Advice for First Time Long Term Rental Investor

Advice for First Time Long Term Rental Investor

Member since 2024 · 7 posts · 9 votes

Hi everyone! My name is Justin, I'm looking for some advice from anyone out there who has experience in the long term rental game.

I am looking to pickup my first rental property in 2026, currently in the learning faze watching as many BiggerPockets / Real Estate Rookie Podcasts as humanly possible and analyzing deals for hours a day to learn markets. My main issue I'm currently facing is this: Is it "better" to get invested soon on a cheap property with solid cashflow (focusing on Slow BRRR) in a non ideal neighborhood (higher crime, less appreciation, etc) or wait longer while saving for a larger Down Payment to get something in a better neighborhood with maybe less cashflow.

I am currently looking at some cheap Southern / Midwest cities like Louisville KY, Indianapolis IN, Witchita KS. I am finding sub 100k Single Family deals in undesirable neighborhoods with 5-10% CoC returns as well as the opportunity for an easy cosmetic BRRR that are very enticing. Regardless I am planning on having a Property Management Company run the property as I live in CA.

My income is high but varies month to month, guaranteed low 6 figures Annually but some months I am making double my Monthly Income so my savings rate is high.

I figured I can buy multiple of these cashflowing, sub 100k homes next year and work my way up through 1031's in the future. My main concern is running into tenant issues.

Anyone have any pointers / advice? Would be very appreciated as I am just starting out and excited to invest and learn as much as possible!

Thanks!

7Reply
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Most Popular Reply

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

@Justin Alexander what assumptions are you basing your 5-10% CoC returns on?

This is IMPORTANT as there are MANY investors that rue the day they used the wrong metrics when buyng, because now their assumptions aren't being met.

Some copy & paste info below on this, DM me if you'd like to explore further:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How much do you know about Property Classes?

Recommend you spend some time learning about them, so you don’t mistakenly buy a property that will NEVER meet your expectations!

Why is Property Class so important for investors to understand and apply in their investing strategies?

Because the Property Class dictates the Class of the tenant pool that the property will attract.

The Tenant Class greatly impacts rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.

Both Property Class and Tenant Class will affect what type of contractors, handymen and property management companies you should target and be willing to deal with a property.

The Property Class will also impact the maintenance & renovations you do to, “Maintain to the Neighborhood”.

Why is that important?

Well, if you buy & renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what Tenant Class will actually rent it?

Or, if you put several Class D tenants in a Class A four-plex, what do you think will happen to the property?

So, if you fail to apply the correct assumptions to a property, your expectations won’t be met, and it may even be a financial disaster.

We use the following to rank Property Classes, in order of importance:

  • Property Tenant Pool: closely linked to location, but not always.
  • Property Location: closely linked to tenant pool, but not always.
  • Property Condition & Amenities: it’s important to, “Maintain to the Neighborhood.”

Key metrics for each Property Class:

Class A Properties:
Tenant Pool: Majority of FICO scores 680+, no convictions/evictions in last 7 years.
Tenant Default: 0-5% probability of eviction or early lease termination.
Section 8: Class A rents are too high and won’t be approved.
Vacancies: 5-10%, depending on market conditions.
Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.

Class B Properties:
Tenant Pool: Majority of FICO scores 620-680, some blemishes, no convictions/evictions in last 5 years.
Tenant Default
: 5-10% probability of eviction or early lease termination.
Vacancies
: 10-15%, depending on market conditions.
Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 1-3 years for positive cashflow, balanced amounts of relative rent & value appreciation.
Section 8: Class B rents are usually too high for the Section 8 program.

