How to do Creative Financing when you already have capital

New to Real Estate · Santa Cruz, CA · Member since 2020 · 20 posts · 17 votes

Hi everyone! 👋

My husband and I finally took the leap and are ready to dive into real estate investing seriously. (For crying out loud..I've been on BP since 2020 and haven't made any legitimare RE move...until recently). We currently live in California, but we’re visiting Dayton, OH to really get to know the area—we’re even considering staying for a gain hands-on experience.

My husband is a numbers-focused entrepreneur who bootstrapped his business in a challenging industry and kept it afloat, (he definitley has grit), while I’m a nurse who recently stepped away from my job to fully commit to building a real estate business. (BP podcast episode 14 was really inspiring..go check it out if you haven't already).

We already have cash ready, but like many new investors, our bottleneck is navigating bank requirements. As you may have already heard from RE investor gurus and even a simple Google search would say that paying cash isn’t the most strategic move. That said, we do want to leverage our funds, explore creative financing, and partner with other investors (of course, only if it's a good match) to grow faster and acquire more properties.

We’d love to connect with others who have experience in this market—or just like-minded people most likely like you who are open to sharing advice, recommendations, or even partnering on deals. If you have a duplex or even 5-unit+ property or ideas on navigating these financing bottlenecks, we’d be thrilled to hear from you.

For those of you investing in Dayton or similar markets, what’s your best tip for overcoming bank hurdles while still building momentum as a new investor?

Looking forward to connecting and learning from this community!

Warm regards,

8 Reply

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Ellis San Jose

Specialist · Westlake Village, CA · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 781 votes

8mo

I'm in California but I don't buy out of state anymore after moving all assets closer to home. Looking back & knowing what I know now, I'm confident that I could uncover opportunities for creative & seller financing which navigates the traditional bank financing obstacles. By deep diving into areas that have longer days on market you will find more sellers that will consider structured financing.

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Ellis San Jose
Specialist · Westlake Village, CA · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 781 votes
8mo
I'm in California but I don't buy out of state anymore after moving all assets closer to home. Looking back & knowing what I know now, I'm confident that I could uncover opportunities for creative & seller financing which navigates the traditional bank financing obstacles. By deep diving into areas that have longer days on market you will find more sellers that will consider structured financing.
1 Reply
- Diane F.
  OP
  New to Real Estate · Santa Cruz, CA · Member since 2020 · 20 posts · 17 votes
  8mo
  Quote from @Ellis San Jose:
  
  I'm in California but I don't buy out of state anymore after moving all assets closer to home. Looking back & knowing what I know now, I'm confident that I could uncover opportunities for creative & seller financing which navigates the traditional bank financing obstacles. By deep diving into areas that have longer days on market you will find more sellers that will consider structured financing.
  Hey Ellis! Thank you for sharing your experience. This is something we’re keeping in mind as we keep digging.
  I totally agree. We’re seeing the same thing and definitely view longer days on market as leverage for more creative conversations. Our agent is a friend and he’s solid, but in many cases the properties that have been sitting are either close to dilapidated or the sellers won’t allow showings unless there’s already a contract in place with contingencies.
  
  Glad to know that youre at a point where you dont have to invest out of state anymore. :)
  
  1 Reply
- Ellis San Jose
  Specialist · Westlake Village, CA · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 781 votes
  8mo
  Quote from @Diane F.:
  
  Quote from @Ellis San Jose:
  
  I'm in California but I don't buy out of state anymore after moving all assets closer to home. Looking back & knowing what I know now, I'm confident that I could uncover opportunities for creative & seller financing which navigates the traditional bank financing obstacles. By deep diving into areas that have longer days on market you will find more sellers that will consider structured financing.
  Hey Ellis! Thank you for sharing your experience. This is something we’re keeping in mind as we keep digging.
  I totally agree. We’re seeing the same thing and definitely view longer days on market as leverage for more creative conversations. Our agent is a friend and he’s solid, but in many cases the properties that have been sitting are either close to dilapidated or the sellers won’t allow showings unless there’s already a contract in place with contingencies.
  
  Glad to know that youre at a point where you dont have to invest out of state anymore. :)
  
  If you want to be more proactive in finding unlisted properties. Get a defaulted property tax list of homes in your target acquisition area & filter out those that need to sell. Best of luck
  0 Reply
Ken M.
Investor · Get yourself trained before doing something inadvisable. · Member since 2024 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
8mo
Quote from @Diane F.:

Hi everyone! 👋
My husband and I finally took the leap and are ready to dive into real estate investing seriously. (For crying out loud..I've been on BP since 2020 and haven't made any legitimare RE move...until recently). We currently live in California, but we’re visiting Dayton, OH to really get to know the area—we’re even considering staying for a gain hands-on experience.
My husband is a numbers-focused entrepreneur who bootstrapped his business in a challenging industry and kept it afloat, (he definitley has grit), while I’m a nurse who recently stepped away from my job to fully commit to building a real estate business. (BP podcast episode 14 was really inspiring..go check it out if you haven't already).
We already have cash ready, but like many new investors, our bottleneck is navigating bank requirements. As you may have already heard from RE investor gurus and even a simple Google search would say that paying cash isn’t the most strategic move. That said, we do want to leverage our funds, explore creative financing, and partner with other investors (of course, only if it's a good match) to grow faster and acquire more properties.
We’d love to connect with others who have experience in this market—or just like-minded people most likely like you who are open to sharing advice, recommendations, or even partnering on deals. If you have a duplex or even 5-unit+ property or ideas on navigating these financing bottlenecks, we’d be thrilled to hear from you.
For those of you investing in Dayton or similar markets, what’s your best tip for overcoming bank hurdles while still building momentum as a new investor?
Looking forward to connecting and learning from this community!
Warm regards,
D
I've only used creative finance in my 30 year career. I've found Phoenix to have plenty of profit and creative financing opportunities.
https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/517/topics/1275108-here...
There are some serious reason why I'm picky. One, it keeps you honest about the transaction. Another point is to live close to your investments. It keeps you honest about your transactions. And, I personally wouldn't invest in a market where prices aren't growing along with the country average. I like my money to make money. Don't be in the position 10 years from from now that you're saying "If only We'd" . . . unless you like Dayton, then that's the place to be.
1 Reply
- Diane F.
  OP
  New to Real Estate · Santa Cruz, CA · Member since 2020 · 20 posts · 17 votes
  8mo
  Quote from @Ken M.:
  
  Quote from @Diane F.:
  
