There are so many strategies you can deploy depending on your goals going forward. 

I think the real estate professional strategy works if it is your primary source of income.   

If you are already planning to buy out-of-state and use property management, you are leaving money on the table and may want to look into more passive strategies since you don't seem to want to do management and you will still need to manage the manager.2.

@Stephen FlemingFrom my experience working with over 400 investors, your strategy of leveraging a low mortgage rate, tapping into home equity, and diversifying with a short-term rental (STR) in Northern Michigan is well thought out.

This gives you a foundation for making a fair offer.Secure Financing: Be prepared to show you’re a serious buyer with funding lined up, whether through cash, traditional financing, or a creative option like seller financing.Have a Strategy for Repairs or Development: If the property is distressed, outline how you’ll handle improvements to bring it back to productive use.

I also work with a team that helps cash buyers execute the BRRRR strategy or build rental portfolios, making it as seamless as possible for out-of-state investors.Best of luck, and let me know if you have any specific questions!

That said, Detroit is very much a block-by-block market, so understanding the dynamics of specific areas is critical.For professional investors (and even newer ones), Detroit’s future is bright if you approach it with the right strategy, solid due diligence, and an understanding of the challenges.

Maximizing cashflow becomes a strategy choice that accounts for your market and tenants.

While your condo snowball strategy builds equity, modest cash flow and HOA fees may limit returns.

What’s your exit strategy if the partnership doesn’t perform as expected?