Class C Properties:
Tenant Pool: Majority of FICO scores 560-620, many blemishes, but should have no convictions/evictions in last 3 years. Verifying recent 2-years of rental history very important! Same for 2-years of job/income stability.
Tenant Default: 10-20% probability of eviction or early lease termination.
Section 8: Class C rents usually meet program requirements, proper screening still recommended.
Vacancies: 10-20%, depending on market conditions and tenant screening.
Cashflow vs Appreciation: Should cashflow immediately, at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

Class D Properties:
Tenant Pool: Majority of FICO scores under 560, little to no good tradelines, lots of collections & chargeoffs, but should have no convictions/evictions in last 12 months. Verifying last 2-years of rental history and income/employment extremely important to find the “best of the worst”.
Tenant Default: 20-30% probability of eviction or early lease termination.
Section 8: Class D rents meet program requirements, often challenges to pass Section 8 inspection.
Vacancies: 20%+, depending on market conditions and tenant screening.
Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, all cashflow with little, maybe even negative, relative rent & value appreciation.

Where did we get our FICO credit score information from?

Check out this chart:

FICO Score

Pct of Population

Default Probability

800 or more

13.00%

1.00%

750-799

27.00%

1.00%

700-749

18.00%

4.40%

650-699

15.00%

8.90%

600-649

12.00%

15.80%

550-599

8.00%

22.50%

500-549

5.00%

28.40%

Less than 499

2.00%

41.00%

Source: Fair Isaac Company

Make sure you understand the Class of properties you are looking at and the corresponding results to expect.

Metro Detroit has 132 cities, the City of Detroit 183 Neighborhoods, which we’re analyzing and classifying. Check out the map on our website where we’ve made this all easy to follow.

We can also share numerous examples of properties & portfolios we’ve assisted investors with!

DM us if you’d like to discuss this logical approach in greater detail!

Horror Stories from those that did NOT Understand What they were Buying:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1137397-baltimore-a-path-to-never-ending-pain

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/432/topics/1231840-sell-at-a-loss-or-rent-at-a-loss

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/311/topics/840134-memphis-turnkey-tenant-turnover-costs

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/963/topics/1195280-experience-of-oos-investing-in-cleveland-after-15-years

See this reply in the discussion

24 Replies

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  • Jason WrayPro Member
    Banker · Nationwide · Member since 2020 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11mo

    Justin,

    As a Banker I would advise checking out or getting into Indianapolis. There is a lot of opportunity especially on the outskirts of Carmel closer to Indianapolis where there is a lot of gentrification going on and a ton of ARV potential. The purchase to cash flo ratio is much higher as well and you can find a solid deals on to to four unit Multi's.

    Most of my California investors have been buying in IN, OH, TN, FL, NC, and a few more but Indy is a very Hot market.

    If you have any questions feel free to reach out check out my profile and sendend me an email. Be happy to go over best neighborhoods and how to look for the Maximum rents/ARV properties.

    • Justin AlexanderPro Member
      OP
      Member since 2024 · 7 posts · 9 votes
      11mo

      Thank you for the tips! I will keep your contact in my back pocket when I have a clear direction on what my first move will be

  • Arman AhmedPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 969 votes
    11mo

    @Justin Alexander

    If you’re open to the Midwest, you’ll find a lot of the same dynamics you’re describing—sub-100k homes with strong cashflow—but with a bit more stability depending on the neighborhood and local employer base. The tradeoff you’re weighing is classic: better cashflow in tougher areas vs. better appreciation and smoother management in stronger neighborhoods. Since you’re out of state and planning to use PM, leaning toward areas with more stable tenant bases usually makes your first experience smoother even if the cashflow looks a little lighter. Once you get a couple under your belt, you can always scale into higher-yield pockets or small multis. Starting with something that lets you sleep at night is rarely a bad move.

    • Justin AlexanderPro Member
      OP
      Member since 2024 · 7 posts · 9 votes
      11mo

      Thank you for your knowledge! I work in the stock market so I definitely understand the idea of doing a deal that will let me sleep through the night! Sounds like I really need to weigh the pros and cons of each. My thought process was also getting into a cheaper first property could be less stressful, even with the potential for tenant issues / turnover, due to the fact that the overall expenses are so cheap if anything were to happen I could cover it on my own.

