All Forum Posts by: Matthew Swearingen

Try Rento-meter (free) or Rentrange ($2-$3 fee) or Zillow will get you close

When looking in the Kansas City area I would strongly suggest towns called Raytown, Independence, Blue Springs, North Kansas City (up and coming trendy area) and some areas within the City. You can for sure find houses within your price range that will produce rents from $700-$1300(I know that's a wide range) depending on the house and area.

The Kansas Side has some appealing areas that will produce similar results. Look for Turner and Edwardsville. 

@Matthew Swearingen I feel your pain! I am an agent, but I own property out of state in addition to the properties I own in Berywn and Lyons, IL in the Chicago burbs. I have had a very difficult time getting an agent that picks up the phone and that has any relevant data for me. Part of your issue may be that you are looking in secondary and tertiary markets. My experience in Chicago, which is obviously a primary market, would lead me to believe that there are simply more agents who know what they are doing in a large metro area. 

Have you tried doing a search in the specific zip codes on BP for BP pro agents? You could also go directly to property management companies and ask for their referrals. Honestly, I would start with the property management companies anyway as they will be the ones that will make or break your investment in the long run. 

Hey @Matthew Swearingen - as someone else pointed out, you may not be getting the best response from agents because there are a bunch of "tire kickers" out there that never actually end up pulling the trigger on a property. I'd suggest giving these agents a call, having a conversation, showing them how serious you are by talking about your plan/vision.

You'll need to learn more about the areas you want to invest in and be able to talk the talk too. It's sometimes hard for an agent to find what you want if you just give them the general criteria of "between $50k-$100k in a C or B neighborhood"

Look at Crime data on Trulia to see where the good and bad neighborhoods are. Check Rentometer and Craigslist to get an idea of rental rates, understand how to calculate all expenses (especially how to look up property taxes and get insurance quotes), and interview multiple property management companies.

Hope that helps and best of luck! Shoot me a private message if you have any questions I'd love to help as I myself invest out-of-state.

-Tyler

@Matthew Swearingen I feel your pain! I am an agent, but I own property out of state in addition to the properties I own in Berywn and Lyons, IL in the Chicago burbs. I have had a very difficult time getting an agent that picks up the phone and that has any relevant data for me. Part of your issue may be that you are looking in secondary and tertiary markets. My experience in Chicago, which is obviously a primary market, would lead me to believe that there are simply more agents who know what they are doing in a large metro area. 

Have you tried doing a search in the specific zip codes on BP for BP pro agents? You could also go directly to property management companies and ask for their referrals. Honestly, I would start with the property management companies anyway as they will be the ones that will make or break your investment in the long run.