  Hi everyone! 👋
  My husband and I finally took the leap and are ready to dive into real estate investing seriously. (For crying out loud..I've been on BP since 2020 and haven't made any legitimare RE move...until recently). We currently live in California, but we’re visiting Dayton, OH to really get to know the area—we’re even considering staying for a gain hands-on experience.
  My husband is a numbers-focused entrepreneur who bootstrapped his business in a challenging industry and kept it afloat, (he definitley has grit), while I’m a nurse who recently stepped away from my job to fully commit to building a real estate business. (BP podcast episode 14 was really inspiring..go check it out if you haven't already).
  We already have cash ready, but like many new investors, our bottleneck is navigating bank requirements. As you may have already heard from RE investor gurus and even a simple Google search would say that paying cash isn’t the most strategic move. That said, we do want to leverage our funds, explore creative financing, and partner with other investors (of course, only if it's a good match) to grow faster and acquire more properties.
  We’d love to connect with others who have experience in this market—or just like-minded people most likely like you who are open to sharing advice, recommendations, or even partnering on deals. If you have a duplex or even 5-unit+ property or ideas on navigating these financing bottlenecks, we’d be thrilled to hear from you.
  For those of you investing in Dayton or similar markets, what’s your best tip for overcoming bank hurdles while still building momentum as a new investor?
  Looking forward to connecting and learning from this community!
  Warm regards,
  D
  I've only used creative finance in my 30 year career. I've found Phoenix to have plenty of profit and creative financing opportunities.
  https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/517/topics/1275108-here...
  There are some serious reason why I'm picky. One, it keeps you honest about the transaction. Another point is to live close to your investments. It keeps you honest about your transactions. And, I personally wouldn't invest in a market where prices aren't growing along with the country average. I like my money to make money. Don't be in the position 10 years from from now that you're saying "If only We'd" . . . unless you like Dayton, then that's the place to be.
  Hi Ken! Thank you for the link, very helpful. I agree with you on so many levels. Dayton honestly wouldn’t have been on our radar either because of appreciation and safety concerns. The main reason we’re considering it is that it’s relatively close (that is not expensive) to my husband’s family, so we have more built-in support there. This would be our first property and we may even use one unit as storage if we don’t end up living in it.
  Your points about creative financing, staying close to your investments, and being selective about markets really resonate. We’re trying to be thoughtful with this first step and balance the numbers with practicality, and your insights definitely help shape how we’re thinking about it.
  0 Reply
Arman AhmedPro Member
Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 923 votes
8mo
@Diane F.
Diane, you’re actually in a strong spot. In Dayton, having cash gives you leverage, not pressure to deploy it all at once. Many investors use cash to win deals quickly, then refinance or structure seller-friendly terms once the property is stabilized, which helps bypass early bank friction. Being on the ground, learning the neighborhoods, and talking directly with local owners will open more doors than forcing a loan too early. Momentum here usually comes from relationships first, financing second.

[email protected]614-418-6081
0 Reply
- Diane F.
  OP
  New to Real Estate · Santa Cruz, CA · Member since 2020 · 20 posts · 17 votes
  8mo
  Quote from @Arman Ahmed:
  
  @Diane F.
  Diane, you’re actually in a strong spot. In Dayton, having cash gives you leverage, not pressure to deploy it all at once. Many investors use cash to win deals quickly, then refinance or structure seller-friendly terms once the property is stabilized, which helps bypass early bank friction. Being on the ground, learning the neighborhoods, and talking directly with local owners will open more doors than forcing a loan too early. Momentum here usually comes from relationships first, financing second.
  
  Hey Arman!
  I’m so glad to hear from a local, thank you for taking the time to respond. I couldn’t agree with you more that real estate is very much a people business and that relationships are key.
  
  We actually flew in right before the snowstorm that’s happening now. I’m definitely not equipped for this weather, but I’m kind of loving it. I literally made snow angels outside. Being here in person and getting a feel for the neighborhoods has made a huge impact on our decision making, especially since we’re considering living here for a bit while we get this first investment going.
  
  Your point about cash being leverage here really resonates. One concern I do have though, as another comment here mentioned, is that refinancing may not be the best approach for a next purchase if appreciation is limited in Dayton. That makes me wonder if something like a HELOC might be a better option down the line instead. Either way, being on the ground, learning the neighborhoods, and building relationships first feels like the right foundation. Thanks again, this was really helpful and encouraging.
  0 Reply
Nicholas L.Pro Member
Flipper/Rehabber · Pittsburgh · Member since 2018 · 6k+ posts · 5k+ votes
8mo
@Diane F.
hello. it's great that you will be going to Dayton to get started. most OOS investors don't seem to be able or willing to do that, and just want to go on Zillow and pick a random property. that is generally high risk.
i also want to point out that not qualifying for conventional bank financing doesn't mean you have to do anything 'creative' or not involving lenders at all. you should still be able to qualify for DSCR loans.
i'd be happy to connect further and answer any questions you have. i have nothing to sell and don't invest in Dayton.
0 Reply
- Diane F.
  OP
  New to Real Estate · Santa Cruz, CA · Member since 2020 · 20 posts · 17 votes
  8mo
  Quote from @Nicholas L.:
  
  @Diane F.
  hello. it's great that you will be going to Dayton to get started. most OOS investors don't seem to be able or willing to do that, and just want to go on Zillow and pick a random property. that is generally high risk.
  i also want to point out that not qualifying for conventional bank financing doesn't mean you have to do anything 'creative' or not involving lenders at all. you should still be able to qualify for DSCR loans.
  i'd be happy to connect further and answer any questions you have. i have nothing to sell and don't invest in Dayton.
  
  Hi Nicholas! Thank you so much for this, I really appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective. For this first investment, I do want to be a bit more hands on. Hopefully down the road I’ll learn how to invest remotely with more ease, but being here in person right now has already made a big difference. I actually came across a pocket listing just by physically being here. It came up randomly through a listing agent who happened to be at the property we were there to see, even though we weren’t scheduled to meet with them at all. That really reinforced how valuable it is to be on the ground.
  DSCR loans are definitely high on our radar. One lender did mention that we'd need a primary residence to qualify, though I'm realizing that may vary by lender and structure. We intentionally chose to rent in California because it's been less hassle and more economical for the lifestyle we were living, but we're ready to make a shift now. This feels like the right time to take a bigger leap, even if it means changing our lifestyle for a while, with the long term goal of building a solid portfolio.
  I really appreciate your openness and the offer to connect further. It’s reassuring to hear thoughtful input from someone who isn’t trying to sell anything and is simply willing to share knowledge. :)
  0 Reply
Kerlous TadresBusiness Member
Realtor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
8mo
@Diane F., I'd recommend starting with a local portfolio lender or DSCR lender in Dayton since they care more about the property's rent than your W-2, and use your cash as the down payment (not all-cash) to get your first duplex closed. From my experience, once you have one performing rental and solid reserves, financing gets way easier and you can scale faster.
[email protected]614-490-1163
Kerlous Tadres | Reafco Real Estate540 Reviews
Website View Page
0 Reply
- Diane F.
  OP
  New to Real Estate · Santa Cruz, CA · Member since 2020 · 20 posts · 17 votes
  8mo
  Quote from @Kerlous Tadres:
  
  @Diane F., I'd recommend starting with a local portfolio lender or DSCR lender in Dayton since they care more about the property's rent than your W-2, and use your cash as the down payment (not all-cash) to get your first duplex closed. From my experience, once you have one performing rental and solid reserves, financing gets way easier and you can scale faster.
  