  • MD/DC · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11mo

    It is a matter of preference but for a high W2 earner I’d recommend starting slow and steady in class A or possibly B neighborhoods. They won’t look as good on paper when considering cash flow but if bought correctly should provide an ongoing increase in equity, ease of resale and less tenant hassles. 

    • Justin AlexanderPro Member
      OP
      Member since 2024 · 7 posts · 9 votes
      11mo

      Makes total sense, I am actually 1099 Income but same logic applies. My long term plan is DCAing into rentals for buy and hold so I was leaning towards getting more properties at lower price points to even the DCA out but I appreciate hearing your input as well. Will have a lot to think about!


  • Real Estate Agent · Louisville, KY · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11mo

    Happy to jump on a call! 

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

    @Justin Alexander what assumptions are you basing your 5-10% CoC returns on?

    This is IMPORTANT as there are MANY investors that rue the day they used the wrong metrics when buyng, because now their assumptions aren't being met.

    Some copy & paste info below on this, DM me if you'd like to explore further:

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    How much do you know about Property Classes?

    Recommend you spend some time learning about them, so you don’t mistakenly buy a property that will NEVER meet your expectations!

    Why is Property Class so important for investors to understand and apply in their investing strategies?

    Because the Property Class dictates the Class of the tenant pool that the property will attract.

    The Tenant Class greatly impacts rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.

    Both Property Class and Tenant Class will affect what type of contractors, handymen and property management companies you should target and be willing to deal with a property.

    The Property Class will also impact the maintenance & renovations you do to, “Maintain to the Neighborhood”.

    Why is that important?

    Well, if you buy & renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what Tenant Class will actually rent it?

    Or, if you put several Class D tenants in a Class A four-plex, what do you think will happen to the property?

    So, if you fail to apply the correct assumptions to a property, your expectations won’t be met, and it may even be a financial disaster.

    We use the following to rank Property Classes, in order of importance:

    • Property Tenant Pool: closely linked to location, but not always.
    • Property Location: closely linked to tenant pool, but not always.
    • Property Condition & Amenities: it’s important to, “Maintain to the Neighborhood.”

    Key metrics for each Property Class:

    Class A Properties:
    Tenant Pool: Majority of FICO scores 680+, no convictions/evictions in last 7 years.
    Tenant Default: 0-5% probability of eviction or early lease termination.
    Section 8: Class A rents are too high and won’t be approved.
    Vacancies: 5-10%, depending on market conditions.
    Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.

    Class B Properties:
    Tenant Pool: Majority of FICO scores 620-680, some blemishes, no convictions/evictions in last 5 years.
    Tenant Default
    : 5-10% probability of eviction or early lease termination.
    Vacancies
    : 10-15%, depending on market conditions.
    Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 1-3 years for positive cashflow, balanced amounts of relative rent & value appreciation.
    Section 8: Class B rents are usually too high for the Section 8 program.

    Class C Properties:
    Tenant Pool: Majority of FICO scores 560-620, many blemishes, but should have no convictions/evictions in last 3 years. Verifying recent 2-years of rental history very important! Same for 2-years of job/income stability.
    Tenant Default: 10-20% probability of eviction or early lease termination.
    Section 8: Class C rents usually meet program requirements, proper screening still recommended.
    Vacancies: 10-20%, depending on market conditions and tenant screening.
    Cashflow vs Appreciation: Should cashflow immediately, at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

    Class D Properties:
    Tenant Pool: Majority of FICO scores under 560, little to no good tradelines, lots of collections & chargeoffs, but should have no convictions/evictions in last 12 months. Verifying last 2-years of rental history and income/employment extremely important to find the “best of the worst”.
    Tenant Default: 20-30% probability of eviction or early lease termination.
    Section 8: Class D rents meet program requirements, often challenges to pass Section 8 inspection.
    Vacancies: 20%+, depending on market conditions and tenant screening.
    Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, all cashflow with little, maybe even negative, relative rent & value appreciation.

    Where did we get our FICO credit score information from?

