All Forum Posts by: Jared Smith

 Hyper local knowledge is key. It is easy to be a professional investor and go off of the usual suspects for picking a market to invest in. Since, I am from Cleveland, OH - I know the pockets that are safe, gentrified and prospering.  Also my resources and network will allow me to move faster and smarter.  Although population is one aspect, I would respectfully disagree based on the fact that everyone has a different real estate strategy, set of skills, knowledge, and risk tolerance. In regards to access to Lake Erie, Rock n Roll HOF, Cedar Point, professional sports teams, education and economy - the rust belt is here to stay and I will believe in CLE 'till I die! 

@Michael Junior reverse engineer your RE strategy and then go from there. If you can carry the property and continue to get more, then do that. If not, you can always cash in and get the 3 or 4 family. Personally, I would hold on to it and if the tenant wants to buy it, you are most likely in a good area and the demand is there for future appreciation. Real estate... get rich slow game!

@Ned J. Sometime you have to learn the hard way but also if this is a first investment I would recommend it being within driving distance to where you are living so that you can learn the business and meet with the contractors to scale faster.

@Tom Shallcross great advice! I would also add moving 2 hrs north to Cleveland OH which is a better market!

@David Waddleton what made you decide on Columbus? I would recommend Mesa, AZ and Cleveland OH.

@Marc Winter the best deals fall into your lap! I just acquired another property because my neighbor walked next door and asked one of my tenants if I wanted to buy it off market. Word of mouth and local knowledge are powerful.

@Ned J. I have a lot of college friends that live in Columbus and if it’s German village or short north it could be worth it but the price tags are steeper. There are great pockets and neighborhoods but you have to know the market.

@Tchaka Owen great advice. I only buy where I know and I am unemotional on deals. I do have a caveat that if I wouldn’t live there myself I wouldn’t buy it but that’s just me. I prefer Class A and B properties and steer away from CMHA section 8.

@David Waddleton great start but I would start to build relationships for every part of the business. For example my lender got me 5.5% in Cleveland, OH for an investment property with no points, 30 yr fixed. Happy to help, just DM me.

-Jared

@Ryan J. Shope I can help anyone in AZ!