New South FL-Based Investor Targeting Stabilized 4+ Unit Multifamily in Columbus, OH

New South FL-Based Investor Targeting Stabilized 4+ Unit Multifamily in Columbus, OH

Real Estate Agent · Lighthouse Point, FL · Member since 2017 · 1 post · 10 votes

Hello Everyone! I’m based in Coastal South Florida where cap rates and insurance costs have gotten tough — plus hurricane risk doesn’t help. I’m originally from Ohio and looking to diversify into the Columbus/Dayton market.

I’m targeting stabilized 4+ unit multifamily between $800k - $2M (no heavy rehabs) in Grandview Heights, 5th by Northwest, German Village, and Short North. My goal is a 6–8% cash-on-cash return with long-term appreciation. Perhaps if there are any investors here who are looking to exit a flip - I would consider! 

Looking for recommendations on a good multifamily broker and property manager in Columbus, and any insight on submarkets you think are best for stable rent growth and long-term value.

Appreciate any advice or connections — thanks in advance!

10Reply
295 views

Investor-friendly agents in Columbus, OH

See the agents BiggerPockets members work with in Columbus, OH.

Most Popular Reply

Kerlous TadresBusiness Member
Realtor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
11mo
Quote from @Kevin Kreutzfeld:

Hello Everyone! I’m based in Coastal South Florida where cap rates and insurance costs have gotten tough — plus hurricane risk doesn’t help. I’m originally from Ohio and looking to diversify into the Columbus/Dayton market.

I’m targeting stabilized 4+ unit multifamily between $800k - $2M (no heavy rehabs) in Grandview Heights, 5th by Northwest, German Village, and Short North. My goal is a 6–8% cash-on-cash return with long-term appreciation. Perhaps if there are any investors here who are looking to exit a flip - I would consider! 

Looking for recommendations on a good multifamily broker and property manager in Columbus, and any insight on submarkets you think are best for stable rent growth and long-term value.

Appreciate any advice or connections — thanks in advance!


Hey Kevin, welcome to BP! I grew up here in Columbus, and it’s definitely doable to find 4+ units hitting 6%+ cap rates. I’ve got a few solid property manager contacts and local resources that could really help you out as you start looking

Kerlous Tadres | Reafco Real Estate542 Reviews
See this reply in the discussion

10 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Patrick DruryBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH & Cleveland OH · Member since 2021 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    11mo

    @Kevin Kreutzfeld
    These are solid areas. I actually grew up in Grandview. These areas won't cash flow or meet those cash-on-cash numbers. These are all like A+ locations

  • Kerlous TadresBusiness Member
    Realtor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11mo
    Quote from @Kevin Kreutzfeld:

    Hello Everyone! I’m based in Coastal South Florida where cap rates and insurance costs have gotten tough — plus hurricane risk doesn’t help. I’m originally from Ohio and looking to diversify into the Columbus/Dayton market.

    I’m targeting stabilized 4+ unit multifamily between $800k - $2M (no heavy rehabs) in Grandview Heights, 5th by Northwest, German Village, and Short North. My goal is a 6–8% cash-on-cash return with long-term appreciation. Perhaps if there are any investors here who are looking to exit a flip - I would consider! 

    Looking for recommendations on a good multifamily broker and property manager in Columbus, and any insight on submarkets you think are best for stable rent growth and long-term value.

    Appreciate any advice or connections — thanks in advance!


    Hey Kevin, welcome to BP! I grew up here in Columbus, and it’s definitely doable to find 4+ units hitting 6%+ cap rates. I’ve got a few solid property manager contacts and local resources that could really help you out as you start looking

    Kerlous Tadres | Reafco Real Estate542 Reviews
  • Jimmy LieuBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    11mo
    Quote from @Kevin Kreutzfeld:

    Hello Everyone! I’m based in Coastal South Florida where cap rates and insurance costs have gotten tough — plus hurricane risk doesn’t help. I’m originally from Ohio and looking to diversify into the Columbus/Dayton market.

    I’m targeting stabilized 4+ unit multifamily between $800k - $2M (no heavy rehabs) in Grandview Heights, 5th by Northwest, German Village, and Short North. My goal is a 6–8% cash-on-cash return with long-term appreciation. Perhaps if there are any investors here who are looking to exit a flip - I would consider! 

    Looking for recommendations on a good multifamily broker and property manager in Columbus, and any insight on submarkets you think are best for stable rent growth and long-term value.

    Appreciate any advice or connections — thanks in advance!

    Hey Kevin, welcome back to the Ohio investing mindset haha, and yeah South Florida has gotten rough with insurance and cap rates so it totally makes sense you're looking in Columbus/Dayton. Columbus especially has been super strong with population and job growth, huge developments coming in, and it's been one of the most stable Midwest markets for rent growth. I live in Columbus now and own rentals here, and those areas you mentioned like Grandview, 5th by Northwest, German Village, and Short North are all great long-term plays with strong appreciation potential, but just keep in mind cash-on-cash in those core neighborhoods can get tight since they're in high demand. A lot of investors chasing 6–8% CoC on stabilized assets also look just a little outside those pockets too, in areas like Westerville, Hilliard, Worthington, Clintonville, and parts of Upper Arlington for more balanced returns, and job growth and development from Intel, Amazon, Google, Honda, etc. is driving demand all around the city. Columbus still has a nice mix of appreciation plus cash flow and it's very landlord friendly, which is a big bonus compared to coastal markets. Happy to connect and answer any questions you have!

