The Top 10 Cities for Investors on a Budget

The Top 10 Cities for Investors on a Budget

Real Estate Agent · Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2011 · 471 posts · 296 votes

I thought this was interesting from Realtor.com.  I was happy to see Phoenix on the list!  Although I find that it's highly competitive in my market...so there goes your budget if you want to submit the highest offer! ;)) 

 If your city is on this list, are you finding good deals as an investor?

To find the best budget-friendly places to invest, they looked at single-family homes that cost $232,500 or under, which is the median price of existing homes nationwide in April, according to NAR). Their analysis also included other factors, which is why some markets with lower appreciation appear higher on the list.)

The top 10 cities for investors on a budget:

  1. Jacksonville, Fla.: 3.6%
  2. Tampa, Fla.: 4.4%
  3. Orlando, Fla.: 3.7%
  4. Chicago, Ill.: 4.2%
  5. Detroit, Mich.: 3.1%
  6. Las Vegas, Nev.: 4.7%
  7. Cincinnati, Ohio: 3.4%
  8. Phoenix, Ariz.: 4.8%
  9. Cleveland, Ohio: 3.4%
  10. Minneapolis, Minn.: 3.4%

HomeUnion also identified the following metros as where buyers can see the largest first-year rental returns as a landlord:

  1. Cleveland, Ohio: 11.1%
  2. Columbia, S.C.: 9.7%
  3. Birmingham, Ala.: 8.5%
  4. Pittsburgh, Pa.: 8.4%
  5. Milwaukee, Wis.: 8.4%

Source: “The Best Cities to Invest in Real Estate on a Budget,” realtor.com® (July 25, 2016)

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Property Manager · Griffith, IN · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 913 votes
10y

It's often overlooked (possibly because it's more of a region vs a single city) but NW Indiana is a rental dream. Hammond, Lake Station, Merrillville, Griffith, and others are locations were you can get 8-10% buying turn key and 10-12-15% or more if you are involved more. It's pretty easy to get rentals in the $65-85K range that get $1000-1250 or more in rents. Taxes are crazy low and Indiana is a very land lord friendly state. Plus we're seeing some really good appreciation this year in those markets. 

See this reply in the discussion

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  • Flipper/Rehabber · Crown Point, IN · Member since 2009 · 482 posts · 216 votes
    10y

    Adrien is correct about Hammond. It's a good rental market. You just need to be careful of who you rent to. But isn't that really the case wherever you are? 

  • Lender · Goshen, IN · Member since 2016 · 3 posts · 1 vote
    10y

    Do you offer any wholesale properties in Northeastern, IN? I am in Goshen. Mishawaka, South Bend, Osceola, Granger, Bristol, Middlebury, Elkhart

  • Property Manager · Lindenhurst, IL · Member since 2016 · 854 posts · 506 votes
    10y

    @Ali Boone - I agree. It's OK to look at lists but have to also consider other things.

  • Alex CraigBusiness Member
    Real Estate Professional · Memphis, TN · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    I would ask how many properties Home Union owns in these markets. I would rather work with someone who lives in the market and knows the market rather then getting their data from Wall St. We have already seen several Wall private equity groups fail miserably as landlords because they thought they could accumulate data, read a few books on landlording and be successful. Recently, one group sold their portfolio at an average loss of 40k.

  • Dylan TanakaPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Detroit, MI · Member since 2008 · 455 posts · 178 votes
    10y
    I've been investing in Metro Detroit real estate for 15 years. In the last few Detroit has gained tons of traction. What's going on downtown and in the outer rim in this summer of 2016 are amazing.
  • Andrew SyriosPro Member
    Moderator
    Residential Real Estate Investor · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    10y

    How on Earth is Phoenix on this list? I mean, Detroit and Tampa Bay don't surprise me. But I would expect to see Midwest and Southern cities like Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Memphis, Birmingham and the like

  • Real Estate Agent · Wesley Chapel, FL · Member since 2016 · 153 posts · 38 votes
    10y

    Go Tampa. If anyone is looking for an agent in the Tampa area, send me a message and I will be glad to help.

  • Real Estate Investor / Joint Venture Specialist. · Crown Point , IN · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 238 votes
    10y

    @Bevla Reeves Anywhere from 35,000 - 55,000 we do not have an average per sq ft just cause on some houses it can vary so much. 

