All Forum Posts by: Michael S.

Good luck doing a BRRRR in Huntsville AL right now unless you are interested in C/D neighborhoods. Would recommend looking elsewhere.

For questions about Columbus, press 1.

@Katie Roche - I have never worked with RTR, so I have no opinion or comment on them whatsoever accordingly.

However, I find the comments about Harvest, AL made by them to be. . .well, bizarre.

60 days to rent in Harvest means that either the property isn't adequately rehabbed and/or not priced accurately.  Otherwise, that area typically moves decently.  

However, I find the inability to find a capable property manager in Harvest, AL even more  bizarre.  I know of several excellent property managers in the North Alabama area that would service the Harvest area, including several that I've never worked with personally, but have a good rep in the area.  Maybe the strategist simply does not know the North Alabama market as well as other areas they cover?  I don't know.  

Good luck with your REI.

@Wendy Carbone - to clarify, you bought this in 2021?  

If so, this serves as a great example of how much the market has changed - if someone were to buy this property in 2025, it would have significant negative cash flow, whereas you have positive cash flow given the price point of purchase in 2021.  

Nonetheless, nice property - it looks like a Jeff Benton house in Hampton Cove if I were to guess.  

@Chris Clothier - thank you for taking the time to provide your thoughts.  They parallel many of my posts on BP.  Others who do not know the market here keep pushing the vibe that Huntsville is all sunshine and roses for investing at present.  For those who invest here, it has been tough sledding since 2023, and much more challenging since the onset of 2024.   Right now, you have to be able to source off market properties or be willing to force cash flow with large down payments.  I am even good with cash flow neutral - have been since I started - and still can't find deals that work in that regard.  Best wishes. 

Perhaps you misinterpreted my post - I was not bashing REI Nation either - instead, as I posted, I was genuinely curious to hear their perspective on the Huntsville market since they have done turnkey properties here in the past.

As I have noted in another thread, the number of individuals who post on BP about the Huntsville market that have zero experience investing or managing properties here has accelerated recently for unclear reasons. Since REI Nation has had real experience here, I was genuinely curious to hear their thoughts.

@Chris Core - you will not find cash flow in Huntsville right now unless you want a C/D neighborhood property (not all of those work right now either) or you want to put over 30% percent down on a purchase to "force" cash flow.  Or you want to spent the time, effort, and money to try and self-source an off market deal here.  

As @Joe Villeneuve recommended, would look elsewhere at this time.  

@Sadler Surratt - just curious, why did you ask Cosmo about looking into turnkey options in Huntsville? I see that REI nation has zero available for Huntsville, and my impression is that even turnkey operators can't make the numbers work here right now. I'm actually curious to hear what REI nation's impression of the Huntsville market is right now.

@Lillian Pintaro - you are correct for high end MFH here.  However, I believe @Cosmo DePinto is referring to SFHs, to which your statement would be incorrect.  

Rental rates are fine for SFHs - I haven't had to drop my rates whatsoever with turnover, nor have I had a single tenant try to negotiate a lower rate.  In fact, I have still been increasing my monthly ask with turnover.

I agree with what @Dena Puliatti said - it is not a cash flow play in Huntsville right now whatsoever, but more of a "break even" cash flow play for appreciation.

Folks, there is a LOT of dysinformation on Bigger Pockets right now about the Huntsville and Madison areas in numerous BP threads right now - more than I have ever seen in the past.  Be cautious on what you take to be fact.  Part of it is because a lot of the long time investors and wholesalers in this market have vanished from BP - as in, haven't posted in months to years.  

@Greg Gallucci - would not recommend looking in Huntsville for MFH right now.  Overbuilt on the high end MFH.  Low end MFH is overpriced for the current rent amounts.  Would look elsewhere.