Starting to get to Know the Community

[Bailey Deshmukh]

Hello Everyone,

My name is Bailey, and I’m a young professional based in the Cool Springs area of Nashville, Tennessee. I'm currently exploring opportunities in real estate as a pathway to building long-term wealth. My initial investment strategy involves acquiring single-family residences (SFRs) or townhomes within the local market.

Some of the areas I’m currently interested in (in no particular order) include:

• Nashville, TN

• Clarksville, TN

• Columbia, TN

• Murfreesboro, TN

• Antioch, TN

• Madison, TN

• Donelson, TN

At this stage, I’m focused on investing within Tennessee, though I’m open to expanding into out-of-state markets in the future.

Given my current living situation, house hacking isn't an option, so I plan to pursue a conventional loan. My focus is on identifying well-located properties with solid financial fundamentals. I’m taking a thoughtful, data-driven approach and aiming to avoid common missteps such as:

• Overestimating rental income or underestimating expenses

• Buying in low-cost areas without considering long-term value

• Neglecting to thoroughly vet property managers

• Skipping key steps in due diligence and inspections

I’m looking to connect with experienced professionals in the Nashville real estate community—property managers, real estate agents, tax professionals, and others—who are open to sharing insights on topics such as market analysis, tenant screening, exit strategies, and real estate tax planning.

If you're open to a quick conversation, I’d greatly appreciate the opportunity to learn from your experience. 

Thank you, and I look forward to connecting.

[Melissa Justice]

@Bailey Deshmukh,

Hi Bailey! sounds like you’re taking a smart and strategic approach, which will definitely set you up for long-term success. You're clearly doing your homework, and that’s huge.

While Middle Tennessee is a solid market, many areas are becoming quite competitive with tighter cash flow margins. If you’re open to strong complementary markets to diversify or even get a better return, you might want to keep an eye on places like:

San Antonio, Houston & Dallas, TX – All three have strong population growth, landlord-friendly laws, and consistent rental demand. San Antonio especially offers great value for long-term rentals.

Ocala, FL – Rapidly growing with a booming healthcare and logistics sector. Still affordable with excellent rent-to-price ratios.

Akron & Canton, OH – Lower acquisition costs and strong returns. Great for investors starting out or scaling portfolios with lower capital.

Birmingham, AL – Strong rental yields, lots of value-add opportunities, and solid tenant demand in stable neighborhoods.

Columbus, GA – Affordable homes and military-driven rental demand with steady returns.

Albuquerque, NM – Appreciating steadily, with a growing job base and low vacancy rates.

Even if you're staying in Tennessee for now, these markets are worth tracking for future scaling. You’re already ahead by thinking about due diligence, property management, and long-term value. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want insight into any of those out-of-state options.

Best of luck!