  • Arman AhmedPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 968 votes
    11mo

    @Kevin Kreutzfeld

    Hey Kevin, welcome to Ohio investing! You’re spot on that Columbus and Dayton offer strong fundamentals with steady rent growth and great long-term upside. The core areas you mentioned are top tier for appreciation, but returns can get tight, so investors often expand slightly into submarkets like Hilliard, Westerville, Clintonville, and Worthington for a better balance of cash flow and stability. Columbus has been booming with new developments, major employers, and solid landlord laws, which makes it a great market to diversify into. Happy to share some insights and local data points if you’d like to dig deeper!

  • Drew SygitBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 13k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    11mo

    @Kevin Kreutzfeld you're about 5+ years late to the "party"!

    You're looking for a unicorn property in today's market - in every part of the country.

    If a real estate agent or wholesaler finds a motivated owner, there are probably several investors ahead of you in their databases.

    You have 3 options:

    1) Contact a few agents - and then wait, and wait, and wait...

    2) Pursue major fixer-uppers that scare off most other buyer competitors

    3) Start building your own network that you stay top-of-mind with, so you are their first call.

    Good luck!

  • Specialist · Member since 2025 · 483 posts · 270 votes
    11mo

    Smart pivot. For Columbus small multis in those submarkets, start with a two‑call sprint: first, interview 2–3 multifamily brokers who actively trade 4–20 units and ask for recent sales they closed within a mile of your targets; second, vet 2 property managers who already manage in Grandview/Short North/German Village and get their true rent ranges, lease‑up timelines, and turn costs. Underwrite income first, then sanity‑check cap rates by submarket; prioritize blocks with stable schools, off‑street parking, and low renovation exposure. Quick filter: avoid heavy rehabs, buy occupied but performing, and require PM to show a 90‑day marketing plan with photo‑proof updates.

  • Real Estate Agent · Columbus | Toledo · Member since 2019 · 608 posts · 768 votes
    11mo
    Quote from @Kevin Kreutzfeld:

    Hello Everyone! I’m based in Coastal South Florida where cap rates and insurance costs have gotten tough — plus hurricane risk doesn’t help. I’m originally from Ohio and looking to diversify into the Columbus/Dayton market.

    I’m targeting stabilized 4+ unit multifamily between $800k - $2M (no heavy rehabs) in Grandview Heights, 5th by Northwest, German Village, and Short North. My goal is a 6–8% cash-on-cash return with long-term appreciation. Perhaps if there are any investors here who are looking to exit a flip - I would consider! 

    Looking for recommendations on a good multifamily broker and property manager in Columbus, and any insight on submarkets you think are best for stable rent growth and long-term value.

    Appreciate any advice or connections — thanks in advance!

    Hey, welcome back to Ohio! Those areas you mentioned, Grandview, Short North, German Village are super solid but pricey. Most deals there are A/B class and already stabilized, so hitting 6–8% cash-on-cash is tough unless you find something undervalued and buy with personal cash (no loan, no fees, no interest).

    If you're open to more value, check out spots like Franklinton or Driving Park, still close to the action but better return potential.

  • Samuel DioufBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus & Cleveland, OH · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11mo

    Hey Kevin, Columbus, OH is a strong market to invest in! I started investing here after moving from Florida for the growing market. I spend all day sourcing deals now.

  • Remington LymanBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    11mo
    Quote from @Kevin Kreutzfeld:

    Hello Everyone! I’m based in Coastal South Florida where cap rates and insurance costs have gotten tough — plus hurricane risk doesn’t help. I’m originally from Ohio and looking to diversify into the Columbus/Dayton market.

    I’m targeting stabilized 4+ unit multifamily between $800k - $2M (no heavy rehabs) in Grandview Heights, 5th by Northwest, German Village, and Short North. My goal is a 6–8% cash-on-cash return with long-term appreciation. Perhaps if there are any investors here who are looking to exit a flip - I would consider! 

    Looking for recommendations on a good multifamily broker and property manager in Columbus, and any insight on submarkets you think are best for stable rent growth and long-term value.

    Appreciate any advice or connections — thanks in advance!


     Welcome to the market!

  • Juan YepesBusiness Member
    Lender · Miami, FL · Member since 2025 · 131 posts · 38 votes
    9mo

    Hi Kevin,

    Florida is a great market for real estate investment despite the challenges you mention but diversifying is a great idea and Ohio is a target state for many investors right now. Expanding your search to a few markets will help you find opportunities sooner. Texas and Georgia are also strong markets.

    Helm Mortgage Corp - Juan Yepes, Director5125 Reviews
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.