All Forum Posts by: Will Gaston

Hi everyone,

I'm a new investor from Austin, TX, and I'm hoping to get some thoughts on an idea I'm exploring.

I'm thinking about buying my first rental property in a Midwest college town. Something small to start with. The plan is to rent it to a student from fall through spring, and then use it myself during the summer months to try and escape the Texas heat.

Has anyone here tried a similar strategy? I'd love to hear your advice on the pros, cons, and any tips for a beginner.

Thank you

Hey everyone —

We’re actively expanding our portfolio into student housing and building long-term buy-and-hold strategies around Tier-2 and SEC campus markets.

Target Criteria:

• 80+ units (purpose-built or converted)

• Within 3–5 miles of campus

• Markets with growing student populations and limited new supply

• Ideally pre-leased or with some operational track record

• We’re open to both on- and off-market opportunities

We’ve modeled our acquisition approach around high-yield, Tier-2 university markets (think: Coastal Carolina, Troy, Kennesaw, Eastern Kentucky) where competition is lower, student demand is steady, and mom-and-pop owners still control a big chunk of inventory.

We’re also looking at core SEC metros — Auburn, Columbia, Knoxville, etc. — but only where value and scale align.

Appreciate any intros, perspectives, or war stories from the trenches.
Always looking to trade insights, let’s connect.

I’m exploring a strategy around student rentals and wanted to get some feedback.

The idea is to buy affordable 3–4 bedroom single-family homes near a university, rent them by the room at $500–$700 each, and furnish them to appeal to students.

Example:

• $120K purchase + $15K rehab = $135K all-in

• 4 rooms at $600 = $2,400/month gross rent

• After expenses, projected CoC return is 10%

Has anyone here had success with this model? What challenges should I be ready for (turnover, management, wear and tear, etc.)?

Hi Everyone, long time pod listener, first time poster. I'm curious if there is a population on here that owns student rentals? I haven't heard student rentals discussed on Bigger Pockets podcast or Real Estate Rookies. While I see similarities to co-living strategies, there are a lot of unique situations that come up with student rentals due to the "student"/young adult nature of the renter. My husband and I bought a student rental in a small market 2 years ago and are learning a lot as we go, but I'm struggling to find experienced landlords in this space who I can learn from as well. Is there a community already on this forum?

I am an Investor in the Boston area, dropping off new student at USC next week.  I had a difficult time finding a decent Air B&B, so led me to start looking at the market.  Can anyone recommend a neighborhood (looks like there are numerous areas within Columbia?) for a upper scale rental unit I would use as a short term rental?  Anyone have insight about the demand?  Looks like there are several good attractions in the area, and lastly - anyone know of a property manager in the area?

Thanks in advance for any and all info.....appreciate it!

Hello everyone, I am a rising sophomore at the University of South Carolina, and I want to get my first property before the school year ends. I have been intrigued by investing since I was 14, and as I have grown older I have realized that real estate investing was the field I wanted to enter. For about a year now, I have been researching real estate. I started going to REIAs about 7 months ago, and have been building a network since then. While I have been home for the summer, I have been interning and mentoring with a veyr successful wholesaler/investor who I met with at one of the REIAs I attended. At this point, I have learned a lot and have had great hands on experience and opportunities. With the momentum I have built over the last year, I do not want to stay stagnant. For me, the next logical move seems to be to start my own business.

I am starting a wholesaling business in an effort to raise capital, get my own experience with starting a business, learn, find deals, and to get started with a long and fruitful career in real estate. I dont want to stay primarily wholesaling properties, and I plan on using wholesaling to expand into flips and rentals. My biggest goal is to acquire my first rental property and house hack it for my Junior year of school. I know it will be challenging to do all of this while a student, but I also believe that now is the best time to get started.

I have about 10k saved up in cash, stocks, and crypto, and I also plan on getting a job serving or catering while I am at school. I would greatly appreciate any advice or knowledge yall would be willing to share. Also, if there are any investors or agents in Columbia, I would love to have a chat! 

@Will Gaston In an ideal world I would like a total 3000 Sqft with each unit being 1500. For Bed and bath I would like a 3/2. For location I'm still trying to decided that. I'd preferable like it to be in an upcoming desirable area that will build up my property value over time

@Will Gaston not yet I'm just trying to weight my options of where to start 

@Patrick Roberts okay got it, thank you for that info. The only real reason I'm considering it, is because I'm having a hard time finding any good duplex properties in Columbia South Carolina. Any suggestions that could help me with finding good turnkey duplex property in the area?

  is my go-to recommendation for student rentals.