  Hi Kerlous!
  Thank you, you’re right. We’re leaning toward something like this either on our second purchase or possibly alongside the first, since we were told we need to establish a primary residence first. We’re still sorting through how best to structure it all.
  
  Do you have any thoughts on buying our primary in cash first, then leveraging that and using a HELOC to move into a DSCR loan for the next property? We're trying to be intentional with the order of operations, and any recommendations or insights from your experience would be greatly appreciated.
  1 Reply
Alfath AhmedBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
8mo
Quote from @Diane F.:

Hi everyone! 👋
My husband and I finally took the leap and are ready to dive into real estate investing seriously. (For crying out loud..I've been on BP since 2020 and haven't made any legitimare RE move...until recently). We currently live in California, but we’re visiting Dayton, OH to really get to know the area—we’re even considering staying for a gain hands-on experience.
My husband is a numbers-focused entrepreneur who bootstrapped his business in a challenging industry and kept it afloat, (he definitley has grit), while I’m a nurse who recently stepped away from my job to fully commit to building a real estate business. (BP podcast episode 14 was really inspiring..go check it out if you haven't already).
We already have cash ready, but like many new investors, our bottleneck is navigating bank requirements. As you may have already heard from RE investor gurus and even a simple Google search would say that paying cash isn’t the most strategic move. That said, we do want to leverage our funds, explore creative financing, and partner with other investors (of course, only if it's a good match) to grow faster and acquire more properties.
We’d love to connect with others who have experience in this market—or just like-minded people most likely like you who are open to sharing advice, recommendations, or even partnering on deals. If you have a duplex or even 5-unit+ property or ideas on navigating these financing bottlenecks, we’d be thrilled to hear from you.
For those of you investing in Dayton or similar markets, what’s your best tip for overcoming bank hurdles while still building momentum as a new investor?
Looking forward to connecting and learning from this community!
Warm regards,
D

You guys are doing the right thing by visiting the market you are investing in. I own student housing in dayton and it does very well for me.
Any particular reason you guys chose dayton over other cities in colombus?
[email protected]614-802-5698
ReafCo | Ahmed Group 530 Reviews
Website View Page
0 Reply
- Diane F.
  OP
  New to Real Estate · Santa Cruz, CA · Member since 2020 · 20 posts · 17 votes
  8mo
  Quote from @Alfath Ahmed:
  
  Quote from @Diane F.:
  
  Hi everyone! 👋
  My husband and I finally took the leap and are ready to dive into real estate investing seriously. (For crying out loud..I've been on BP since 2020 and haven't made any legitimare RE move...until recently). We currently live in California, but we’re visiting Dayton, OH to really get to know the area—we’re even considering staying for a gain hands-on experience.
  My husband is a numbers-focused entrepreneur who bootstrapped his business in a challenging industry and kept it afloat, (he definitley has grit), while I’m a nurse who recently stepped away from my job to fully commit to building a real estate business. (BP podcast episode 14 was really inspiring..go check it out if you haven't already).
  We already have cash ready, but like many new investors, our bottleneck is navigating bank requirements. As you may have already heard from RE investor gurus and even a simple Google search would say that paying cash isn’t the most strategic move. That said, we do want to leverage our funds, explore creative financing, and partner with other investors (of course, only if it's a good match) to grow faster and acquire more properties.
  We’d love to connect with others who have experience in this market—or just like-minded people most likely like you who are open to sharing advice, recommendations, or even partnering on deals. If you have a duplex or even 5-unit+ property or ideas on navigating these financing bottlenecks, we’d be thrilled to hear from you.
  For those of you investing in Dayton or similar markets, what’s your best tip for overcoming bank hurdles while still building momentum as a new investor?
  Looking forward to connecting and learning from this community!
  Warm regards,
  D
  
  You guys are doing the right thing by visiting the market you are investing in. I own student housing in dayton and it does very well for me.
  Any particular reason you guys chose dayton over other cities in colombus?
  
  Hi Alfath! That’s great to hear that your student housing is doing so well. I was actually looking at Columbus as well, but Dayton is only about 30 minutes from my husband’s family, which is really the main reason we’re considering this move. We really want to be close so we can visit easily, especially with his mom’s health. Columbus is about an hour away, and Dayton also has a much more affordable starting point, which makes it easier for us as first-time investors.
  I completely agree that visiting the market in person is so important. Being on the ground has already given us a much better feel for the neighborhoods and the opportunities here. Are there are any areas you’d recommend and if there’s anything you’ve learned that makes managing tenants easier in Dayton? So many boarded houses, then huge, well maintained houses on the next street. Safety is definitely one thing that I think about especially since we might be living here too.
  
  1 Reply
- Alfath AhmedBusiness Member
  Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
  8mo
  Quote from @Diane F.:
  
  Quote from @Alfath Ahmed:
  
  Quote from @Diane F.:
  
  Hi everyone! 👋
  My husband and I finally took the leap and are ready to dive into real estate investing seriously. (For crying out loud..I've been on BP since 2020 and haven't made any legitimare RE move...until recently). We currently live in California, but we’re visiting Dayton, OH to really get to know the area—we’re even considering staying for a gain hands-on experience.
  My husband is a numbers-focused entrepreneur who bootstrapped his business in a challenging industry and kept it afloat, (he definitley has grit), while I’m a nurse who recently stepped away from my job to fully commit to building a real estate business. (BP podcast episode 14 was really inspiring..go check it out if you haven't already).
  We already have cash ready, but like many new investors, our bottleneck is navigating bank requirements. As you may have already heard from RE investor gurus and even a simple Google search would say that paying cash isn’t the most strategic move. That said, we do want to leverage our funds, explore creative financing, and partner with other investors (of course, only if it's a good match) to grow faster and acquire more properties.
  We’d love to connect with others who have experience in this market—or just like-minded people most likely like you who are open to sharing advice, recommendations, or even partnering on deals. If you have a duplex or even 5-unit+ property or ideas on navigating these financing bottlenecks, we’d be thrilled to hear from you.
  For those of you investing in Dayton or similar markets, what’s your best tip for overcoming bank hurdles while still building momentum as a new investor?
  Looking forward to connecting and learning from this community!
  Warm regards,
  D
  
  You guys are doing the right thing by visiting the market you are investing in. I own student housing in dayton and it does very well for me.
  Any particular reason you guys chose dayton over other cities in colombus?
  