  • Investor · Richmond, VA · Member since 2016 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    10y

    Scott please contact me about properties in NW Indiana 

  • Real Estate Agent · Jacksonville, FL · Member since 2016 · 406 posts · 163 votes
    10y
    I'm based in the Jacksonville Florida market and I have a lot of investors looking for rental properties here. We get great returns. If anyone is interested in buying or selling on or off market id love to connect. The biggest obstacle here in JAX is lack of MLS inventory for out of state / international buyers. We do a lot of wholesale and direct to seller deals.
  • Investor · San Pedro, CA · Member since 2015 · 17 posts · 1 vote
    10y
    Jad Would like to discuss BH in Cleveland market, have some funds in solo 401k and looking for solid cash flow market. Please PM if can help. Thanks
  • Investor · Orlando, FL · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 780 votes
    10y

    HI Joseph and others. I am in the Orlando FL area and I have lots of good deals. Yes good deals all over Central Florida. Deals as low as $29,900 and up. FYI.

    Steve Anderson

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Crown Point, IN · Member since 2009 · 482 posts · 216 votes
    10y

    Lists are nice to give you a "general" idea. What matters is where you're comfortable investing, where you're capable of investing,what you can find and is it at the right price. If there's a great market that's 1000 miles from you and don't have a rehab crew or a realtor, what good is it? I believe there are opportunities nationwide. You have to go out and find them! Yes, some areas are better than others. Find an area you're comfortable in, research it to death and buy something. There are plenty of people on BP that can help you make a decision and plenty of people that can assist with a rehab crew, realtor etc. You just have to find them and then research them, Out here in Northwest Indiana, we have some great deals. We have flips and rentals. They range from $20k uo to $800k and everything in between. So there are other great markets as well.

  • Real Estate Agent · Jacksonville, FL · Member since 2016 · 406 posts · 163 votes
    10y
    We are crushing it here in Jacksonville. Lots of international investors. If anyone is interested in Jacksonville id love to connect.
  • Investor · Jacksonville Beach, FL · Member since 2015 · 7 posts · 4 votes
    10y

    Joseph, I'm an investor/landlord in Jacksonville.  Sent you a request to connect.

  • Anthony GaydenPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Omaha, NE · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Andrew Syrios:

    How on Earth is Phoenix on this list? I mean, Detroit and Tampa Bay don't surprise me. But I would expect to see Midwest and Southern cities like Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Memphis, Birmingham and the like

     Phoenix is awesome, that's why.

    The weather in Phoenix means lower maintenance costs. You won't see many damaging storms or winds. The property taxes in Phoenix are very low compared to the property taxes in many of the Midwestern cities, and that really does effect your monthly payment. Phoenix is one of the fastest growing large metro areas in the United States. You will see both appreciation and rental income growth in the market. 

    On the downside, Phoenix is more expensive, but compared to California, New York, etc, it is a bargain. 

    I own a 4 plex in Phoenix and want to buy more in the future. Don't get me wrong, I love Kansas City, it is my hometown after all, but I like Phoenix too.

  • Andrew SyriosPro Member
    Moderator
    Residential Real Estate Investor · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Anthony Gayden:
    Originally posted by @Andrew Syrios:

    How on Earth is Phoenix on this list? I mean, Detroit and Tampa Bay don't surprise me. But I would expect to see Midwest and Southern cities like Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Memphis, Birmingham and the like

     Phoenix is awesome, that's why.

    The weather in Phoenix means lower maintenance costs. You won't see many damaging storms or winds. The property taxes in Phoenix are very low compared to the property taxes in many of the Midwestern cities, and that really does effect your monthly payment. Phoenix is one of the fastest growing large metro areas in the United States. You will see both appreciation and rental income growth in the market. 

    On the downside, Phoenix is more expensive, but compared to California, New York, etc, it is a bargain. 

    I own a 4 plex in Phoenix and want to buy more in the future. Don't get me wrong, I love Kansas City, it is my hometown after all, but I like Phoenix too.

    I actually love Phoenix (although I avoid in the summer for obvious reasons) but the houses seems so expensive and there's so little inventory on the market it's hard for me to see it as "affordable."

