All Forum Posts by: Travis Biziorek

Hey Jhamari,

I'm a licensed agent in Michigan, but I don't focus on MLS deals. My team and I specialize strictly in off-market properties in Detroit, helping investors source high-quality deals that align with their investment goals.

I lived in the Detroit area from 2017 to 2022, actively investing and building my portfolio, and I still hold 12 doors there while now living in California. Over the years, I’ve developed deep local knowledge of the market and built a solid team to assist with everything from property acquisition, renovations, and ongoing property management.

If you’re serious about investing in Detroit, here’s some helpful reading to get you started:

• Detroit Real Estate Overview: https://www.buyingdetroitrealestate.com/detroit-real-estate-investing/

• Section 8 Investing in Detroit: https://www.buyingdetroitrealestate.com/section-8-investing/

If you’d like to chat more about how we can help, you can book a time here:

https://calendly.com/tbiziorek/20min-detroit-re-chat

Looking forward to connecting!

Best,

Travis

Yes, I want people to be successful. 

It's a challenging enough market with an abundance of bad actors. Can't change Detroit if we aren't being the change, right?

Hey Leon,

I’ve been investing in Detroit since 2019 and have built a full team on the ground that handles everything from sourcing properties to contractors and internal property management. I lived in Detroit from 2017 to 2022 and now live in California, but I still hold a 12-door portfolio there. Having the right team in place is key to navigating the market effectively and avoiding common pitfalls.

Happy to discuss if you’d like—let me know!

Hey Rosa, I know you don't want to hear this because you're financially inclined to believe he isn't... but Drew is correct on all accounts.

The reality is you were sold a bum deal and easy system/profits via Martel Turnkey. You should never have been trying to make this property work as a 2-unit investment. But for some reason, Martel Turnkey didn't warn you against it.

In fact, they probably sold you most of the points you're trying to make.

Drew knows the market in Detroit extremely well, as do I. He does not need to back up his claims with specific pricing, etc. because it's very obvious that he's right to anyone that's familiar with the Detroit market.

And your responses seem to insinuate that you know better, yet you aren't providing specifics yourself. The burden of proof here is not on Drew, but rather the person (you) trying to push an "investment" that's a complete lemon.

I truly hope you get out of this with minimal losses.

I appreciate that. 

Wasn't trying to call you out. I just like to keep the record straight. I'm always very transparent about my experience, living in Detroit, the pros AND the cons to investing there.

Don't want people think I'm hiding something by omitting any of it.

 Gotta work on that reading comprehension, Drew.

The second and third sentences of my post are literally:

"I lived in Detroit for 5 years before moving out of state, and during that time, I built a strong network of contractors, handymen, and other boots-on-the-ground contacts. Without that network, self-management would have been nearly impossible for me."

I'm not the type to leave out key information.

This is a lot to read, and I admit I've largely skimmed it.

Do you have a 401k that you can pull a loan from? This might take more time than you'd like.

The other (great) option is something like LightStream Capital. I've used them when I was starting my Detroit rental portfolio in Detroit (now 12-doors). If you have a decent W2 it should be pretty easy to get up to $50,000.

The application is quick/easy and you can have the money in your bank in under 3-5 days. Definitely worth looking into.

Hi Yooni,

I’ve been self-managing my 12 Detroit doors for the last 2.5 years, and while I’ve made it work, it’s been far from easy. I lived in Detroit for 5 years before moving out of state, and during that time, I built a strong network of contractors, handymen, and other boots-on-the-ground contacts. Without that network, self-management would have been nearly impossible for me.

Here are a few thoughts based on my experience:

1. Showings: From out of state, you’ll likely need to rely on a trusted person to handle this. For me, it’s been a mix of local friends and paid contractors. Some landlords use lockboxes or smart locks to grant temporary access, but that has risks if you don’t have someone to oversee things.

2. Move-out Inspections/Cleaning: Again, you’ll need boots on the ground for this. I hire local professionals for inspections and cleaning, but even then, I’ve run into issues where things were missed because I wasn’t physically there.

3. Tools: I use software like Tenant Cloud for rent collection and maintenance tracking, but no tool can replace having someone who can physically check on properties. Even with Section 8 inspections (if you’re in that space), you’ll find that they don’t catch everything. I’ve had deferred maintenance pile up because I couldn’t be in the homes myself.

4. Other Considerations: There’s a lot that can slip through the cracks when you’re managing from afar. Even with a network, I’ve had delayed repairs and tenant issues that would have been easier to resolve if I were local. Over time, I’ve realized there’s no substitute for being able to walk through the property and stay on top of maintenance proactively.

Ultimately, I’m in the process of transitioning my properties to a property manager. Self-managing from out of state has been doable, but the challenges have added up, and I’ve realized I’ve missed things that could have been avoided with closer oversight.

If you’re just starting and don’t already have a strong local network, I’d advise against self-management from out of state. Hiring a good property manager may cost more upfront, but it’s often the better long-term choice, especially if you want to avoid burnout or costly mistakes.

Happy to dive deeper into any of these points if it helps!

Hi Melissa,

It sounds like you’re putting in some great thought and research into your investment strategy! Since you’re considering Midwest markets, I’d highly recommend adding Detroit to your list of cities to research. I imagine it’s a relatively short drive from Southwestern Ontario, and it offers some unique opportunities that align well with what you’re looking for.

Detroit has seen tremendous progress over the last decade, with significant investment and revitalization in many areas. The market still has relatively low entry points compared to other major cities, making it possible to find multifamily properties like duplexes and triplexes in the price range you’re targeting. On top of that, the rent-to-price ratios in Detroit often outperform other markets, which can mean solid cash flow alongside appreciation potential as the city continues to grow.

The key with Detroit is understanding the nuances of the market—it has a large footprint, and neighborhoods can vary drastically, even block by block. If you’re able to dive deep or work with someone who has boots-on-the-ground experience, the returns can be very rewarding.

Good luck with your journey, and feel free to reach out if you’d like more insights or resources on Detroit!

Best,

Travis

edited