All Forum Posts by: Zeke Liston
Zeke Liston has started 2 posts and replied 1551 times.
Post: First time out of state Investor
- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus, OH
- Posts 1,629
- Votes 1,507
Quote from @Isidro Rodriguez Jr:
Hello, I'm new here. I'm at a point in my life where I think I want to get into rental properties. I own a home in Southern California and have a HELOC. I've been looking at properties in Cleveland, Ohio and Memphis, TN. At the prices I'm looking at, I know the property will need some rehab. I'm thinking about the type of loan that will put the purchase and rehab together. My down payment will come from my heloc. Also the fact that I don't know the area is making it difficult. How do you guys decide when a property is good enough to invest in and keep as a long term rental?
Hi Isidro, since you’re investing out of state and it’s your first time, rehab projects can be tough without boots on the ground. From my experience with other out-of-state clients, I’d recommend building a solid team (agent, contractor, property manager, etc). A good agent can help connect you with the right people, and having that team in place makes the whole process so much easier!
Post: How Do You Handle Tenants Who Pay Late: Strict / Flexible?
- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus, OH
- Posts 1,629
- Votes 1,507
Quote from @R. Elle Berry:
Every landlord eventually runs into the issue of late rent payments. I’m wondering how other investors/landlords handle this. Do you stick to a firm process (late fees, notice to cure, etc.), or do you take it case by case depending on the tenant’s situation? I’d love to hear what’s worked best for you, especially in balancing professionalism with tenant relationships.
Honestly, it depends on the tenant. If they’re usually solid and just hit a rough patch, I’ll work with them. But I always have a late fee in the lease, so expectations are clear.
Post: im just getting into real estate. need advice
- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus, OH
- Posts 1,629
- Votes 1,507
Quote from @Aaron Phifer:
Hi, I am looking to get into real estate. I am looking at 2 units and 4 units multifamily. I am also looking at possibly buying land and doing a new build. I am wondering what would you recommend in this market during this climate. To me, it seem like Vegas is already building so many rental units. Also, the Vegas market seem to be up and down. What would be your advice? I currently do not own. This is my first time buying a property. I've never been a homeowner before. lastly, I can house hack.
Thanks!
Post: Hello, about to do my first deal and I’ve got cold feet
- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus, OH
- Posts 1,629
- Votes 1,507
Quote from @Sakheni Dlamini:
Hello folks
Out of state first time investor here. Nervous and second guessing myself as a first time investor and about to invest in Ohio market.
Can someone who knows this area please give me the 411 beyond what I can find online and what an agent can legally say.
Here’s the address I’m looking at
1615 E 47th St Cleveland, OH 44103
I know this is perhaps a C+ area. Curious about your opinions. Also a reputable property management company told me they don’t service the area because of high vacancy, break ins and other such things they can’t legally disclose. 😳 Would you invest in this area?
Please feel free to DM me if you’re not comfortable chatting here, but I really wouldn’t want to make a mistake on my first deal. Eeek 😨
Thank you so much
Best
Sakheni
Hi Sakheni, glad you’re doing your homework and asking the right questions! Honestly, I’d put this neighborhood closer to a grade D. For an out-of-state investor, that makes things pretty tough — especially with the higher vacancy rates and crime concerns in the area. In my experience working with other out-of-state investors, properties like this can quickly become more of a headache than they’re worth. Unless you already have a lot of experience dealing with markets like this, I’d recommend focusing on a stronger neighborhood where you’ll have a smoother time managing and protecting your investment. Good luck!
Post: Short Term Rental opportunities thoughts Ohio
- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus, OH
- Posts 1,629
- Votes 1,507
Quote from @Maria Carter:
Hi! I am new at BP and considering STR in the state of Ohio or near by Kentucky, seems like good places for STR are Hocking Hills and/or Red River Gorge. Any thoughts, recommendations about moving forward with a STR, or should consider other options or locations? Thanks
Hi Maria, several of my clients have bought in Hocking Hills. To be honest, it's a very saturated market. STRs typically seem highly profitable and fun, but I would make sure you aren't just buying into the hype. I've personally had a much better experience with LTRs, but if you get something very unique and market it well, I've seen some people make a ton of money with STRs in Hocking Hills.
Post: New Real Estate Investor
- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus, OH
- Posts 1,629
- Votes 1,507
Quote from @Aaron Arguelles:
Hi everyone! My name is Aaron. I am a new real estate investor based out of Utah. My strategy and goal are to buy rental properties, specifically small 2-4 unit multifamily properties, and then scale up to larger commercial rental properties. I'm currently looking at the Mid West market and properties in Ohio, like the Cleveland and Akron area. I've been listening to some episodes from the Real Estate Rookie podcast and reading some books as well. I would love any advice or tips as I am going through this journey and working on finding my first property! Thanks everyone!
