Buy and hold investing in Columbus, OH?

Hi all
What is the Columbus, OH area like for investment? I am an out of town investor looking for buy and holds there and all the information I have received leads me to believe that it is solid.

Appreciate any advice you guys could offer!

Thanks

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 11:13AM

Will Barnard

Rehabber · Santa Clarita, California

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Jan 14 '10, 05:55 AM

Solid? What specific information led you to believe that?
What is your investment strategy - cash flow, appreciation, or . . .?

OH as a whole has the second highest vacancy rate in the country, one of the top population decliners, and has an unsatble RE market.
I feel your strategy explanation would better equip us to answer your question, plus I am curious about what info led you to the conclusion you reached.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 11:13AM

Will Barnard, Barnard Enterprises, Inc.
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Josh Keys

Accountant · Sydey, NSW

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Jan 18 '10, 02:28 PM

Will
Im a cash flow investor looking for MFHs. The prices in Columbus and Cleveland seem reasonable in comparison to other cities of similar size.

Vacancies are of course an issue which I am am trying to suss out on here!!

Thanks
Josh

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 11:16AM

Jeff B.

Real Estate Investor · Lake Worth, Florida

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Jan 18 '10, 07:20 PM

Originally posted by nationwidepi

Solid? What specific information led you to believe that?
What is your investment strategy - cash flow, appreciation, or . . .?

OH as a whole has the second highest vacancy rate in the country, one of the top population decliners, and has an unsatble RE market.
I feel your strategy explanation would better equip us to answer your question, plus I am curious about what info led you to the conclusion you reached.

Will please don't view this as an attack as I value what you have to say.

I looked through the census for rental and housing vacancies and couldn't find the highest vacancy rates you mentioned. At looked at third quarter 2009 and the 75 Largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas. Additionally I viewed the Moody's Columbus economic outlook which looks okay, not as strong as Houston, or Dallas but okay. The Marketwatch survey for 2009 Best cities for business ranked Columbus 19 just below Charlotte, NC

I also did a quick blank search on Monster.com for jobs in Columbus and it came back with 2118 which is pretty good for the population in Columbus.

That being said I fully agree that there are better cities out there that will cash flow better and I would focus my investments with the largest potential for ROI like anyone else. Jeff

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 11:16AM

Staci Thrives

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Jan 19 '10, 04:56 AM

I've been buying and holding for several years in the Columbus area and like anything have had ups and downs. I think appreciation is flat right now, but I have no complaints.

Please be advised I am available for property management and after several years as a Loan Officer I will be a Licensed Ohio Realtor this spring and have an awesome Broker that is well versed in most real estated related endevaors.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 11:16AM

Jonathan Buerkert

Real Estate Investor · Columbia, South Carolina

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Jan 20 '10, 10:23 AM

I have not had much luck in Columbus, OH with buy and holds. The market just seemed dead. And I would definitely suggest avoiding Cleveland, although there are suburb areas of both cities that are highly sought after rental areas. I owned a property less than a mile from OSU's campus, but everytime I advertised the home, I got more calls from people looking for rentals in the SW area of the city. I would suggesting looking south in the Grove City area or north of Columbus, in Delaware County.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 11:18AM