  • Anthony GaydenPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Omaha, NE · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Andrew Syrios:
    Originally posted by @Anthony Gayden:
    Originally posted by @Andrew Syrios:

    How on Earth is Phoenix on this list? I mean, Detroit and Tampa Bay don't surprise me. But I would expect to see Midwest and Southern cities like Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Memphis, Birmingham and the like

     Phoenix is awesome, that's why.

    The weather in Phoenix means lower maintenance costs. You won't see many damaging storms or winds. The property taxes in Phoenix are very low compared to the property taxes in many of the Midwestern cities, and that really does effect your monthly payment. Phoenix is one of the fastest growing large metro areas in the United States. You will see both appreciation and rental income growth in the market. 

    On the downside, Phoenix is more expensive, but compared to California, New York, etc, it is a bargain. 

    I own a 4 plex in Phoenix and want to buy more in the future. Don't get me wrong, I love Kansas City, it is my hometown after all, but I like Phoenix too.

    I actually love Phoenix (although I avoid in the summer for obvious reasons) but the houses seems so expensive and there's so little inventory on the market it's hard for me to see it as "affordable."

     It certainly is not the most affordable city on that list. I do think that it is a very affordable place though compared to California and other expensive coastal areas. It probably is not the best for fix and rent landlords.

  • Real Estate Agent · Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2011 · 471 posts · 296 votes
    10y

    @Andrew Syrios Phoenix is highly competitive amongst investors in certain areas but gentrification is happening in a few new places as well and those are the areas you'll find your deals now! Zip codes: 85014, 85020, 85007, 85013.

  • Andrew SyriosPro Member
    Moderator
    Residential Real Estate Investor · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Anthony Gayden:
    Originally posted by @Andrew Syrios:
    Originally posted by @Anthony Gayden:
    Originally posted by @Andrew Syrios:

    How on Earth is Phoenix on this list? I mean, Detroit and Tampa Bay don't surprise me. But I would expect to see Midwest and Southern cities like Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Memphis, Birmingham and the like

     Phoenix is awesome, that's why.

    The weather in Phoenix means lower maintenance costs. You won't see many damaging storms or winds. The property taxes in Phoenix are very low compared to the property taxes in many of the Midwestern cities, and that really does effect your monthly payment. Phoenix is one of the fastest growing large metro areas in the United States. You will see both appreciation and rental income growth in the market. 

    On the downside, Phoenix is more expensive, but compared to California, New York, etc, it is a bargain. 

    I own a 4 plex in Phoenix and want to buy more in the future. Don't get me wrong, I love Kansas City, it is my hometown after all, but I like Phoenix too.

    I actually love Phoenix (although I avoid in the summer for obvious reasons) but the houses seems so expensive and there's so little inventory on the market it's hard for me to see it as "affordable."

     It certainly is not the most affordable city on that list. I do think that it is a very affordable place though compared to California and other expensive coastal areas. It probably is not the best for fix and rent landlords.

     Well, pretty much everywhere other than NYC is affordable compared to California...

  • Jacksonville, FL · Member since 2015 · 24 posts · 1 vote
    10y

    I'm in Jacksonville myself. Wholesaler.  I agree it is rental friendly. 

  • Investor · Sacramento, CA · Member since 2016 · 9 posts · 7 votes
    10y

    Belva & John, 

    Nice lists!  One market that I really like is Ogden, UT.  I bought a triplex there in 2015 for $143,500, and total monthly rental income is just over $1,800.  My mortgage payment (including taxes & insurance) is only $711 per month!  After all operating expenses including my property management company, I have a decent cash flow every month.  Also I just completed a big project in separating both the gas and electric meters so the tenants now pay all utilities except water.  Now my cash flow is even better :) 

    I began venturing into the Ogden market because back here in California, most of the time the prices just don't make sense financially for the buy and hold cash flow model. Not too hard to find in Ogden, UT.  In my opinion and based on experience, if you have the right team in place, investing in better markets away from home can be great.  Just be careful and do your homework!

  • Real Estate Investor and Landlord · Enterprise, AL · Member since 2014 · 34 posts · 4 votes
    10y
    Danielle Fattizzi Joseph Hamaoui Richard Pierre My husband and I are looking to relocate to Jacksonville soon to finally get serious about our REI career. We would love to connect with you and see what kind of off market deals you have available at the moment.
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