that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

This means you'll get a good cash flow, but appreciation of the property will be low.In the phoenix area there is more ownership and less renting, but due to prices increasing faster than inflation we are seeing a rise in renters.

Selling at breakeven (excluding cash flow) isn’t necessarily a loss.Look at how much equity you've built and the true appreciation of the property.

Get a firm quote before committing.If appreciation is low, ensure rents are strong enough to justify the effort. 

@Rajesh Kasturi My favorite MTR market for cash flow AND appreciation is Portland, OR. 

Appreciate any tips, insights, or experiences you can share to help guide me through this process!

Cash flow is difficult here in California, and so I'm looking for opportunities that have strong appreciation and long-term growth opportunities with strong tenant bases to complement my long-term investment strategy.I appreciate any insight and stories.

Your appreciation will be inflation, which is real appreciation because of leverage. 

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Section 8: Rents are too high for the program and cash paying tenants are better overall.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsSection 8: Rents are usually too high for the program.Class C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

They may be offered at a cheaper price point relative to the coasts but that doesn't mean that those neighborhoods haven't seen population growth and appreciation.