New Investor, Likely Moving to Dayton in 2026

Dayton, Ohio
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New Investor, Likely Moving to Dayton in 2026

Jason Renze
Member since 2025 · 9 posts · 12 votes
Hey everyone! I’m a new investor; just bought my first duplex as a house hack in Omaha Nebraska. Still learning the ropes of all this but I’m anticipating a move to Dayton Ohio (I’m active duty Air Force so Wright Pat AFB). Once I move I’d be looking at another small multifamily to house hack. Just looking to get to know some people in the area and understand the market a bit! What do you all think about Dayton and surrounding areas for investing, specifically for small multifamily? Thank you!
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Joseph TadresPro Member
Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2025 · 184 posts · 179 votes
1y

Hey Jason! Welcome to BiggerPockets! Congrats on buying your first duplex! The biggest step is buying the first property. I'm from Columbus, and I have also started investing in Dayton. Dayton's demand is growing, but you have to be careful because certain areas in Dayton are not great. I'd love to connect and talk more about it!

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

    Congrats on your first duplex and on starting out with house hacking, Jason! that’s such a solid way to build momentum. Small multifamily can be a great move since it spreads risk across multiple units and usually offers stronger cash flow. I’d just keep an eye on things like tenant demand, age of the properties, and what kind of maintenance reserves you’ll need. Every market has pockets that work better than others, so connecting with local investors and property managers early can give you a big advantage. Are you leaning more toward long term holds or mixing in some value add projects down the road? Happy to keep the conversation going!

    [email protected]614-412-2912
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    • Jason Renze
      OP
      Member since 2025 · 9 posts · 12 votes
      1y

      @Min Zhang Hey Min! Thank you for replying. Definitely wanting to find something I could add some value to. Using the VA loan for financing my first couple house hacks so the 0% down frees up capital for some improvements. Do you have experience making minor renovations to multifamilies yourself?
      Currently just hoping to get a feel for the Dayton market and meet some people who have familiarity before I would potentially move there. 

      0Reply
  • Joseph TadresPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2025 · 184 posts · 179 votes
    1y

    Hey Jason! Welcome to BiggerPockets! Congrats on buying your first duplex! The biggest step is buying the first property. I'm from Columbus, and I have also started investing in Dayton. Dayton's demand is growing, but you have to be careful because certain areas in Dayton are not great. I'd love to connect and talk more about it!

    4Reply
    • Jason Renze
      OP
      Member since 2025 · 9 posts · 12 votes
      1y

      @Joseph Tadres Thanks for the reply! Definitely would love to talk more and get your take on the area. I'll send you a DM 

      0Reply
  • Zeke Liston
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Jason Renze:
    Hey everyone! I’m a new investor; just bought my first duplex as a house hack in Omaha Nebraska. Still learning the ropes of all this but I’m anticipating a move to Dayton Ohio (I’m active duty Air Force so Wright Pat AFB). Once I move I’d be looking at another small multifamily to house hack. Just looking to get to know some people in the area and understand the market a bit! What do you all think about Dayton and surrounding areas for investing, specifically for small multifamily? Thank you!
    Hi Jason, house hacking is such a solid way to start your real estate journey! Dayton has some solid neighborhoods, and there has been a lot of new development, including downtown projects, housing, infrastructure, and neighborhood revitalization. Areas around Wright-Patt AFB have steady rental demand given the military population, and parts of downtown are starting to make a real comeback. That said, there are also neighborhoods you’ll want to avoid, so having an agent who really knows the area can make all the difference in spotting the right deals. Good luck!
    1Reply
    • Jason Renze
      OP
      Member since 2025 · 9 posts · 12 votes
      1y

      @Zeke Liston thanks! Any neighborhoods in particular you would recommend focusing efforts on? I often see people recommend aiming for B-C neighborhoods but that seems somewhat subjective. 

      0Reply
    • Zeke Liston
      Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Jason Renze:

      @Zeke Liston thanks! Any neighborhoods in particular you would recommend focusing efforts on? I often see people recommend aiming for B-C neighborhoods but that seems somewhat subjective. 

      I’d recommend starting in a solid neighborhood, especially if you’re house-hacking as a new investor. Wrightview and Pleasant View are good options if you’re looking near Wright-Patt AFB. Starting in a stable area makes things a lot easier while you’re still learning the ropes of property management.