    Check out this chart:

    FICO Score

    Pct of Population

    Default Probability

    800 or more

    13.00%

    1.00%

    750-799

    27.00%

    1.00%

    700-749

    18.00%

    4.40%

    650-699

    15.00%

    8.90%

    600-649

    12.00%

    15.80%

    550-599

    8.00%

    22.50%

    500-549

    5.00%

    28.40%

    Less than 499

    2.00%

    41.00%

    Source: Fair Isaac Company

    Make sure you understand the Class of properties you are looking at and the corresponding results to expect.

    Metro Detroit has 132 cities, the City of Detroit 183 Neighborhoods, which we’re analyzing and classifying. Check out the map on our website where we’ve made this all easy to follow.

    We can also share numerous examples of properties & portfolios we’ve assisted investors with!

    DM us if you’d like to discuss this logical approach in greater detail!

    Horror Stories from those that did NOT Understand What they were Buying:

    https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1137397-baltimore-a-path-to-never-ending-pain

    https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/432/topics/1231840-sell-at-a-loss-or-rent-at-a-loss

    https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/311/topics/840134-memphis-turnkey-tenant-turnover-costs

    https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/963/topics/1195280-experience-of-oos-investing-in-cleveland-after-15-years

  • Alfath AhmedBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11mo
    Quote from @Justin Alexander:

    Hi everyone! My name is Justin, I'm looking for some advice from anyone out there who has experience in the long term rental game.

    I am looking to pickup my first rental property in 2026, currently in the learning faze watching as many BiggerPockets / Real Estate Rookie Podcasts as humanly possible and analyzing deals for hours a day to learn markets. My main issue I'm currently facing is this: Is it "better" to get invested soon on a cheap property with solid cashflow (focusing on Slow BRRR) in a non ideal neighborhood (higher crime, less appreciation, etc) or wait longer while saving for a larger Down Payment to get something in a better neighborhood with maybe less cashflow.

    I am currently looking at some cheap Southern / Midwest cities like Louisville KY, Indianapolis IN, Witchita KS. I am finding sub 100k Single Family deals in undesirable neighborhoods with 5-10% CoC returns as well as the opportunity for an easy cosmetic BRRR that are very enticing. Regardless I am planning on having a Property Management Company run the property as I live in CA.

    My income is high but varies month to month, guaranteed low 6 figures Annually but some months I am making double my Monthly Income so my savings rate is high.

    I figured I can buy multiple of these cashflowing, sub 100k homes next year and work my way up through 1031's in the future. My main concern is running into tenant issues.

    Anyone have any pointers / advice? Would be very appreciated as I am just starting out and excited to invest and learn as much as possible!

    Thanks!


    Good work on getting started. I've got 28 units here in my market. I'd choose a good market that is landlord friendly, has a ton of tech development going on, and find a good investor agent that can send you offmarket deals. 

    Typically - the agents will set you up with deals, contractors, lenders, and property managers. You will buy deals at 75% ARV.

  • Min ZhangBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11mo

    Justin, sounds like you’re putting in the right kind of reps already! What helped me early on was getting clear on what I personally wanted to deal with. Cheaper properties in rougher areas can absolutely hit the numbers, but they also come with more hands on stuff like turnover, maintenance surprises, and tenant management. Going for a better area usually means slower cashflow but a smoother ownership experience. Since you’re in CA and planning on using PMs, think about how much noise  you’re comfortable with while learning the ropes. There’s nothing wrong with starting small to get experience under your belt, just make sure the neighborhood and tenant profile fit the level of involvement you want. Keep running your numbers and comparing scenarios since you’re already approaching it the right way.

  • Kerlous TadresBusiness Member
    Realtor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11mo

    Hey @Justin Alexander, I'd go for a solid, working-class neighborhood over the really cheap high-crime stuff, even if the cash flow is a little lower. It's way easier to manage from out of state and way more predictable long-term. Start with one stable BRRRR-type deal in a decent area, let your PM run it for a year, then decide if you want to scale into the cheaper stuff or move up into better neighborhoods.