  Hi Alfath! That’s great to hear that your student housing is doing so well. I was actually looking at Columbus as well, but Dayton is only about 30 minutes from my husband’s family, which is really the main reason we’re considering this move. We really want to be close so we can visit easily, especially with his mom’s health. Columbus is about an hour away, and Dayton also has a much more affordable starting point, which makes it easier for us as first-time investors.
  I completely agree that visiting the market in person is so important. Being on the ground has already given us a much better feel for the neighborhoods and the opportunities here. Are there are any areas you’d recommend and if there’s anything you’ve learned that makes managing tenants easier in Dayton? So many boarded houses, then huge, well maintained houses on the next street. Safety is definitely one thing that I think about especially since we might be living here too.
  
  I would say have a very quality pm. That will make a huge difference. Avoid many parts of the west side (there are boarded up homes there).
  I put together a neighborhood graded map along with some other people in my office that outlines the shape of Dayton. Happy to share that with you.
  [email protected]614-802-5698
  ReafCo | Ahmed Group 530 Reviews
  Website View Page
  0 Reply
- Diane F.
  OP
  New to Real Estate · Santa Cruz, CA · Member since 2020 · 20 posts · 17 votes
  8mo
  Quote from @Alfath Ahmed:
  
  Quote from @Diane F.:
  
  Quote from @Alfath Ahmed:
  
  Quote from @Diane F.:
  
  Hi everyone! 👋
  My husband and I finally took the leap and are ready to dive into real estate investing seriously. (For crying out loud..I've been on BP since 2020 and haven't made any legitimare RE move...until recently). We currently live in California, but we’re visiting Dayton, OH to really get to know the area—we’re even considering staying for a gain hands-on experience.
  My husband is a numbers-focused entrepreneur who bootstrapped his business in a challenging industry and kept it afloat, (he definitley has grit), while I’m a nurse who recently stepped away from my job to fully commit to building a real estate business. (BP podcast episode 14 was really inspiring..go check it out if you haven't already).
  We already have cash ready, but like many new investors, our bottleneck is navigating bank requirements. As you may have already heard from RE investor gurus and even a simple Google search would say that paying cash isn’t the most strategic move. That said, we do want to leverage our funds, explore creative financing, and partner with other investors (of course, only if it's a good match) to grow faster and acquire more properties.
  We’d love to connect with others who have experience in this market—or just like-minded people most likely like you who are open to sharing advice, recommendations, or even partnering on deals. If you have a duplex or even 5-unit+ property or ideas on navigating these financing bottlenecks, we’d be thrilled to hear from you.
  For those of you investing in Dayton or similar markets, what’s your best tip for overcoming bank hurdles while still building momentum as a new investor?
  Looking forward to connecting and learning from this community!
  Warm regards,
  D
  
  You guys are doing the right thing by visiting the market you are investing in. I own student housing in dayton and it does very well for me.
  Any particular reason you guys chose dayton over other cities in colombus?
  
  Hi Alfath! That’s great to hear that your student housing is doing so well. I was actually looking at Columbus as well, but Dayton is only about 30 minutes from my husband’s family, which is really the main reason we’re considering this move. We really want to be close so we can visit easily, especially with his mom’s health. Columbus is about an hour away, and Dayton also has a much more affordable starting point, which makes it easier for us as first-time investors.
  I completely agree that visiting the market in person is so important. Being on the ground has already given us a much better feel for the neighborhoods and the opportunities here. Are there are any areas you’d recommend and if there’s anything you’ve learned that makes managing tenants easier in Dayton? So many boarded houses, then huge, well maintained houses on the next street. Safety is definitely one thing that I think about especially since we might be living here too.
  
  I would say have a very quality pm. That will make a huge difference. Avoid many parts of the west side (there are boarded up homes there).
  I put together a neighborhood graded map along with some other people in my office that outlines the shape of Dayton. Happy to share that with you.
  
  Hi Alfath! Would it be an overkill for our initial buy to get a PM if we're only getting an owner occupied duplex?
  I looked up Dayton before flying here and it did say to avoid those areas. The Google search didnt disappoint..it was pretty factual. However, driving the neighborhoods did give us a solid feel of Dayton. Im glad we flew in and was able to drive around at night. It's not as bad as I thought based on research. There are definitely small pockets that are nice. Please do share your neighborhood graded map. I really appreciate you for offering especially since it may be the most accurate input compared to Google :)
  0 Reply
- Alfath AhmedBusiness Member
  Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
  8mo
  Quote from @Diane F.:
  
  Quote from @Alfath Ahmed:
  
  Quote from @Diane F.:
  
  Quote from @Alfath Ahmed:
  
  Quote from @Diane F.:
  
  Hi everyone! 👋
  My husband and I finally took the leap and are ready to dive into real estate investing seriously. (For crying out loud..I've been on BP since 2020 and haven't made any legitimare RE move...until recently). We currently live in California, but we’re visiting Dayton, OH to really get to know the area—we’re even considering staying for a gain hands-on experience.
  My husband is a numbers-focused entrepreneur who bootstrapped his business in a challenging industry and kept it afloat, (he definitley has grit), while I’m a nurse who recently stepped away from my job to fully commit to building a real estate business. (BP podcast episode 14 was really inspiring..go check it out if you haven't already).
  We already have cash ready, but like many new investors, our bottleneck is navigating bank requirements. As you may have already heard from RE investor gurus and even a simple Google search would say that paying cash isn’t the most strategic move. That said, we do want to leverage our funds, explore creative financing, and partner with other investors (of course, only if it's a good match) to grow faster and acquire more properties.
  We’d love to connect with others who have experience in this market—or just like-minded people most likely like you who are open to sharing advice, recommendations, or even partnering on deals. If you have a duplex or even 5-unit+ property or ideas on navigating these financing bottlenecks, we’d be thrilled to hear from you.
  For those of you investing in Dayton or similar markets, what’s your best tip for overcoming bank hurdles while still building momentum as a new investor?
  Looking forward to connecting and learning from this community!
  Warm regards,
  D
  
  You guys are doing the right thing by visiting the market you are investing in. I own student housing in dayton and it does very well for me.
  Any particular reason you guys chose dayton over other cities in colombus?
  
