All Forum Posts by: Mike Paolucci

 Hey @Matthew Matilsky if you can find a local multi-family where the numbers make sense, do it. If not, then take a look at the Ohio markets. I started my investing journey by doing OOS and have been pretty happy with the cashflow and appreciation over the past couple of years. 

Let me know if you have questions! Good luck on your investing journey! 

As a San Francisco, CA native, I know the feeling. I started investing in 2021 and finding properties where the numbers and landlord laws made sense was rough. I ultimately settled on Columbus, OH as my target market and have been pretty happy with my decision. Entry points are a lot cheaper than back in CA and you actually have landlord rights out here. 

Let me know if you have any questions. 

Hey @Kevin Zhang take a look at the Columbus and the other Ohio markets. I'm born and raised in North Beach San Francisco and started investing in Columbus back in 2021. I've been able to find a great mix of cashflow and appreciation which helped me go from a C class duplex into a A class duplex. 

Happy to connect and be a resource for you out here! 

@Giovanni Cantu I would prefer/recommend a house hack over a live & flip. You'll end up with more units in the long run and will be able to build equity faster than buying single units. 

Based on your description of the situation, you're not going to cashflow while you live there, but the question you should really ask is, will it cashflow after you move out? 

If it cashflows after you move out then it sounds like a good deal to me. Think long-term, not short. 

 Hey @Pavan Muralidhara I ran into the same issue when I started investing in 2021 while being born and raised in North Beach, San Francisco. Numbers and landlord laws just didn't make sense imo.

I started lookin at out of state investing to find properties that will cashflow and settled on Columbus, Oh as my main target market. I've been pretty happy with my decision so far...I've experienced a healthy mix of cashflow and appreciation since starting to invest out here. 

I just had dim sum with another investor from Russian Hill, San Francisco who flew out to check out the neighborhoods and is in contract on a duplex on the west side of Columbus. 

Biggest key is to develop your local teams. Investor friendly agents & lenders, property manager and contractors. Happy to share my OOS investing experiences with you and answer any questions you might have. 

 Hey Alex. I'm originally from San Francisco, CA and started investing in 2021. It was pretty hard to find properties where the numbers and landlord laws made sense which is what ultimately led me to investing in Columbus, OH.

The numbers and landlord laws out here made sense then, and they still do today. I've been able to get a healthy combination of both cashflow and appreciation from all my properties after a little TLC.

Happy to share my experiences. Good luck on your REI journey and property search!!

Just sent you a list of Property Managers. Hope it helps! 

Hey @Diran Deukmajian. I was born and raised in San Francisco and ran into the same issues finding properties in 2021. I ultimately chose Columbus as my target market and have been pretty satisfied with my decision. 

Pros 
- cost effective entry points which will allow you to scale your portfolio easier. 
- Depending on your target market, you can get decent cashflow from day 1 + appreciation as time goes on (if you target  a market with good population growth and other catalysts) 
Cons:
- in the beginning, not being able to see/go to the property and having to trust a complete stranger with your investment. Sam is absolutely correct about the core4. Those are essential to investing out of state. 

Happy to share my out of state investing experiences. 

Good luck with your REI journey and let me know if I can help out.

Hi Schmel. I'd suggest attending some local meet ups and networking at those events. You'll be able to learn from seasoned investors / agents / lenders and learn from their mistakes. 

As a San Francisco, CA native, I ended up investing out of state back in 2021. The numbers in CA + landlord laws didn't make too much sense to me and imo, if it doesn't make money, it doesn't make sense. 

Keep doing some research and building up capital, get good at running numbers so you're ready to pull the trigger on a good deal. Don't get stuck in analysis paralysis but also don't get too hooked onto a deal. Trust your numbers. 

If you're not able to find any deals that make sense in CA, look into out of state investing. 

Happy to share my OOS investing experiences and answer any questions.

If you cannot house hack, then I would suggest a SFR for your first rental. Less financial liability and wear/tear on your property. You'll learn a lot from your first property regardless of 1/2/3 units, but I'm a big believer in limiting your risks while learning.

Happy to share experiences and answer any questions.