    Kerlous Tadres | Reafco Real Estate542 Reviews
  • Realtor · Boulder, CO · Member since 2016 · 3k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    11mo

    I would stay far, far away from sub 100k rentals unless you live down the street, that's all you can afford, and you are an expert at operating low income rentals and all that comes along with it. Don't underestimate the risk of owning in this asset class, compounded by owning in this asset class remotely.  

    There is no such thing as an "easy cosmetic BRRR" on a sub 100k property. You will instead find years worth of deferred maintenance with this type of property, and it will still be worth $100k afterward because it will still be in a bad location. That's why smart investors avoid bad locations. Also however you are calculating 5-10% CoC returns on these $100k properties is flawed math, I promise you. Whatever you are budgeting for capex, vacancy/loss, turnover, property management and tenant issues is not nearly enough. Do you think the hundreds of local investors in these markets just overlooked all of these sweet deals? These properties are priced how they are for a reason.

     If you can afford quality properties close to where you live, then do that instead. You will have a much better chance of success. The 3 golden rules of real estate investing are Location, Location and Location. Buy only class A or B properties in good locations or else you can make way more money with much less risk and headaches just sticking with stocks. $100k properties in bad locations are the stock market equivalent of penny stocks. They are cheap for a reason. Only invest what you can afford to lose. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Member since 2022 · 2 posts · 2 votes
    11mo

    Hey Justin, welcome to the rabbit hole haha. I was in your exact spot a few years back - watching every BP podcast, analyzing deals until 2am.

    On the cheap property vs nicer neighborhood thing - I'd honestly push you toward waiting a bit longer and going B-class/ C-class. I know those sub-100k deals in rougher areas look amazing on paper (trust me, I ran those numbers a hundred times too), but here's what I learned the hard way:

    The spreadsheet lies. That 8% CoC turns into 2% real fast when your PM is charging 12% because nobody wants to manage D-class, tenants turn over every year, and you're getting calls about stuff that wasn't in your inspection. And doing all that from CA? It could become a headache very quickly.

    With your income, I'd stack cash for another 6-12 months and grab something in the $150-180k range in Indy or Louisville. Less cash flow on paper but tenants actually stay, fewer surprises, and way easier to sell later when you want to 1031 into something bigger.

    One thing that helped me a lot - stop trusting Zillow rent estimates. Those markets vary block by block. I usually just plug in a zip code into smartrentalinvestor.com and it analyzes all the properties in that area for me, shows me the best performers by cash flow and cap rate. Way faster than running numbers one by one on a spreadsheet. Might help you compare those Louisville vs Indy neighborhoods you're looking at.

    You're doing everything right though. Just don't let the urge to "get started" push you into a deal that looks good but isn't. The right deal is worth waiting for.

    Good luck in your search, feel free to DM if you want to bounce any deals off someone

  • Nicholas L.Pro Member
    Flipper/Rehabber · Pittsburgh · Member since 2018 · 6k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    11mo

    @Justin Alexander

    quick reactions and questions.

    -can you start with a house hack instead?  not everyone can depending on family and lifestyle.  but it's the best way to get started.  yes, CA is expensive.  why?  demand.

    -as @Steve K. mentioned, many investors from HCOL areas like CA buy in the midwest solely based on price and then get absolutely crushed by deferred maintenance.  @Drew Sygit linked to some of the crushings.  what will you do differently than they did?

    -there's no cash flow right now in LTRs in the short term - none, zero, nada. not in California, and not in Cleveland.  not on a 100K property, and not on a $1M property.  it typically takes several years to get a property stabilized, pay yourself back for your closing costs, get some rent increases, etc. YEARS. anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something.

    -there's no such thing as an easy cosmetic BRRRR. maybe there was 6-12 years ago but not now.

    -if you truly "can't" invest locally I'd pick a closer market even if higher cost.  there's just no substitute from being closer and at least somewhat hands-on.  folks who try to do everything form Internet tend to get the most crushed.

    i hope this helps. i would be happy to connect further and have nothing to sell. i just completed a modest BRRRR myself. it was difficult. and i was 25 minutes away.

