All Forum Posts by: Najma Osman

Hi @Alice Yang,

I reccomend looking at the midwest. Columbus, OH is currently ranked one of the fastest growing cities and is more affordable compared to other markets in the US. We have strong rental demand and favorable landlord laws.

Hi @Account Closed, 

With $100K saved up and the ability to save $4K/month, you're in a great position to start building your portfolio! Both Cleveland and Columbus are great markets to BRRRR due to their affordability and strong rental demand. Cleveland often offers better cashflow while Columbus is one of the fastest growing cities in the US.

Investing in the Midwest while still in college in LA is definitely possible if you have the right team and strategy in place. You can use local real estate agents, property managers, and contractors to help you invest and manage remotely.

Feel free to reach out if you're looking to invest in Columbus! I would be happy to share some reliable contractors and property management companies for you to vet. 

Hi @Jake Benny, 

I've had many clients come to me with horror stories from working with turnkey provider services. While these companies can offer convenience, it's crucial to vet them thoroughly to avoid any unpleasant surprises like excessive fees. Try connecting with an investor-friendly realtor who can find you rent-ready deals (on and off-market) and provide accurate market rents for the deals you're looking at. Best of luck with your first property!

Hey @Alex Perez, 

I have family in Minneapolis so I visit pretty often! Welcome to BP, it's nice to connect!

Hi @Terry Robinson, 

Welcome to RE investing! I reccomend networking as much as you can to build a strong team. Find a trustworthy agent, contractor, lender, and property manager to start out. 

I invest locally in the midwest as well! Always happy to be a resource if you're open to deals in Columbus, Ohio! 

Hey @Rahul P.!

Welcome to BP! Columbus is a great market to look at as it is one of the top growing markets in the US right now. I'd reccomend you start with a more turnkey or light value add deal until you find a trustworthy contractor. I'm happy to go over the different neighborhoods and help you get a feel of the city!

Hey @Matt Owens,

Congrats on getting your finances in order and narrowing down your market choices! Out-of-market investing can be a smart move if you're looking for more affordable opportunities. I recommend focusing on building a strong local team, including a reliable property manager, lender, contractor, and real estate agent. Start with a property that requires minimal renovations to keep things manageable. Doing thorough market research and leveraging local expertise will be key to your success!!! I invest locally so feel free to reach out if you have any questions about investing in Ohio!

Hi @Luis Espinosa, 

Welcome to the BiggerPockets forum and the world of real estate investing! It's great to see you starting your journey. Building a strong local network of trustworthy professionals is incredibly helpful as you get approved for financing and start property searching. If you're open to other markets, I invest locally in the midwest and I think we have some strong RE markets that are relatively affordable. 

Best of luck!

Hi @Zack Hellman, 

Zillow and Trulia rent and property value estimate can be very off at times. I would be careful relying on those in your analysis. Instead, rely on comps that sold nearby for value and look at more trustworhy rental data softwares like rentometer. A realtor that works with investors in the area should be able to provide this data! 

Hi @Account Closed, 

Networking can be challenging but leveraging local real estate groups and online forums helps!!! Many investors find deals through local agents, wholesalers, and auctions. If you're really comitted, cold calling or direct mailers (what I do for my clients). The purchase process is similar to local transactions but will require a strong local team for inspections and property management. Direct negotiations with sellers can be effective in getting you a good price but make sure you have a strong understanding of the market. If you're looking at any listed delas,, I would definitely go through an agent. Hope this helps!