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All Forum Posts by: Tom Ott

Tom Ott has started 941 posts and replied 4593 times.

Post: Choosing a market - thoughts and recommendations?

Tom OttPosted
  • Equity Raiser and Turnkey Provider
  • Cleveland, OH
  • Posts 4,766
  • Votes 1,368
Originally posted by @Uzma Abdullah:

Hello BP folks!

I am relatively new to real estate, specifically in the US market. I live in So Cal and have 3 properties in Toronto, Canada. My husband has been doing well with flipping homes to accelerate our cash savings. Our vision is to use these profits in addition to some cash saved aside and invest into buy and holds in the US. We have some ambitious goals to grow our portfolio through BRRRR, and I'm currently exploring markets for out of state real estate (So Cali is not an option!).

We are looking for RE under $100k that will cash flow positive and has some appreciation (but cash flow is priority). We are trying to decide whether we should go with a SFH or MFH as our first "get our feet wet" opportunity. But where I would love to get some advice is on WHERE to invest? Through some research and advice, I've come up with a few locations, but would love to get your thoughts on any of the below locations or others not included. I know I will have to take it further and narrow down the neighborhoods, but once I lock in my "where," I will look for some local agent support (will probably start with finding someone through referral or BP!):

- Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio

- Saint Louis, Missouri

- Phoenix, Arizona

- Kansas City

- Oklahoma City

Looking forward to hearing what you all have to say...!

 Cleveland is perfect for investing right now. It is not flooded with as many investors as some of those other markets. Prices are still low and the rent keeps going up, even during the pandemic!

Post: First-Time Investor in LA

Tom OttPosted
  • Equity Raiser and Turnkey Provider
  • Cleveland, OH
  • Posts 4,766
  • Votes 1,368
Originally posted by @Max Grust:

I'm looking to invest in my first RE deal at age 26. I live in West LA and work in commercial real estate finance so have experience with analyzing deals. I'm interested in the buy, hold, and sell strategy with a cash flowing property. I will be partnering with 2-3 other people so our budget is ~$400K and we are looking at anything from a duplex to a fourplex. 

Not sure if an out of state (i.e Las Vegas, Phoenix, Kansas City) property for our investment is the correct decision or to stay local in Los Angeles. Also would preferably like to find an off-market deal so not sure how plausible that is with being out of state. Thanks 

 Many investors who live in CA, tend to look to the Midwest for deals. In some Mid-markets like Cleveland or Cincinnati, you can find some great properties that perform very well for under $100k. 

Post: In which city would you start your rental property empire?

Tom OttPosted
  • Equity Raiser and Turnkey Provider
  • Cleveland, OH
  • Posts 4,766
  • Votes 1,368
Originally posted by @Victor Fu:

@Scott McCord, I am also start to look at Texas as out of state investor. Can you suggest some area to start?

 Cleveland, Ohio. Low prices and the rent is going up still! 

Post: How to Start Real Estate Investing with a Day Job

Tom OttPosted
  • Equity Raiser and Turnkey Provider
  • Cleveland, OH
  • Posts 4,766
  • Votes 1,368
Originally posted by @Kai Zhou:

Hi, my name is Kai. I recently read Brandon's book “The Book on Rental Property Investing" and got really interested in real estate investing. But here is my situation. I work in the finance industry, and my day job is very demanding. I have to work 12-13 hours a day. I do have the weekends to myself, which right now I mainly spend on unwinding and relaxing. In Brandon's book, it seems that rental property investing can be a very time-consuming process. You will need to spend time on finding deals, analyzing deals, carrying out due diligence, and all other stuff. I have imagined doing this at night and on weekends, and it just felt overwhelming to me. 

Apart from that, I live in northern California Bay Area, where the property values are extremely high, and the rent-to-price ratios are low. It seems like most of the time I will just be building up equity instead of receiving cash flow if I invest in California. Most likely I have to invest in another state like Idaho/Michigan to find attractive deals. This "long-distance" adds another layer of difficulty to me starting on real estate investing. 

Does anybody have similar experience before or are in a similar situation now? If so, could you give me some advice on how to start out despite these difficulties? Thank you!

 Maybe investors go with Turnkeys when they work a 9-5. The idea is that a Turnkey Provider would own the property first (not be a listing agent) then they would renovate it all in-house, place a tenant, and then manage it after the sale. Again, this should be in-house and not with a third-party. The idea behind Turnkeys is that it is all done for you prior to closing and the property should be passively cash-flowing from day 1. 

Post: Investment property under $200K

Tom OttPosted
  • Equity Raiser and Turnkey Provider
  • Cleveland, OH
  • Posts 4,766
  • Votes 1,368
Originally posted by @Rushda Hakim:

Hi All!

My husband and I are first time investors and are looking to diversify into real estate. 

We're based in Jersey City but looking to buy remotely ,our budget is about $200K. Our goal is to generate supplemental income overtime but its also important to us that the property value appreciates over time too. 

What are the best cities/neighborhoods to look at post covid? Should we work with a real estate agent ? 

Not sure where to start from. HELP! 

Thanks in advance !

Rushda

 I would stick to the Midwest, maybe check out Cleveland or Cincinnati. Prices there are still pretty low. 