    • Alan AsriantsBusiness Member
      Real Estate Agent · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
      10mo
      Quote from @Nicholas L.:

      @Justin Alexander

      quick reactions and questions.

      -can you start with a house hack instead?  not everyone can depending on family and lifestyle.  but it's the best way to get started.  yes, CA is expensive.  why?  demand.

      -as @Steve K. mentioned, many investors from HCOL areas like CA buy in the midwest solely based on price and then get absolutely crushed by deferred maintenance.  @Drew Sygit linked to some of the crushings.  what will you do differently than they did?

      -there's no cash flow right now in LTRs in the short term - none, zero, nada. not in California, and not in Cleveland.  not on a 100K property, and not on a $1M property.  it typically takes several years to get a property stabilized, pay yourself back for your closing costs, get some rent increases, etc. YEARS. anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something.

      -there's no such thing as an easy cosmetic BRRRR. maybe there was 6-12 years ago but not now.

      -if you truly "can't" invest locally I'd pick a closer market even if higher cost.  there's just no substitute from being closer and at least somewhat hands-on.  folks who try to do everything form Internet tend to get the most crushed.

      i hope this helps. i would be happy to connect further and have nothing to sell. i just completed a modest BRRRR myself. it was difficult. and i was 25 minutes away.


      Agreed here - no such thing as easy BRRRR. Luck can a factor but you can also win the lottery.

      Alan Asriants - New Century Real Estate 592 Reviews
      View Page
  • Alan AsriantsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10mo

    I never understood the value in putting your hard-earned money into buying a risky asset, spending tens of thousands on renovations, carrying 80%+ LTV debt, and knowing that you will likely be dealing with evictions, maintenance issues, repairs, constant damage, and general abuse to the property. On top of all this risk, you're also eliminating the number one wealth-building factor: appreciation.

    Cash flow is great, but once you factor in vacancies and nonpayment of rent, that cash flow can quickly dwindle down to almost nothing—and after a few years, your property may have barely appreciated.

    I have a client who sold five of his rental properties in riskier areas that he had rented out through Section 8. Even through the COVID boom, when values skyrocketed, he ended up netting only around $20K total after all expenses across all five properties. Had he kept them vacant the entire time to avoid the headaches of being a landlord, he would have made more money on them. And if he had taken the same capital and used it to purchase one or two homes in solid neighborhoods—his returns could have doubled.

    You would be shocked at how quickly someone can destroy a property. Putting the wrong people into a home is the number-one recipe for deferred maintenance and poor property condition.

    I'm currently purchasing a duplex where one unit hasn’t been renovated in over 20 years, yet is in almost pristine condition. Yes, some things are beginning to show signs of wear, but that is normal after two decades of use—and honestly, I’m surprised it’s held up this well. The upstairs unit, however, was fully renovated with high-quality finishes, and after only a couple years of occupancy, it is completely destroyed. It’s sad to see such nice work get abused and neglected.

    So my recommendation is this: always buy in the best neighborhood possible, place the best tenants you can, don’t over-gouge the rents, and aim to own a passive investment rather than an active business. Most businesses fail, but safe investments usually work out long-term.

    Where you buy determines who you rent to.

    Best of luck!

    Alan Asriants - New Century Real Estate 592 Reviews
    View Page
  • Investor · Richmond, VA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    10mo

    @Justin Alexander,

    If you're unsure of which market, do not undervalue school districts when comparing.  A good school district will keep families there, whereas if it's a bad one, families will more open to move, especially if rent goes up.   When comparing areas, put extra emphasis on school district-- because trust me, it matters!   You want quality tenants to make it a home. It matters-- and it will reflect in your turnover and experience as a landlord.   Schools matter!

    Also, get at least 3-bedroom houses.    You want FAMILIES, not a  single person  who can easily move. We have very minimal turnover  in the 3bds,  compared to tons of turnover in the 1bedroom apartments.  I'm getting rid of the 1bds now, because of all the turnover in 1bd units, it's not worth it.   I hate 1bd units, and also-- no one wants a 1bd, even people who should just be in a 1bd want a 2nd  room for an office or spare room. 