  Hi Alfath! That’s great to hear that your student housing is doing so well. I was actually looking at Columbus as well, but Dayton is only about 30 minutes from my husband’s family, which is really the main reason we’re considering this move. We really want to be close so we can visit easily, especially with his mom’s health. Columbus is about an hour away, and Dayton also has a much more affordable starting point, which makes it easier for us as first-time investors.
  I completely agree that visiting the market in person is so important. Being on the ground has already given us a much better feel for the neighborhoods and the opportunities here. Are there are any areas you’d recommend and if there’s anything you’ve learned that makes managing tenants easier in Dayton? So many boarded houses, then huge, well maintained houses on the next street. Safety is definitely one thing that I think about especially since we might be living here too.
  
  I would say have a very quality pm. That will make a huge difference. Avoid many parts of the west side (there are boarded up homes there).
  I put together a neighborhood graded map along with some other people in my office that outlines the shape of Dayton. Happy to share that with you.
  
  Hi Alfath! Would it be an overkill for our initial buy to get a PM if we're only getting an owner occupied duplex?
  I looked up Dayton before flying here and it did say to avoid those areas. The Google search didnt disappoint..it was pretty factual. However, driving the neighborhoods did give us a solid feel of Dayton. Im glad we flew in and was able to drive around at night. It's not as bad as I thought based on research. There are definitely small pockets that are nice. Please do share your neighborhood graded map. I really appreciate you for offering especially since it may be the most accurate input compared to Google :)
  
  If you are doing owner-occ then no need for PM.
  [email protected]614-802-5698
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- Mike Whitman
  Member since 2019 · 41 posts · 22 votes
  7mo
  @Alfath Ahmed would love to connect with you and hear about your student housing. This is a similar strategy I am just starting near one of my kid's schools.
  0 Reply
Shiloh LundahlPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Gilbert, AZ · Member since 2016 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
8mo
Hi @Diane F. I like to invest in secondary markets in Arizona like Casa Grande, Coolidge, and Florence. I also like to use the lease option model more than having regular rentals. I find lease options are less maintenance than regular rentals.

Purchasing properties with hard money lender and then refinancing them into DSCR loans is really the way to go to build a portfolio.
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- Diane F.
  OP
  New to Real Estate · Santa Cruz, CA · Member since 2020 · 20 posts · 17 votes
  8mo
  Quote from @Shiloh Lundahl:
  
  Hi @Diane F. I like to invest in secondary markets in Arizona like Casa Grande, Coolidge, and Florence. I also like to use the lease option model more than having regular rentals. I find lease options are less maintenance than regular rentals.
  
  Purchasing properties with hard money lender and then refinancing them into DSCR loans is really the way to go to build a portfolio.
  
  Hi Shiloh! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
  I agree that DSCR is definitely the best way to grow. We'll probably utilize that strategy on our 2nd purchase. Hard money may not be the best approach on our situation for the first buy because we do have the capital and we are not sure how else to force appreciate a property in a short period of time since we're looking for almost turn-key.
  Id like to hear more about the leasing option and your overall journey? Are you leasing the land to renters or are you leasing from the owner and subletting? And how is the Arizona market doing?
  Looking forward to know more from you.
  0 Reply
Don KonipolBusiness Member
Investor · The Woodlands TX / Avon, CT · Member since 2009 · 6k+ posts · 10k+ votes
8mo
Quote from @Diane F.:

Hi everyone! 👋
My husband and I finally took the leap and are ready to dive into real estate investing seriously. (For crying out loud..I've been on BP since 2020 and haven't made any legitimare RE move...until recently). We currently live in California, but we’re visiting Dayton, OH to really get to know the area—we’re even considering staying for a gain hands-on experience.
My husband is a numbers-focused entrepreneur who bootstrapped his business in a challenging industry and kept it afloat, (he definitley has grit), while I’m a nurse who recently stepped away from my job to fully commit to building a real estate business. (BP podcast episode 14 was really inspiring..go check it out if you haven't already).
We already have cash ready, but like many new investors, our bottleneck is navigating bank requirements. As you may have already heard from RE investor gurus and even a simple Google search would say that paying cash isn’t the most strategic move. That said, we do want to leverage our funds, explore creative financing, and partner with other investors (of course, only if it's a good match) to grow faster and acquire more properties.
We’d love to connect with others who have experience in this market—or just like-minded people most likely like you who are open to sharing advice, recommendations, or even partnering on deals. If you have a duplex or even 5-unit+ property or ideas on navigating these financing bottlenecks, we’d be thrilled to hear from you.
For those of you investing in Dayton or similar markets, what’s your best tip for overcoming bank hurdles while still building momentum as a new investor?
Looking forward to connecting and learning from this community!
Warm regards,
D
Now that you’ve heard the bias, hype, and nonsense, I’ll let you in on the reality.
Success in real estate investing depends on your knowledge, experience, ability, capital and luck.
Utilizing CREATIVE strategies can ENHANCE your wealth building, IF you know what the heck you’re doing, but creating an investment program around creative strategies rather than using creative strategies when and if appropriate will at least quadruple the time it takes to build a portfolio, if you’re able to generate enough deal flow at all.

“Creative” financing is a whole other animal. Problem is there’s “creative” financing that DECREASES profitability (ROI) as well as creative financing that increases ROI.

Many (most) creative financing deals consist of seller carryback financing. If this is done at 10% - 12% interest, the buyer is trading significant higher interest (expense) over institutional financing and hence much lower cash flow. If the seller accepts lower interest, it will often be because the buyer is paying a higher than cash sale price (same result). While this MAY result in buyer able to purchase properties they wouldn’t otherwise, it certainly isn’t the most effective or efficient way to build wealth.
CREATIVE financing that actually works to increase buyer profitability is a rarer, yet doable goal. It’s often done through purchasing property “subject to” an existing loan at a low interest rate. However, the buyer needs to be able to get their hands on cash quickly to pay off the note if the lender chooses to enforce the so called “due on sale” clause.