Hi Aaron, both Akron and Cleveland are pretty similar in my opinion, so my biggest suggestion would be pursuing the market where you can find the best team. If you have the right team, they will help you source the best deal and management for the property. I would suggest interviewing multiple agents. A good agent will be able to connect with the rest of your team. Good luck!
Post: How Do You Vet a Property Manager Before Buying Out-of-State?
- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus, OH
- Posts 1,629
- Votes 1,507
Quote from @Christopher Rubio:
Hi BP community,
I’m new to investing and currently looking at out-of-state rentals in the $80–125K range. My biggest hesitation right now isn’t finding a deal — it’s making sure I can trust the people managing it once I buy.
I’ve read (and been told) that a good property manager can make or break the experience, especially for remote investors. That makes me wonder:
- What’s your process for vetting a property manager before you even close on a deal?
- Are there specific questions you always ask in the interview?
- Any red flags to watch out for that might not be obvious to a first-time investor?
- Do you usually get referrals through agents/contractors, or do you prefer to find PMs independently?
I know I’ll need to build the rest of my team (agent, contractors, etc.), but I feel like starting with the PM could help me move forward with more confidence.
Would love to hear from those of you who’ve been down this road already — what worked, what didn’t, and any lessons learned.
Thanks in advance,
CR
You’re asking the right questions — the PM really can make or break your experience, especially from out of state. A few things I’ve learned:
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- I like to see if they think like an investor. Do they own rentals themselves? Do they talk about tenant retention, vacancy, and expenses — or just “collecting rent”?
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- Ask about their systems: reporting, software, average vacancy time, tenant screening. If they can’t give you numbers, that’s usually a red flag.
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- Maintenance is a big one — how do they handle after-hours calls, and do they mark up repairs? Get specifics.
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Referrals are good, but I always ask for references from current out-of-state owners they work with.
If they’re slow to respond while you’re interviewing them, or they’re vague about fees/screening, trust your gut — it only gets worse once they have your business.
Post: Introduction and New Member Alert
- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus, OH
- Posts 1,629
- Votes 1,507
Quote from @Kemi Okosun:
Hello All,
My name is Kemi (Elizabeth). I am new to the real estate investing space. I hold a w-2 job currently and considering transitioning to holding some properties. I am considering investing in the Ohio market. I would like to connect with any member who invests in the Daytona or Columbus area of Ohio.
Question: Is there any recommendations on how to find discounted properties in the Ohio market or is a turnkey property the way to go?
Kindly let me know if possible.
Regards
Hi Kemi, I own a portfolio here in Columbus. There are certainly value-added opportunities in the city. Since you'll be investing out of state, establishing a good team will be crucial. I have personally invested in both turn-key and value-added properties. I would decide which route is best for you. It'll be easier to start with a turn-key property, but if you have a good contracting team, a value add will typically offer better returns.
Post: Investing Out Of State - Starting
- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus, OH
- Posts 1,629
- Votes 1,507
Quote from @Isaac Terry:
I was looking at homes in Akron & Clevand, they are affordable but since I'm out of state I'm not sure about pulling the trigger on investing.
Any advice regarding the pros and cons of these two cities? And would it be worthwhile investing to rent?
Hi Isaac, both of these cities have a great price-to-rent ratio. I own properties in Cleveland and have done well with them. I would just be cautious, as there are some rough neighborhoods in both Akron and Cleveland that seem attractive due to the cash flow but will be money pits after the vandalism and vacancy. Establishing a good local team will be crucial for you.
Post: Ohio or Vegas??
- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus, OH
- Posts 1,629
- Votes 1,507
Quote from @Amos Lee:
Hello BP Community!
I plan to sell my Vegas condo and it looks like I'll be able to make about a 35-40K return. I plan to do a 1031 into a new investment property. I have been seeing a lot of talk about Ohio (Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland), so I wanted to reach out for some advice. Should I invest into Ohio, or stick with Vegas?
My goal is buy/hold. My priority is appreciation so I plan to hold the property for at least 3-5 years. Would love cash flow, of course, but if I could at least break even on a highly appreciating property, I'd be happy with that.
Would greatly appreciate advice from all of you BP experts!
If you live in Vegas and can self-manage the property, I'd likely recommend sticking to the market you know and have succeeded in. I hold a decent-sized portfolio in Columbus and Cleveland and have seen higher appreciation in my Columbus portfolio. However, the cash flow is a bit higher with my Cleveland properties. I'm not as familiar with Cincinnati, but I have seen many headlines about the city's growth.