    Be careful with cheap properties,  and the alure of the returns. I'd really recommend a B/C+ area to start,  because if you pick a D area, it will kill your excitement as an investor quickly.   Much better to start slow and get the feel of it in a nicer area/house, then to jump in the deep end and realize all the people were right and it's actually very cash intensive business.

  • Eric FernwoodBusiness Member
    Realtor · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10mo

    Hello @Justin Alexander,

    Whether you should buy a lower-cost property now or save for a better one later depends on your goal. If you just want to own a rental and aren’t concerned about income reliability or long-term financial performance, a lowest-cost property should be fine.

    If your goal is long-term financial independence, the city you choose is the most important factor. Your rental income must grow faster than inflation—not just cover your living expenses today, but maintain your lifestyle 10, 20, and 30 years from now. If rents don’t outpace inflation, your purchasing power shrinks, and you’ll be forced to return to work. Rent growth is defined by the city, not the property.

    Here are the city characteristics I would require:

    • A metro population above 1M
    • Strong, sustained population growth (the driver of price and rent increases)
    • Low crime — high crimes do not attract jobs or people. Avoid cities on this list: CBS: The 50 Most Dangerous Cities in America
    • No rent control
    • Strong personal income growth—you cannot increase rents if personal incomes aren't increasing.
    • Low property taxes and insurance (every overhead dollar reduces your future income)

    Income reliability is the next requirement. You need tenants who stay for many years and pay on time. The fastest way to identify the right properties is to interview multiple property managers. Ask each one: “What would you buy if your goal were to attract tenants who stay long-term and pay rent on schedule?”

    In summary: the city determines your rental’s financial performance; the tenant segment determines how reliable that income will be. The most important investment decision is the city, not the property.

    FERNWOOD Team, KW VIP Realty520 Reviews
  • Member since 2025 · 12 posts · 3 votes
    10mo

    Hey Justin, welcome!

    You're asking all the right questions at the right time. I work with new long-term rental investors and help them understand DSCR requirements, rental underwriting basics, and the difference between buying "cheap for cashflow" vs "better area for long-term appreciation."

    If you ever want help running numbers, evaluating a potential market, or comparing how lenders look at different deal types, feel free to reach out.

    Louisville, Indy, and Wichita all have pockets that can hit that 5–10% CoC you're seeing, especially under 100k, so you're definitely on the right track with your research.

    Happy to help however I can as you get ready for your first purchase.

  • Wale LawalBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    10mo

    @Justin Alexander

    Both options can work, in my experience, but the less expensive properties in less desirable areas may appear fantastic on paper, but they typically have more tenant problems and turnover. Stronger neighborhoods, on the other hand, are more expensive initially but typically yield more stable tenants and better long term appreciation. Also as you are out of state and you are just starting out, even though the cash flow is lower, if I were in your position, I would choose better locations.

    Good luck!

  • Specialist · Member since 2025 · 483 posts · 270 votes
    10mo

    Justin, you're doing the right work—learning, underwriting, and being honest about tradeoffs. Two tips: aim for solid C to B neighborhoods even if cash flow is a touch lower to reduce headaches, and underwrite deals to work at conservative rent and expense assumptions so DSCR stays healthy when you refi.

    Given your income swings, do you prefer a steadier, lower‑risk starter in a better area, or are you willing to take on a rougher block if the numbers pop—what’s your current buy box?

  • Memphis, TN · Member since 2024 · 180 posts · 223 votes
    10mo

    Hey @Justin Alexander

    This is a great question! While I can't speak for those other markets, I will tell you that we recommend to the investors we work with here in Memphis that it's been to spend a little bit more and have slightly less cash flow if you can be in an area where you've got a more solid tenant base. Better tenants means longer occupancy, less vacancies, and if you're in a nicer neighborhood, hopefully you've picked an area that appreciates too. 

    Best of luck!

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