HUD targets average rents for an area, so just like average school grades, this typically translates to Class C property rents.In our Metro Detroit market, the MAJORITY of the claims about getting higher than market rents can be traced to a Class D Neighborhood/Property. 

I've been a BP Featured Agent for many years, targeting multifamily investors and house-hackers.

With all this information you get a total out of pocket estimate, net cash flow and total ROI, which takes into account estimated vacancy (~10%) and property management (15%) and a maintenance/repairs budget.They have target cash flow and ROI percentages for every market they are in, and if the numbers don't work out, that deal never makes to the investor. 

I assume you’re going to have to target just accredited investors as the judge would make you give anyone else their money back.

Your reinvestment targets for a 1031 exchange would have you purchasing $700K of replacement real estate using all $500K of equity. 

Make sure you choose a realtor who is used to travelling into your target community and not just engaging properties from behind a phone/computer screen.

It’s worth researching to see if this might be a good fit for your situation.Lease Structure and Clauses: Work with an attorney to draft a lease with strong clauses for late fees, maintenance responsibilities, and other terms to protect your interests.Target Stable Tenant Profiles: While no tenant is risk-free, targeting tenant pools that historically have more stability (e.g., retirees, dual-income households, or tenants relocating for work) may reduce risk.Stay Up to Date on Landlord-Tenant Laws: Understanding your rights and obligations can help you navigate issues more effectively if they arise.That said, if the potential risks are keeping you up at night and the financial pressure of an eviction would be too much, selling may still be the best option for peace of mind.

Therefore, any strategic/investing where you have a solid plan to get most/all of your capital back would be my target for this type of capital.

I’m Keagan, a realtor and investor based in Indianapolis, and I’ve worked with several clients on value-add multifamily deals and have done a couple myself.For finding off-market opportunities, I’d recommend:County Tax Delinquent Lists – Great for uncovering distressed properties.Direct Mail Campaigns – Target out-of-state owners.Local Networking Events – Connect with wholesalers who specialize in multifamily.I’d be happy to introduce you to lenders and share leads if Indy is on your radar.

Target ReturnsWhile target returns are crucial, these should be discussed only with investors—not brokers or others helping you find deals.Sample Investment CriteriaHere’s an example of well-defined CCC:Location: Primary and secondary cities in the Southeast with population growth.Type & Class: Class C garden-style or walk-up workforce housing with repositioning opportunities.Age: 1980s construction or newer (case-by-case for older).Price: $5M–$12M, requiring $1.5M–$3M in funds.Size: 100+ units.Cap Rates: Market rates.Roof Type: Pitched roofs preferred.Value-Add: Opportunities for improvements or better management.Why This MattersBy creating crystal clear criteria, you:Avoid wasting time on deals that don’t align with your goals.Build trust with brokers and partners by demonstrating a focused investment strategy.Increase your chances of finding deals that meet your financial and operational objectives.I'll be posting each chapter as I go through them so you can follow along from my notes and we can discuss different strategies.