Post: Newbie from Orange County

Tom OttPosted
  • Equity Raiser and Turnkey Provider
  • Cleveland, OH
  • Posts 4,766
  • Votes 1,368
Originally posted by @Chris Oakeson:

Hi everyone!!! I'm new to real estate and I'm looking to learn more about flipping as well as investing in real estate. I live in Yorba Linda CA and I want to connect with others to help me get started. My goal is to flip houses and have some rental properties. I've listened to the podcast for awhile now and I am ready to take the plunge into financial freedom. I'm excited to learn and grow!!!

 Hello and welcome! Best of luck to you! 

Post: How to Get Financially Free by Purchasing SFRs

Tom OttPosted
  • Equity Raiser and Turnkey Provider
  • Cleveland, OH
  • Posts 4,766
  • Votes 1,368

Most people dream of becoming financially free … and most people aren't exactly sure what path to take to get there. If you've got cash to invest, where should you put it? Should you start a small business, buy stocks, or invest it in real estate? What about purchasing SFRs?

Many experts agree that it should be the latter – and they point to single-family residential homes (SFRs) as a way to get the most for your investment dollar.

Purchasing SFRs — What You Need to Know

Better Financial Leverage and Diversification

Unlike many other types of investments, purchasing SFRs allows you to maximize far beyond the dollar amount you have to spend. If you have $250,000 and use it to purchase stocks, for example, you can only purchase up to $250,000 across any given stocks.

By using that money to finance SFRs, however, you can invest in a value that’s far greater than the $250,000 you put down. Even better – you can spread that money out to make down payments on several different homes, diversifying your investments across properties and even various areas. This will help insulate your investment should property values drop in a specific area.

Make Passive Income

Regardless of real estate market ebbs and flows, a SFR will increase in value over time. This will happen due to supply and demand, fiscal inflation, drops in home interest rates, as well as factors in any given area that suddenly make it more attractive (such as the development of new shopping, offices, or infrastructure projects that increase the quality of living for residents in the area). The long game in real estate investing is, of course, to take advantage of these increases to make money on a sale.

One of the best things about purchasing SFRs as an investment strategy is the potential to make passive income in the meantime. In fact, people who purchase turnkey SFRs are ready to generate cash flow from day one; some turnkey properties even come with renters already in place. As these properties increase in value over time, they are able to fetch an even higher rental rate.

Renting out an investment home may sound like anything but a passive investment to someone who isn't excited about becoming a full-time landlord. Hiring the right property management company will ensure that you can fully focus on your full-time job (or retirement, when you reach that point) as your SFR investments generate cash flow month after month.

Higher Rental Income

While passive income is rewarding, passive income from SRFs is particularly so. This is because SFRs tend to command a higher rental rate than multi-family properties. This may vary depending on size and location, but many SFRs have more square footage, more bedrooms, and more bathrooms than an average rental in a multi-family building.

In addition to the extra space, tenants are willing to pay higher rent for the extra amenities that come with a house. Items such as a garage, a porch, and a fenced yard come at a premium when it comes to rent prices.

Get Tax Deductions

Another reason many investors choose purchasing SFRs as a strategy is the ability to take advantage of helpful tax breaks. Owners of pass-through businesses (including rental businesses structured as LLCs) are able to deduct 20 percent of their business’s income. This is particularly helpful for investors looking to build long-term wealth and become financially free.

Work with a Turnkey Investment Company

Investing in SFRs requires choosing a property that will see a good rate of appreciation over time and generate enough passive income to cover expenses and even turn a profit. This is why it's helpful to work with a knowledgeable turnkey investment company, especially if you're investing in an area where you're not incredibly familiar with the real estate market and trends. The can help you get on the path to successful SFR investing ⦠and on the road to financial freedom.

Post: Best Turnkey Companies

Tom OttPosted
  • Equity Raiser and Turnkey Provider
  • Cleveland, OH
  • Posts 4,766
  • Votes 1,368
Originally posted by @Johnny Wolff:

Someone I know is looking to do their first investment through a turnkey provider (I'm more of a do-it-yourself type) - which turnkey providers are the best and why?

I would start by looking at your local market. There really isn't a nation TK company. Pick a market you like and look there. I would also make sure they are TRUE Turnkey Providers. They should OWN the property first (not just be a listing agent) They should renovate it all in-house. They should also place a tenant PRIOR to closing. After you close, they should also stay on as the property manager, again, in-house. Anything less is not a Turnkey. 

Post: Expanding Cleveland network

Tom OttPosted
  • Equity Raiser and Turnkey Provider
  • Cleveland, OH
  • Posts 4,766
  • Votes 1,368
Originally posted by @Zachariah Hays:

Looking to expand my network in Cleveland Ohio or surrounding areas. Agents, contractors, lenders, investors etc. Let’s talk about business and real estate at a meet up, local bar, on the phone or exchange messages.

What do you invest in? How long have you been doing it? Where do you want to go in real estate? What’s holding you back at the moment?

 Cleveland is a great place for investing! Welcome and good luck! 

Post: Does your city have a rental registration program?

Tom OttPosted
  • Equity Raiser and Turnkey Provider
  • Cleveland, OH
  • Posts 4,766
  • Votes 1,368

We have them in Cleveland and the suburbs. They can be annoying for sure. It is always best to work with someone local who knows the local laws. This is all part of the risks of being your own Landlord.