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BlogArrowMortgages & Creative FinancingArrowEverything You Need To Know About Investing Out-Of-State (In Under 5 Minutes)
Mortgages & Creative Financing

Everything You Need To Know About Investing Out-Of-State (In Under 5 Minutes)

Michael Blank
Expertise: Business Management, Commercial Real Estate, Landlording & Rental Properties, Real Estate Deal Analysis & Advice, Mortgages & Creative Financing, Personal Development, Real Estate Investing Basics
126 Articles Written
How To Invest Out-Of-State

Below is short video where I cover how to go about getting your first deal in an area you’ve never been in before.

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I’ve done this a few times now (Texas, Baltimore and Washington DC), and I’m currently applying the process to an area I’m just getting into: Richmond, VA.

But the process is the same, and you can use it to learn the area, build a team, and get your first multi-family building deal.

5 Steps To Investing Out-Of-State:

Related: Wholesalers: How to Close A Real Estate Deal with an Out of State Seller

Here are the steps:

Step # 1:

Compile a list of potential team members (brokers, property managers, attorneys etc) then contact them by phone and email.

Step # 2:

Build rapport and trust with the broker before meeting him by analyzing any deals he sends to you and giving him feedback.

Step # 3:

Plan your first trip to the new area to maximize your time.

Step # 4:

Meet with each of your potential team members in person.

Step # 5:

Make sure you continue to stay in touch with each of your team members as you look for that first deal.

Let’s jump right into the video!

While it’s always better to invest in your own back yard, sometimes you need to go out of area to look for deals that meet your criteria. Even if you ARE investing locally, the process of building your team and looking for your first deal is the same: compile a list of potential team members, cold-call them, set up an in-person meeting, look at a few deals, then stay in touch afterwards.

This is my first video blog — how do you like video vs. a text-only article?

Be sure to leave your comments below!

By Michael Blank

Michael Blank is a leading authority on apartment building investing in the United States. He’s passionate about helping others become financially free in 3-5 years by investing in apartment building deals with a special focus on raising money. Through his investment company, he controls over $30MM in performing multifamily assets all over the United States and has raised over $8MM. In addition to his own investing activities, he’s helped students purchase over 2,000 units valued at over $87MM. He’s the author of the best-selling book Financial Freedom With Real Estate Investing and the host of the popular Apartment Building Investing podcast Apartment Building Investing podcast.

12 Replies
    Sharon Tzib
    Replied over 5 years ago
    Very helpful video, MIchael. Thanks for the tips. When I did this the first time (with single family, not MF) I used the same process – started with a realtor and then had them make introductions from there. Building a team is really not as hard as most people think it is.
    Michael Blank Rental Property Investor from Northern Virginia, VA
    Replied over 5 years ago
    Agreed, but with everything in this business (or life in general), you JUST NEED TO DO IT !!!

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    Jaren Barnes
    Replied over 5 years ago
    Incredible post Michael! I really enjoyed it! I think vlogging suits you!
    Michael Blank Rental Property Investor from Northern Virginia, VA
    Replied over 5 years ago
    OK, thanks for the feedback Jaren …!

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    James Pratt
    Replied over 5 years ago
    Excellent! You’re a natural in front of a camera. For me, visual is better than text as I can grasp an idea/meaning a lot easier. Keep it up.
    Michael Blank Rental Property Investor from Northern Virginia, VA
    Replied over 5 years ago
    James, thanks for replying … I think I’ll start working on another one …

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    Suzette West
    Replied over 5 years ago
    Hello, In step 4, you mention meeting in person. Does this mean that you arrange to fly out of state to meet the people on your team? Thanks for the article. Suzette W.
    Michael Blank
    Replied over 5 years ago
    Yep. But before you fly out, do all the prep work up front.

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    Lelith Walker Investor from New York City, New York
    Replied about 5 years ago
    Do you fly out as soon as you see the deal you want? Have you ever bought property that you never saw?
    Michael Blank Rental Property Investor from Northern Virginia, VA
    Replied about 5 years ago
    > Do you fly out as soon as you see the deal you want? No, I do a lot of stuff upfront and remotely, such as analyzing the financials and starting the negotiation process. If we’re getting close to the Letter of Intent stage (or after it’s been signed) I’ll then hop on a plane to visit in person. > Have you ever bought property that you never saw? Only once, one of the houses I flipped. But I’ve been working with a realtor over multiple deals and trusted her judgment and her on-paper analysis.

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    Anthony Caltabiano from Destin, FL
    Replied almost 5 years ago
    Michael, great video! I’m new to the BP community and new to real estate investing (I’ve never done a deal), but doing research in multiple markets – Baltimore and Charlottesville. Your video clearly covered the process for buyers not in the same geographic area. Thanks!
    Michael Blank Rental Property Investor from Northern Virginia, VA
    Replied almost 5 years ago
    Hi Anthony … welcome to Bigger Pockets, and thanks for the kind words …!

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