All Forum Posts by: Keagan Scott

Hey Christine,

You're smart to look outside of LA for better rental opportunities! Indianapolis is a great market for both long-term and short-term rentals, especially within your $400K budget. You can find solid single-family homes, small multi-families, or even short-term rental properties in high-demand areas like downtown Indy or near major universities and hospitals.

Indy has strong rental demand, landlord-friendly laws, and a relatively low cost of entry compared to major coastal markets. The key is picking the right neighborhood—some areas appreciate well and attract great tenants, while others may have higher cash flow but come with management challenges.

I work with out-of-state investors and can help you analyze deals, connect you with the right property managers, and build a solid investment strategy here. Let me know if you'd like to chat!

Hey Byoung,

Great to see you taking the first steps toward real estate investing! As a realtor in Indianapolis who works with out-of-state investors, I can give you some insights:

1. First Step After Picking a Market – You’re on the right track looking at listings and running numbers, but I’d also suggest diving into neighborhood-specific data (rents, property appreciation trends, crime rates, etc.). In Indy, some areas will hit the 1% rule, but they may come with higher turnover or property management headaches. You’ll want to balance cash flow with tenant quality and appreciation potential.
2. Finding Renters & Vacancy Rates – Property managers (PMs) will typically handle leasing, but you should vet them carefully. Ask them for rent comps, average days on market, and their leasing process. Indy’s rental market is generally strong, but vacancy times depend on location, property condition, and pricing. You can also check Rentometer and Zillow’s rental listings for comps.
3. Building a Team – Your agent is key because they’ll help you find properties that actually make sense. After that, a solid PM is critical to keeping things running smoothly. Then, build out your handyman/contractor network. I know several good ones in all these areas and can absolutely connect you. I’d also recommend connecting with local investors for their thoughts.

If you’re serious about Indy, I’d be happy to help you navigate the market and put together a strong team. 

Anyone here investing in short-term rentals in Gary, Indiana, and near the Dunes National Park? Curious about your experiences with the market, occupancy rates, and overall returns. Have a client interested there as well as myself and just wondering how it's going! 

Hi Jared, I’m a local agent here in Indianapolis and also an investor myself. I specialize in working with other investors to find great deals that meet their cash flow and appreciation goals. I’d be happy to help—feel free to reach out!

Hey Nicholas, I’m an investor and realtor based in Indianapolis, and I’d love to help you explore opportunities here. Indy is a strong market with a great mix of cash flow and appreciation potential, plus it’s very landlord-friendly. With your equity and experience, you could find solid 10-40 unit buildings that align with your goals. Let me know if you’d like insights on specific neighborhoods, market data, or connections to local property managers and lenders—I’d be happy to help!

Hey Alyssa! Would love to connect :) 

Hi Alyssa, welcome to Indy investing! There are some great neighborhoods here that balance cash flow and appreciation, like Fountain Square and Bates-Hendricks, and parts of Irvington. For properties under $300K, you can definitely find okay options in these areas. I'm a local realtor and investor, so I’d love to help you find the right property and navigate the market. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to connect or need more insights!

Hey Kody,

Fellow Boilermaker here, class of 2014. I'm a realtor and investor in the Indy area. It’s awesome to see you starting your real estate journey so early, congrats. Your plan to house hack a multifamily property in Indianapolis is a great strategy to start building equity and learning the ropes with manageable risk. Personally, I bought a 3 bed single family home soon after starting my job and had two friends from college rent which covered my mortgage plus a little extra. Was truly one of the best financial decisions of my life. 

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Financing: Since you’ll be starting your internship soon, lenders may look at your projected income or require a co-signer until you have a longer work history. Speak with a lender now to understand your options and start building a plan. I know several good ones in the area if you need. 
2. House Hacking Strategy: Living in one unit while renting out the other(s) is a smart way to offset your mortgage. Make sure to analyze cash flow, including conservative estimates for vacancy and maintenance.
3. Indianapolis Market: Indy has solid multifamily options in neighborhoods like Irvington, Fountain Square, and near downtown. These areas have good rental demand and opportunities to add value through light renovations.
4. Build Your Team: Work with a realtor familiar with investment properties (like me!) who can help you analyze deals and guide you through the process. It’s also worth connecting with a property manager and contractor early, even if you don’t need them right away. I have a list of folks I can send your way. 

Starting now, even while juggling school and your internship, will give you a huge head start. If you’d like, I’d be happy to connect and help you navigate the Indianapolis market as you move forward.

Good luck—I’m excited to see where your journey takes you!

Hi Jeffrey,

Great to see you’re looking to scale into multi-family commercial investing here in Indy! Fellow investor and realtor here. For networking and education, I recommend checking out CIREIA (Central Indiana Real Estate Investors Association). They host regular meetups, workshops, and networking events that attract investors across all levels, including those focusing on multi-family and commercial properties.

Hi Zachary,

Congrats on starting your rental property journey! I’m a realtor and investor in Indianapolis, and I’d highly recommend adding Indy to your list of potential markets. Here’s why:

Affordability: You can find solid properties here well within your $200k–$300k budget.

Cash Flow Potential: Indianapolis has a growing population, a diverse economy, and relatively low property taxes compared to some other midwestern markets like Cleveland.

Investor-Friendly: Indy is landlord-friendly with strong rental demand, especially in neighborhoods near downtown, universities, and revitalized areas like Fountain Square or Irvington.

If you’re open to a strategy involving light renovations, there are plenty of opportunities to add equity and boost rental income here. I’d be happy to help you navigate the market, identify undervalued properties, and analyze potential cash flow. I have lists of contractors, handymen, cleaners and whatever else you may need if you need me to send.

 Good luck!