All Forum Posts by: Travis Walker

Another vote for google voice (or one of the paid alternatives). This works well if you have partners (both get calls/texts) or if you are out of town and need to have calls forwarded to someone else's phone temporarily. 

Hey Joe,

  I haven't invested in Inkster specifically, but I have low income sfrs in Ypsi and Ecorse. It can be hit or miss, you need to know your numbers and screen your tenants. It is vastly different than what you get when you rent out a $200k house in Canton, but it can offer an equal or even greater return depending on the deal. Plus if you get section 8 tenants you have rent direct deposited on the 1st of every month without issues. 

Long story short, if it cash flows it cash flows. Just don't expect returns from appreciation. Just do your homework and make sure your numbers are there because as everyone has mentioned, there is of course many risks. 

 Hey Joshua,

  I am a big fan of both of those areas for rentals. I have the majority of my rentals in Ypsi/Belleville with a few further east. While the automotive jobs have somewhat left, the locations close to the freeways allow for commuters anywhere between Ann Arbor/Detroit/Southfield to live in these areas and make it to work within a 45 minute drive (which is statistically the furthest commute people will deal with without moving or changing jobs). Because of that and the areas being a little bit older crowds this leads to many long term renters, so my tenants average about 3.5 years in their units. That being said, I am historically a cash buyer and these areas fit my price range much easier than areas such as Plymouth/Canton. 

Hey, I'm Travis. I'm located in Belleville, MI (and buy in the surrounding areas). I started out as a contractor (family business) when I was 13 and "lucky" for me the market crashed when I turned 18. Lo and behold a low barrier of entry into the real estate market. I started buying foreclosures in 2007 and expanded slowly over the last 10 years (~1 rental per year). I have done two successful flips and currently own 10 rentals. With graduate school (Industrial/Organizational Psychology; don't worry, nobody knows what it means) and the first few years in the workforce behind me I am getting serious about expanding more rapidly over the next 5-10 years. 

I stumbled through my first 10 years through (a lot of) trial and error. I am currently focused on expanding my knowledge through BP, books, and working with mentors in order to increase my portfolio. Beyond that I am also looking to expand my team with a good local lawyer. 

I am excited to meet local investors. Thanks for taking the time to welcome me in!

Is this where we go around the room and volunteer a fun fact? I played competitive paintball for my college (Go Blue!)