Ask about the maintenance history.Units: Visit as many individual units as possible to assess their condition and note any necessary repairs or updates.Structural Issues: Be vigilant about signs of water damage, mold, or pests, which could indicate larger problems.Safety Compliance: Verify that the property meets all local safety and building codes, including fire alarms, extinguishers, and emergency exits.Financial and Operational AspectsRent Roll: Request a detailed rent roll to understand current rents, lease terms, and tenant occupancy.Expenses: Get a breakdown of all operating expenses, including utilities, maintenance, insurance, property management fees, and taxes.Income Verification: Ask for historical income statements (preferably 12 months or more) to verify the revenue.Vacancy Rates: Inquire about the historical and current vacancy rates and how they compare to the market average.Tenant Profile: Understand the tenant mix, including residential versus commercial tenants, lease lengths, and tenant turnover rates.Property Management: Find out if the property is currently managed by a professional management company and if you will retain or replace them.Legal and ComplianceZoning Laws: Ensure the property complies with current zoning laws and inquire about any zoning changes that may affect the property.Rent Control: Determine if the property is subject to rent control or other regulations that could impact income.Permits and Licenses: Check that all necessary permits and licenses are up to date.Value-Add PotentialRenovation Opportunities: Identify areas where you could add value through renovations or upgrades.Rent Increases: Assess the potential for increasing rents based on market rates and property improvements.Additional Income: Explore opportunities for additional income streams, such as laundry facilities, parking fees, or storage rentals.Environmental ConsiderationsEnvironmental Hazards: Check for any environmental issues like asbestos, lead paint, or underground storage tanks.Flood Zones: Verify if the property is in a flood zone and the implications for insurance and risk.Questions to Ask the SellerReason for Selling: Understand the seller’s motivation to gauge the urgency and possible negotiation points.Recent Repairs and Improvements: Ask about any recent capital expenditures and future planned repairs.Tenant Relations: Inquire about the relationship with tenants and any ongoing disputes or issues.Due DiligenceProfessional Inspection: Hire a professional inspector to conduct a thorough examination of the property.Appraisal: Obtain an independent appraisal to verify the property’s market value.Legal Review: Have a real estate attorney review all contracts, leases, and legal documents related to the property.By covering these aspects, you’ll be in a stronger position to make an informed decision about your potential investment.

Generally, more units will give better economy of scale.

thanks James, in analyzing regional data, Louisville continues to show a strong local economy, with a decent trend in the growing rental market, lower median home prices and values, good reasons to make it appealing to us since we are looking to expand our portfolios, providing more affordability to enter into this market ... besides, good friends live in this city ... our visit will make it a business expense :)

There are always cycles in real estate, but because of the size of the housing shortage, lack of new builds, and the largest economy in the country, it's hard to envision where we won't continue to see price and rent appreciation.

Most of the landlords here who are successful, quickly buy 10+ for more economies of scale, have good handymen on staff, and have eviction lawyers / attorneys ready to go.

@Jennifer LexonTo find a move-in ready property in Cleveland, Indiana, Kansas City, Memphis, and Pittsburgh, consider factors like affordable real estate prices, steady economic growth, strong rental markets, diverse neighborhoods, and diverse economies.

When it comes to interest rates, ‘hawks’ are worried about inflation and want higher rates, ‘doves’ are worried about the economy and want lower rates.

If mortgage rates drop into the 5s, it's because the economy is suffering and that will impact demand.

Hi @Hughston Thackham, It's beneficial to look at other markets with stronger appreciation or higher returns. 

We are real-estate investors from CA & trying to pick an OOS market with Tulsa (stable economy and future outlook, modest appreciation & reasonable cash-flow).We heard from family/friends about new construction duplexes around the Tulsa metro targeting investors.