New to real estate investing

[Daniel Hernandez]

Hi everyone,

My name is Daniel and I’m brand new to real estate investing. I currently own my primary residence and I’m now looking to invest out of state (outside of California). As part of my five-year plan I aim to scale to 3–4 properties. Right now I’m focused on choosing the right area and neighborhood to invest in, ideally starting with a duplex. I’m looking forward to connecting and learning from the wealth of knowledge shared here. Have a great weekend everyone!

[Melissa Justice]

@Daniel Hernandez,

Welcome, Daniel - great to see you taking a strategic approach right out of the gate.

Since you're based in California and aiming to invest out of state with a goal to scale to 3–4 properties, here are a few high-performing duplex-friendly markets worth considering:

Akron & Canton, Ohio:
Strong rental demand and low entry prices
Duplexes regularly available under $200K
Landlord-friendly laws in Ohio

Many investors use these markets to build long-term cash flow portfolios

Ocala, Florida:
Growing population and job market
New construction duplexes with solid rent-to-price ratios
No state income tax in FL = better net cash flow

San Antonio, Dallas, Houston (Texas Triangle):
Strong appreciation markets with stable economies
Plenty of duplex opportunities, especially in San Antonio
Texas is landlord-friendly, great for out-of-state owners

Since you're looking to scale over the next 5 years, make sure you:

Choose markets with team support (PMs, lenders, etc.)

Focus on properties with strong fundamentals (cash flow, rent stability, low vacancy)

Start with one solid property to learn systems before expanding

Let me know if you'd like help analyzing any of these areas - happy to share. You're off to a great start!

Best of luck!