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All Forum Posts by: Jeff Marzo

Jeff Marzo has started 9 posts and replied 81 times.

Post: Moving from San Diego to Detroit. (Advice/Opposing Views Welcome)

Jeff Marzo
Pro Member
Posted
  • Developer
  • Detroit, MI
  • Posts 86
  • Votes 23
Originally posted by @Tanner Marsey:

Eh. If you’re moving strictly for RE opportunities I would stay in SD. If you have other reasons to move then I’d consider it.

Keep in mind EVERYWHERE has been good for the last 10ish years. We will see what happens to Detroit in the next down turn, dip, recession, slow down or whatever you want to call it. It’s a gamble still. Could win big, could lose your shirt.

Personally.... the winters there are enough to make me stay away regardless of the opportunities.

 I feel you on that. The weather was definitely what kept me in San Diego my whole life. Although, I do have it in my plans to fly out of Detroit during the snowy months also, so that'll work out. All in all though, I guess it comes down to the question, "is the juice worth the squeeze?" I'm sure if the right opportunity came around, we all decide on what they're willing to sacrifice and/or planning around it (in this case, the weather can't hold me back anymore).

Post: Moving from San Diego to Detroit. (Advice/Opposing Views Welcome)

Jeff Marzo
Pro Member
Posted
  • Developer
  • Detroit, MI
  • Posts 86
  • Votes 23
Originally posted by @Andrew Alson:

Welcome to Michigan, Jeff. If you’re moving soon in time for winter, then that’s something to look forward to right there. Detroit is very block-by-block and street-by-street so learn the city! There’s money to be made. Good luck.

I actually plan to visit for a portion of the winter, but plan on skipping the snowy months. Thanks for the advice for sure. 

Post: I just built a 36 unit apartment complex.

Jeff Marzo
Pro Member
Posted
  • Developer
  • Detroit, MI
  • Posts 86
  • Votes 23

@George Yu contests on everything! We've done SFR development, and it's been a goal to get into multi-family as well. Keep it up!

Post: Moving from San Diego to Detroit. (Advice/Opposing Views Welcome)

Jeff Marzo
Pro Member
Posted
  • Developer
  • Detroit, MI
  • Posts 86
  • Votes 23
Originally posted by @Daniel Pierson:

Congratulations on taking the leap, @Jeff Marzo! How much of your own capital will you be using initially if you don't mind me asking?

I am mainly going to be only relying on my own capital/credit initially so I can proven results in that market and then as deals come through, I plan to bring those deals to a some of my San Diego connection who don't have the necessarily funds to invest in San Diego, but they have enough to invest in Detroit cash flow properties.

Post: Moving from San Diego to Detroit. (Advice/Opposing Views Welcome)

Jeff Marzo
Pro Member
Posted
  • Developer
  • Detroit, MI
  • Posts 86
  • Votes 23
Originally posted by @Tim G.:

Sounds like an exciting decision. One piece of advice, don't tell people you moved there from California. It's like walking around with a "kick me" sign on your back.  Detroit is awesome, the great lakes are amazing, summers are beautiful... winters are never ending. 

Sounds like you've had your fair share of Detroit. Thank you for the advice.

Damn, too late. I have been putting more emphasis on networking out there and making some connections before I visit again in December. Of course, moving forward, that is definitely great advice and will consider that as I continue to connect with others. Thanks again

Post: Moving from San Diego to Detroit. (Advice/Opposing Views Welcome)

Jeff Marzo
Pro Member
Posted
  • Developer
  • Detroit, MI
  • Posts 86
  • Votes 23
Originally posted by @Travis Biziorek:

I relocated to Troy (metro Detroit) 2.5 years ago with my family. We came from the San Francisco Bay Area after living there for ~14 years. My wife grew up in LA.

First thing first: you will want to move back. We grossly underestimated the weather here, even though I grew up in northern Michigan. In short, we're not certain we'll stay here forever. But you can get far more house for you money, and that helps.

OK, now the opportunity. I see what you see... opportunity for real estate is everywhere here. Detroit is coming back, hands down. It's already started, and lots of locals are in denial because they're too close to the trees to see the forest. The savviest folks I meet are the ones that are relatively young yet and grew up in Detroit, or those coming from other areas and feel/see the energy.

Nobody will deny that metro Detroit (the suburbs) has come back strong. But most still aren't convinced it's happening for the actual city. I'm betting we see the first population increase in 70 years when the 2020 census comes out, and then you'll have national headlines touting the "resurgence of Detroit" that's already been underway for 5+ years.