      3Reply
  • Mike PaolucciBusiness Member
    Realtor · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2022 · 504 posts · 556 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Jason Renze:
    Hey everyone! I’m a new investor; just bought my first duplex as a house hack in Omaha Nebraska. Still learning the ropes of all this but I’m anticipating a move to Dayton Ohio (I’m active duty Air Force so Wright Pat AFB). Once I move I’d be looking at another small multifamily to house hack. Just looking to get to know some people in the area and understand the market a bit! What do you all think about Dayton and surrounding areas for investing, specifically for small multifamily? Thank you!

    Hey Jason. Depending on how central you want to be to downtown or in the suburbs, I'd recommend places like:
    Near downtown - South Park, Oregon, Oakwood Belmont and parts of Walnut Hills. 

    Suburbs - Kettering, Huber Heights, Pleasant View (near Wright-Patterson), Wrightview (near Wright-Patterson), Englewood/Union just to name a couple.

    [email protected]614-892-9184
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  • Jimmy LieuBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Jason Renze:
    Hey everyone! I’m a new investor; just bought my first duplex as a house hack in Omaha Nebraska. Still learning the ropes of all this but I’m anticipating a move to Dayton Ohio (I’m active duty Air Force so Wright Pat AFB). Once I move I’d be looking at another small multifamily to house hack. Just looking to get to know some people in the area and understand the market a bit! What do you all think about Dayton and surrounding areas for investing, specifically for small multifamily? Thank you!
    Hey Jason, welcome to BP and congrats on getting that first duplex under your belt—that’s an awesome way to start. Dayton does have some opportunities in the small multifamily space, especially since it’s a more affordable market than a lot of others, but just keep in mind that appreciation there is slower and some neighborhoods can be very hit or miss depending on tenant quality. Since you’ll be at Wright-Patt, you’ll see solid rental demand from both military and local workforce, so it can work well if you buy in the right areas. That said, if you’re looking for a market nearby that’s on fire in terms of growth and long-term upside, I’d recommend also checking out Columbus, Ohio. The macroeconomics here are really strong—population growth, job growth, and major companies like Intel, Amazon, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Honda, LG, and more investing heavily. It’s one of the few markets where you can still find deals in the $120K–180K range that hit the 1% rule, cash flow from day one, and have great appreciation potential on top of it. Columbus is also very landlord-friendly which helps a lot when you’re house hacking or managing tenants. Happy to connect and answer any questions you have!
    [email protected]614-300-7535
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    • Jason Renze
      OP
      Member since 2025 · 9 posts · 12 votes
      1y

      @Jimmy Lieu thanks for the info! Currently considering Dayton since I'm looking at house hacking but will look further into Columbus for sure. Are there specific neighborhoods you would recommend/discourage buying in for Dayton specifically?

      0Reply
  • Remington LymanBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Jason Renze:
    Hey everyone! I’m a new investor; just bought my first duplex as a house hack in Omaha Nebraska. Still learning the ropes of all this but I’m anticipating a move to Dayton Ohio (I’m active duty Air Force so Wright Pat AFB). Once I move I’d be looking at another small multifamily to house hack. Just looking to get to know some people in the area and understand the market a bit! What do you all think about Dayton and surrounding areas for investing, specifically for small multifamily? Thank you!

     Welcome to real estate investing. Dayton is a cheap Midwest market. It is a relatively depressed city with little economic development but has great cash flow. I have some family that lives there and it is okay to visit. It would be a good place for a cheap house hack

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  • Michael K GallagherBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus OH · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    @Jason Renze as others have said here Dayton is a smaller midwest market with major economic drivers being the airforce base, medical, and the university.  There are some surrounding suburbs ie Centerville, kettering, beavercreek that see some appreciation but nothing worth writing home about.  The market is generally going to be best for a less expensive cashflow deal. 

    Generally you'll probably want to focus in an around those economic drivers for a house hack, and there is some smaller revitalization efforts happening in an around downtown.  I don't anticipate you finding much that will meet your criteria west of the river, but I generally consider west dayton "block by block" so you just gotta get on the ground and check it out.

    [email protected]614-362-2231
    1Reply
  • Austin McClainBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · OH · Member since 2021 · 350 posts · 603 votes
    1y

    I like Fairborn. It's close to the Air Force base, and is a solid area to buy and hold with a house hack. 

    That could be a good spot to target. 

    [email protected]614-710-4827
    3Reply
  • Arman AhmedPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 969 votes
    1y

    @Jason Renze

    Congrats on your first duplex, