excitement you’ve got.. it reminds me of the thrill I had when I first dove into real estate decades ago. Believe me, I’ve seen my share of ups and downs: from navigating interest rate spikes to figuring out out-of-state managment back when online tools weren’t half as good as they are now. After 20 years in the investing game, plus working as an investor-friendly agent, I’ve learned that hesitation can feel like a big hurdle but often ends up being the push you need once you break through it.

I’m personally based in San Diego, California, and licensed here, but I’ve also looked into projects across the country with folks who sought better cash flow. Sometimes that means exploring markets like Omaha or Austin or even Chicago if the numbers pencil out. A good friend of mine recently managed to pick up a modest duplex outside Phoenix that looked risky at first glance.. low rents, older neighborhood.. but with a few smart upgrades, it became a steady earner in under a year.

You mentioned your worries about remote investing and the challenges of managing properties from afar. Those concerns are totally valid. Plenty of people in California look for more affordable opportnities out of state, so property management becomes key. From what I’ve heard, there are reputable local management companies in regions like San Antonio or Omaha that handle everything from screening tenants to arranging quick repairs. I recall reading about it in CNBC...

The quest for solid returns in our current market might feel daunting with interest rates where they are, but the good news is.. if you find the right deal and set clear criteria.. like a minimum cash flow target, or a plan for eventual refinancing.. your numbers can still work out. Sometimes it’s about being a little flexible on location or property type.

But enough about me: Where do you see your first property purchase happening, and what’s your biggest question right now about making that leap?