I think it's a fantastic move if you have the flexibility to do it. 

Absolutely and thanks for the feedback. Fortunately, I definitely have flexibility since nothing really ties me down to any one location. It's funny about the weather. That's the one thing that used to keep me away from moving to Detroit. However, I've been in harsh winters before and maybe I'll travel that time of year, or who knows, right? I figure I shouldn't let weather stop me from what I am looking to do.

Post: San Diego's Bi-Weekly Happy Hour Social (6th Event)

Jeff Marzo
Pro Member
Posted
  • Developer
  • Detroit, MI
  • Posts 86
  • Votes 23

***(NOTE: Out of town from Nov4th-8th, so this next one is scheduled three weeks out. Also, Thank you to all that attended previously. PLEASE share your experiences or any photos you may have of the past ones and feel free to share this link with others so they can also attend!)***  >> Short Clip of the Previous https://bit.ly/2pSsSkw

Hello to all our San Diego friends! For the past two months I have been hosting a REI Happy Hour Social in Normal Heights, North Park, etc. and the turnout has been great and growing. So with that being said, I figured I would extend the invite to you all here and last night's event went amazingly well. If you would like to attend, let me know or comment below.

This happy hour is for you, the real estate investor, who knows the importance of networking. You deserve to wind down, enjoy an ice cold draft, and meet new like-minded investors without the worry of a presentation with a "guru" trainer/speaker.

This group is for you because you enjoy great conversation, trading ideas, comparing strategies, and sharing deals with people you can really get to know through genuine conversation outside of the office or the basic and overrated coffee shop.

Invite others to join us, if you know they will benefit, if you want to share a drink with them, or if you just don't want to network alone. It doesn't matter. We're here to chat, focus on progress, and to make sh*t happen.

Post: San Diego's Bi-Weekly Happy Hour Social

Jeff Marzo
Pro Member
Posted
  • Developer
  • Detroit, MI
  • Posts 86
  • Votes 23

Great turnout yesterday!

Thanks to all that came out, there was quite a few of us. It was great connecting with Mike and his son, Kevin, Karmen, Chris, Jared, Angel, Joshua, Adam, Jeffrey, Jose, Wesley, Lionel, and I apologize that I can't recall everyone's names, but you're definitely also appreciated for coming out

(One thing I wish I had done is had a sign-in sheet so we could all stay connected and I can thank everyone for coming out individually.)

So if anyone would like to share their experience, who they met, and what could make it even better, please share below.

Does anyone have pictures or anything? (Unfortunately, I only have this short clip https://bit.ly/2pSsSkw )

Post: Moving from San Diego to Detroit. (Advice/Opposing Views Welcome)

Jeff Marzo
Pro Member
Posted
  • Developer
  • Detroit, MI
  • Posts 86
  • Votes 23

@Grant Shipman Oh yeah, I absolutely agree. I was actually just having a talk with my girlfriend and her sister  owns 8 houses out there and rents them all out by the room. Today I spent a few hours looking at properties (just to get used to the markets and what comes with those prices). Thanks for sharing. Great chart too.

Post: Moving from San Diego to Detroit. (Advice/Opposing Views Welcome)

Jeff Marzo
Pro Member
Posted
  • Developer
  • Detroit, MI
  • Posts 86
  • Votes 23

"If you want to grow, get out of your comfort zone."

Hello all. I wanted to start this thread as a marker for the decision I made about two weeks ago after visiting family in Detroit for two weeks (and multiple prior visits over the years). While living in San Diego all my life, I have been investing in San Diego over the past 6 years through land wholesaling, infill SFR development, and other businesses outside of REI, what I saw during my last visit opened up my eyes to opportunities.

While taking time to drive through suburban areas in Detroit, I saw multiple infill lots, multiple new builds sold, and tons of MF properties in growing neighborhoods that have legitimate occupancy. I saw abandoned commercial properties in up and coming neighborhoods, etc. I am going to take a chance. Screw it.

While some may be skeptical of Detroit, I've read enough about analyzing markets to see so much potential in Detroit. I believe in Detroit. Detroit will have its Day again. It's not far off, as I see multiple companies coming in, talked with multiple investors in the area, as well as seen new commercial and residential development and rehabs all over. My Overall goal? Commercial development; big multi-family development/rehabs & mixed use spaces.

Looking to connect with local wholesalers, developers, contractors, architects, brokers, and other buy/hold investors.

Any positive/constructive feedback, comments, advice, etc is always welcome. Otherwise, enjoy following this journey we call life!