What do you think about the future of Detroit?

Question

What do professional investors think about Detroit's course and future?

Joe Villeneuve · Answer

Excellent...but you have to know where to invest.

Wendy Patton · Answer

@Polat Caglayan $1000 net?  if so you will need multiple properties - don't believe all you hear about the cash flow in Detroit.  Sometimes they forget to tell you that many tenants in Detroit don't pay (depending on the property manager skill and the type of tenant) - but taxes are very high in the city and so is insurance.  Likely you will need a few properties worth a few hundred thousand minimum -  how much out of pocket?  depends on your credit if you can get a mortgage or your ability to find good deals that you use hard money for and then refinance into DSRC.   Still a good investment?  if you find the right deal in the right area with the right tenant?  SLAM DUNK yes!

Wendy Patton · Answer

@Polat Caglayan.Detroit is HOT right now for sure.  You do still have to know the right areas to invest in and who to trust for that info.  If i can help in anyway, please let me know.

Travis Biziorek · Answer

I’m very optimistic about Detroit’s future, but let me give you some context. I lived there from 2017 to 2022 and personally witnessed significant changes during that time. Neighborhood revitalization projects, major corporate investments, and an influx of small businesses were all happening at a pace that made it clear the city is on an upward trajectory.

From an investor’s perspective, Detroit offers a unique combination of affordability and opportunity. The rent-to-price ratios in many neighborhoods are strong, and the city’s population is finally growing again after decades of decline.

One thing that stands out to me is Detroit’s median home price—around $95k—which is far below comparable cities of its size in terms of population. For a city with such a large metro area and a growing economy, I believe it’s only a matter of time before this disconnect resolves. That creates a compelling opportunity for investors willing to get in ahead of the curve.

I’ve been investing there since 2019 and have built a 12-door portfolio primarily using the BRRRR method. What drew me to Detroit initially was the potential for strong cash flow, but I’ve also seen appreciation in several of my properties as the city continues to improve. That said, Detroit is very much a block-by-block market, so understanding the dynamics of specific areas is critical.

For professional investors (and even newer ones), Detroit’s future is bright if you approach it with the right strategy, solid due diligence, and an understanding of the challenges. If you’d like to dive deeper into my experience and why I’m bullish on Detroit, I'm happy to share some resources if you want to DM me.

James Wise · Answer

Detroit is just like any other Midwestern rust belt city. Always gonna be a whole bunch of cheap old houses with a whole bunch of people on Section 8 ready to rent them. Cleveland, Detroit, Toledo, Akron, Baltimore, Kansas City, Indy etc......All the same.

Polat Caglayan · Answer

How much do I need to invest for a house and a thousand dollar income?

Polat Caglayan · Answer

Can you give me a few examples of where and what kind of investments I should not make?

What do you think about the future of Detroit?

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