So first, understand the difference between creative real estate STRATEGIES and creative real estate FINANCE.
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- Diane F.
  OP
  New to Real Estate · Santa Cruz, CA · Member since 2020 · 20 posts · 17 votes
  8mo
  Quote from @Don Konipol:
  
  Quote from @Diane F.:
  
  Hi everyone! 👋
  My husband and I finally took the leap and are ready to dive into real estate investing seriously. (For crying out loud..I've been on BP since 2020 and haven't made any legitimare RE move...until recently). We currently live in California, but we’re visiting Dayton, OH to really get to know the area—we’re even considering staying for a gain hands-on experience.
  My husband is a numbers-focused entrepreneur who bootstrapped his business in a challenging industry and kept it afloat, (he definitley has grit), while I’m a nurse who recently stepped away from my job to fully commit to building a real estate business. (BP podcast episode 14 was really inspiring..go check it out if you haven't already).
  We already have cash ready, but like many new investors, our bottleneck is navigating bank requirements. As you may have already heard from RE investor gurus and even a simple Google search would say that paying cash isn’t the most strategic move. That said, we do want to leverage our funds, explore creative financing, and partner with other investors (of course, only if it's a good match) to grow faster and acquire more properties.
  We’d love to connect with others who have experience in this market—or just like-minded people most likely like you who are open to sharing advice, recommendations, or even partnering on deals. If you have a duplex or even 5-unit+ property or ideas on navigating these financing bottlenecks, we’d be thrilled to hear from you.
  For those of you investing in Dayton or similar markets, what’s your best tip for overcoming bank hurdles while still building momentum as a new investor?
  Looking forward to connecting and learning from this community!
  Warm regards,
  D
  Now that you’ve heard the bias, hype, and nonsense, I’ll let you in on the reality.
  Success in real estate investing depends on your knowledge, experience, ability, capital and luck.
  Utilizing CREATIVE strategies can ENHANCE your wealth building, IF you know what the heck you’re doing, but creating an investment program around creative strategies rather than using creative strategies when and if appropriate will at least quadruple the time it takes to build a portfolio, if you’re able to generate enough deal flow at all.
  
  “Creative” financing is a whole other animal. Problem is there’s “creative” financing that DECREASES profitability (ROI) as well as creative financing that increases ROI.
  
  Many (most) creative financing deals consist of seller carryback financing. If this is done at 10% - 12% interest, the buyer is trading significant higher interest (expense) over institutional financing and hence much lower cash flow. If the seller accepts lower interest, it will often be because the buyer is paying a higher than cash sale price (same result). While this MAY result in buyer able to purchase properties they wouldn’t otherwise, it certainly isn’t the most effective or efficient way to build wealth.
  CREATIVE financing that actually works to increase buyer profitability is a rarer, yet doable goal. It’s often done through purchasing property “subject to” an existing loan at a low interest rate. However, the buyer needs to be able to get their hands on cash quickly to pay off the note if the lender chooses to enforce the so called “due on sale” clause.
  
  So first, understand the difference between creative real estate STRATEGIES and creative real estate FINANCE.
  
  Hi Don! Thank you for your very straightforward insight, and i have to say, I can't agree with you more. Our strategy is to rent it out, buy and hold. If the numbers dont make sense, then it doesn't. No itch on having to buy just for the sake of buying. We probably do a BRRRR down the line; not on this initial purchase.
  In terms of creative financing, it definitely is a different beast. We realized that we're leaning towards lenders that
  offer asset depletion income that can be combined with projected rental income for an owner-occupied duplex or any multi-family. We're also speaking with personal friends that are investing in real estate and just bouncing off ideas with them and possibly partnering with them.
  I would really love to hear more about your thoughts on these. :)
  1 Reply
Remington LymanBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 7k+ votes
8mo
Quote from @Diane F.:

Hi everyone! 👋
My husband and I finally took the leap and are ready to dive into real estate investing seriously. (For crying out loud..I've been on BP since 2020 and haven't made any legitimare RE move...until recently). We currently live in California, but we’re visiting Dayton, OH to really get to know the area—we’re even considering staying for a gain hands-on experience.
My husband is a numbers-focused entrepreneur who bootstrapped his business in a challenging industry and kept it afloat, (he definitley has grit), while I’m a nurse who recently stepped away from my job to fully commit to building a real estate business. (BP podcast episode 14 was really inspiring..go check it out if you haven't already).
We already have cash ready, but like many new investors, our bottleneck is navigating bank requirements. As you may have already heard from RE investor gurus and even a simple Google search would say that paying cash isn’t the most strategic move. That said, we do want to leverage our funds, explore creative financing, and partner with other investors (of course, only if it's a good match) to grow faster and acquire more properties.
We’d love to connect with others who have experience in this market—or just like-minded people most likely like you who are open to sharing advice, recommendations, or even partnering on deals. If you have a duplex or even 5-unit+ property or ideas on navigating these financing bottlenecks, we’d be thrilled to hear from you.
For those of you investing in Dayton or similar markets, what’s your best tip for overcoming bank hurdles while still building momentum as a new investor?
Looking forward to connecting and learning from this community!
Warm regards,
D

Welcome to BP! A lot of clients who want to purchase these small apartments are having success in Dayton, Ohio, because they cash flow enough to reach the DSCR requirements that banks have
[email protected]614-541-8475 Podcast Guest on Show My Job Laid Me Off, So I Replaced My Salary with Rentals
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- Diane F.
  OP
  New to Real Estate · Santa Cruz, CA · Member since 2020 · 20 posts · 17 votes
  8mo
  Quote from @Remington Lyman:
  
  Quote from @Diane F.:
  
  Hi everyone! 👋
  My husband and I finally took the leap and are ready to dive into real estate investing seriously. (For crying out loud..I've been on BP since 2020 and haven't made any legitimare RE move...until recently). We currently live in California, but we’re visiting Dayton, OH to really get to know the area—we’re even considering staying for a gain hands-on experience.
  My husband is a numbers-focused entrepreneur who bootstrapped his business in a challenging industry and kept it afloat, (he definitley has grit), while I’m a nurse who recently stepped away from my job to fully commit to building a real estate business. (BP podcast episode 14 was really inspiring..go check it out if you haven't already).
  We already have cash ready, but like many new investors, our bottleneck is navigating bank requirements. As you may have already heard from RE investor gurus and even a simple Google search would say that paying cash isn’t the most strategic move. That said, we do want to leverage our funds, explore creative financing, and partner with other investors (of course, only if it's a good match) to grow faster and acquire more properties.
  We’d love to connect with others who have experience in this market—or just like-minded people most likely like you who are open to sharing advice, recommendations, or even partnering on deals. If you have a duplex or even 5-unit+ property or ideas on navigating these financing bottlenecks, we’d be thrilled to hear from you.
  For those of you investing in Dayton or similar markets, what’s your best tip for overcoming bank hurdles while still building momentum as a new investor?
  Looking forward to connecting and learning from this community!
  Warm regards,
  D
  
  Welcome to BP! A lot of clients who want to purchase these small apartments are having success in Dayton, Ohio, because they cash flow enough to reach the DSCR requirements that banks have
  
  That's very reassuring. Thank you for this input. We are still yet to find those properties. However, in our case, we're planning to live in the first property to really get to know the market along with our other personal reasons. That may not qualify us for DSCR. Most likely for our next purchase. This is why we want to leverage our cash so we can househack one property and DSCR the other; hopefully do both almost simultaneously.
  have you had buyers similar to our situation? :)
  0 Reply
- Remington LymanBusiness Member
  Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 7k+ votes
  8mo
  Quote from @Diane F.:
  
  Quote from @Remington Lyman:
  
  Quote from @Diane F.:
  
  Hi everyone! 👋
  My husband and I finally took the leap and are ready to dive into real estate investing seriously. (For crying out loud..I've been on BP since 2020 and haven't made any legitimare RE move...until recently). We currently live in California, but we’re visiting Dayton, OH to really get to know the area—we’re even considering staying for a gain hands-on experience.
  My husband is a numbers-focused entrepreneur who bootstrapped his business in a challenging industry and kept it afloat, (he definitley has grit), while I’m a nurse who recently stepped away from my job to fully commit to building a real estate business. (BP podcast episode 14 was really inspiring..go check it out if you haven't already).
  We already have cash ready, but like many new investors, our bottleneck is navigating bank requirements. As you may have already heard from RE investor gurus and even a simple Google search would say that paying cash isn’t the most strategic move. That said, we do want to leverage our funds, explore creative financing, and partner with other investors (of course, only if it's a good match) to grow faster and acquire more properties.
  We’d love to connect with others who have experience in this market—or just like-minded people most likely like you who are open to sharing advice, recommendations, or even partnering on deals. If you have a duplex or even 5-unit+ property or ideas on navigating these financing bottlenecks, we’d be thrilled to hear from you.
  For those of you investing in Dayton or similar markets, what’s your best tip for overcoming bank hurdles while still building momentum as a new investor?
  Looking forward to connecting and learning from this community!
  Warm regards,
  D
  
  Welcome to BP! A lot of clients who want to purchase these small apartments are having success in Dayton, Ohio, because they cash flow enough to reach the DSCR requirements that banks have
  
  That's very reassuring. Thank you for this input. We are still yet to find those properties. However, in our case, we're planning to live in the first property to really get to know the market along with our other personal reasons. That may not qualify us for DSCR. Most likely for our next purchase. This is why we want to leverage our cash so we can househack one property and DSCR the other; hopefully do both almost simultaneously.
  have you had buyers similar to our situation? :)
  
  I started off with a house hack here in Columbus, Ohio. It is the best way to get started. You get to put little money down and learn the business by getting your hands dirty
  [email protected]614-541-8475 Podcast Guest on Show My Job Laid Me Off, So I Replaced My Salary with Rentals
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Pierre Guirguis
Lender · Marlboro, NJ · Member since 2025 · 243 posts · 149 votes
8mo
You’re asking the right question, and you’re also bumping into a very common misconception early on.

Creative financing isn’t something you do instead of capital. It’s something you use to protect and stretch capital, especially when banks are the bottleneck.

If you already have cash, the most practical “creative” approaches tend to fall into a few buckets:
1. Cash + leverage, not cash-only
  Even if you can pay all cash, using short-term bridge or DSCR-style debt lets you preserve liquidity for reserves, renovations, or your next deal. Momentum usually dies when all the cash gets trapped in deal one.
2. Seller motivation beats clever structure
  Seller financing, price concessions, or delayed payments usually come from motivation, not creativity. In secondary markets like Dayton, older landlords and estate sellers are often more flexible than banks if the deal solves a real problem for them.
3. Partnerships should solve a gap, not create one
  Early partnerships work best when roles are clear. One side brings capital, the other brings operations, sourcing, or local execution. Partnering just to “go faster” without defined lanes usually creates friction later.
4. Banks aren’t the enemy, timing is
  Traditional banks are slow and rigid for first deals. Many investors use non-bank debt initially, then refinance into cheaper long-term financing once the property is stabilized and their track record is established.
If I had to give one actionable tip:
optimize for deal flow and learning speed, not perfect financing on deal one. The financing gets easier after you’ve closed something and can show execution.

Dayton is a solid market for this approach if you stay conservative on assumptions.

Happy to share more if helpful, and welcome to the part of the journey where things finally get real.
0 Reply
Marc RiceBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
8mo
Quote from @Diane F.:

Hi everyone! 👋
My husband and I finally took the leap and are ready to dive into real estate investing seriously. (For crying out loud..I've been on BP since 2020 and haven't made any legitimare RE move...until recently). We currently live in California, but we’re visiting Dayton, OH to really get to know the area—we’re even considering staying for a gain hands-on experience.
My husband is a numbers-focused entrepreneur who bootstrapped his business in a challenging industry and kept it afloat, (he definitley has grit), while I’m a nurse who recently stepped away from my job to fully commit to building a real estate business. (BP podcast episode 14 was really inspiring..go check it out if you haven't already).
We already have cash ready, but like many new investors, our bottleneck is navigating bank requirements. As you may have already heard from RE investor gurus and even a simple Google search would say that paying cash isn’t the most strategic move. That said, we do want to leverage our funds, explore creative financing, and partner with other investors (of course, only if it's a good match) to grow faster and acquire more properties.
We’d love to connect with others who have experience in this market—or just like-minded people most likely like you who are open to sharing advice, recommendations, or even partnering on deals. If you have a duplex or even 5-unit+ property or ideas on navigating these financing bottlenecks, we’d be thrilled to hear from you.
For those of you investing in Dayton or similar markets, what’s your best tip for overcoming bank hurdles while still building momentum as a new investor?
Looking forward to connecting and learning from this community!
Warm regards,
D
Dayton is a pretty good market if you are looking for cash flow. However, Dayton properties often require some deferred maintenance. I would also be careful about certain neighborhoods
[email protected]614-363-2787
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- Diane F.
  OP
  New to Real Estate · Santa Cruz, CA · Member since 2020 · 20 posts · 17 votes
  7mo
  Quote from @Marc Rice:
  
  Quote from @Diane F.:
  
  Hi everyone! 👋
  My husband and I finally took the leap and are ready to dive into real estate investing seriously. (For crying out loud..I've been on BP since 2020 and haven't made any legitimare RE move...until recently). We currently live in California, but we’re visiting Dayton, OH to really get to know the area—we’re even considering staying for a gain hands-on experience.
  My husband is a numbers-focused entrepreneur who bootstrapped his business in a challenging industry and kept it afloat, (he definitley has grit), while I’m a nurse who recently stepped away from my job to fully commit to building a real estate business. (BP podcast episode 14 was really inspiring..go check it out if you haven't already).
  We already have cash ready, but like many new investors, our bottleneck is navigating bank requirements. As you may have already heard from RE investor gurus and even a simple Google search would say that paying cash isn’t the most strategic move. That said, we do want to leverage our funds, explore creative financing, and partner with other investors (of course, only if it's a good match) to grow faster and acquire more properties.
  We’d love to connect with others who have experience in this market—or just like-minded people most likely like you who are open to sharing advice, recommendations, or even partnering on deals. If you have a duplex or even 5-unit+ property or ideas on navigating these financing bottlenecks, we’d be thrilled to hear from you.
  For those of you investing in Dayton or similar markets, what’s your best tip for overcoming bank hurdles while still building momentum as a new investor?
  Looking forward to connecting and learning from this community!
  Warm regards,
  D
  Dayton is a pretty good market if you are looking for cash flow. However, Dayton properties often require some deferred maintenance. I would also be careful about certain neighborhoods
  
  So true. We quickly realized that after we visited. Most houses are over 100 y.o. and in historic districts. We really have to be creative since we're considering living in it for a year.
  0 Reply
Diane F.
OP
New to Real Estate · Santa Cruz, CA · Member since 2020 · 20 posts · 17 votes
7mo
Hello everyone!

We’re finally back in California after our boots-on-the-ground experience in Dayton — and wow, what an invaluable trip that was. There’s only so much you can learn online. Walking the neighborhoods, seeing properties in person, getting a feel for the streets and the community — that gave us a completely different level of clarity and confidence.

We were only there for two weeks, and as soon as we got back to California, we jumped right into hosting friends. Somewhere in the middle of all that, I came down with the flu and was completely down for the count 😅 so I haven’t been able to check in on this forum as much as I would’ve liked.

First and foremost, thank you all. Truly. Reading your experiences, insights, and encouragement has meant so much to us. Everyone here brings something valuable to the table, and your guidance has been incredibly helpful as we navigate this journey.

We also have a little win to share — we were able to secure a bank statement loan, which has given us more flexibility and confidence moving forward. That felt like a big step in the right direction for us.

Quick update overall… whew — it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster.

We originally set out thinking we’d just buy an investment property and not live in it. It didn’t take long to realize that to do this strategically, we really needed to secure a primary residence first. So we shifted gears and considered looking at single-family homes.

We put in offers… and honestly, none of them felt right in the end. The numbers just didn’t align with our long-term goals. As frustrating as that was, it helped us stay disciplined and grounded in our strategy.

So we pivoted again — this time to duplexes. Interestingly, the ones we analyzed and submitted offers for were consistently the ones that got scooped up almost immediately. In a strange way, that’s been encouraging. It reassures us that we’re identifying solid deals — we’re gravitating toward the same properties other investors see value in.

Our goal is to owner-occupy for at least a year and make it our primary, while still being intentional about the investment side. We’re currently in the middle of another negotiation… so the journey continues.

I also want to sincerely thank those of you who have been sending properties our way that might be worth considering, and for sharing resources and services we may need down the line. That generosity and willingness to connect does not go unnoticed. We’re truly grateful for the relationships we’re building here.

Thank you again for being so open and supportive. I’m incredibly grateful to be connected with you all. Please stay in touch — we look forward to learning and growing alongside this community. 🤍
3 Reply
- Alfath AhmedBusiness Member
  Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
  7mo
  Quote from @Diane F.:
  
  Hello everyone!
  
  We’re finally back in California after our boots-on-the-ground experience in Dayton — and wow, what an invaluable trip that was. There’s only so much you can learn online. Walking the neighborhoods, seeing properties in person, getting a feel for the streets and the community — that gave us a completely different level of clarity and confidence.
  
  We were only there for two weeks, and as soon as we got back to California, we jumped right into hosting friends. Somewhere in the middle of all that, I came down with the flu and was completely down for the count 😅 so I haven’t been able to check in on this forum as much as I would’ve liked.
  
  First and foremost, thank you all. Truly. Reading your experiences, insights, and encouragement has meant so much to us. Everyone here brings something valuable to the table, and your guidance has been incredibly helpful as we navigate this journey.
  
  We also have a little win to share — we were able to secure a bank statement loan, which has given us more flexibility and confidence moving forward. That felt like a big step in the right direction for us.
  
  Quick update overall… whew — it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster.
  
  We originally set out thinking we’d just buy an investment property and not live in it. It didn’t take long to realize that to do this strategically, we really needed to secure a primary residence first. So we shifted gears and considered looking at single-family homes.
  
  We put in offers… and honestly, none of them felt right in the end. The numbers just didn’t align with our long-term goals. As frustrating as that was, it helped us stay disciplined and grounded in our strategy.
  
  So we pivoted again — this time to duplexes. Interestingly, the ones we analyzed and submitted offers for were consistently the ones that got scooped up almost immediately. In a strange way, that’s been encouraging. It reassures us that we’re identifying solid deals — we’re gravitating toward the same properties other investors see value in.
  
  Our goal is to owner-occupy for at least a year and make it our primary, while still being intentional about the investment side. We’re currently in the middle of another negotiation… so the journey continues.
  
  I also want to sincerely thank those of you who have been sending properties our way that might be worth considering, and for sharing resources and services we may need down the line. That generosity and willingness to connect does not go unnoticed. We’re truly grateful for the relationships we’re building here.
  
  Thank you again for being so open and supportive. I’m incredibly grateful to be connected with you all. Please stay in touch — we look forward to learning and growing alongside this community. 🤍
  
  That's awesome Diane. I'm glad I was able to send you some properties to see in Dayton. House-hacking is going to be a really good way since you guys have now secured bank financing. Go with the 5% down option and work in your 2% seller credits to cover closing costs per Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac guidelines.
  [email protected]614-802-5698
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Ethan HaiglerBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2019 · 111 posts · 58 votes
7mo
@Diane F.I recommend doing private lending to get over bank hurdles. There are minimum requirements and you can buy value add properties to force appreciation, and then collect cash flow. I’m an agent/wholesaler/private lender in Cleveland although I also have properties in Columbus, Dayton, Detroit and St Louis. DM me if you’d like to jump on a phone call
[email protected]704-607-2078
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