We see a lot of success in the suburbs:Purchase: $80k-$130kRent: $1100-$1500 (no rent control in MI)1% rule: .9%-1.4% rule dealsCoc ROI: 5-12%Total ROI: 20-40%Cash flow: $50-$250/door (after all expenses and budgeting for maint, capex, vacancy)Appreciation: 3-10%+ (has been double digit for a decade)Location: C+, B-These numbers are based on the “sweet spot” in Metro Detroit.

Here's the thing about ALE and similar agencies: they can be a goldmine, but you need to adjust your approach to meet their demand sweet spot.

I remember back when I was ramping up my own rental portfolio in those early-2000s San Diego days, I learned the hard way that ignoring “little” costs..like that termite treatment or the property manager’s onboarding fee..can turn what looked like a sweet deal into something that barely breaks even.Let’s say you pick up a property in one of those under-the-radar neighborhoods in Omaha or maybe on the south side of Chicago..markets I’ve seen a few colleagues dabbling in lately..you’ve got to be ready to get real about the numbers.

If you do it right, it’s arguably the best market to invest.Purchase: $80k-$130kRent: $1100-$1500 (no rent control in MI)1% rule: .9%-1.4% rule dealsCoc ROI: 5-12%Total ROI: 20-40%Cash flow: $50-$250/door (after all expenses and budgeting for maint, capex, vacancy)Appreciation: 3-10%+ (has been double digit for a decade)Location: C+, B-These numbers are based on the “sweet spot” in Metro Detroit.

To keep it short and sweet, depending on your deal you should have plenty of options. 

Congrats on closing soon and what sounds like a sweet deal.

When you’re done, think about final touches that signal quality: well-placed mudrooms, logical spots for washer/dryer units (maybe near bedrooms for convenience), and closets that don’t feel like afterthoughts.The biggest hurdles I’ve seen often come down to hitting that sweet spot between cost and perceived value.

The minimum hold we tell our clients is 2 years with the sweet spot being 5-7 years depending on the property. 

If you do it right, it’s arguably the best market to invest.Purchase: $80k-$130kRent: $1100-$1500 (no rent control in MI)1% rule: .9%-1.4% rule dealsCoc ROI: 5-12%Total ROI: 20-40%Cash flow: $50-$250/door (after all expenses and budgeting for maint, capex, vacancy)Appreciation: 3-10%+ (has been double digit for a decade)Location: C+, B-These numbers are based on the “sweet spot” in Metro Detroit.

You know, I’ve had a few moments where I’ve scratched my head wondering if I was getting too cozy with my home equity, but pulling out those funds for a strategic investemnt has, more often than not, led me to some pretty sweet opportunities.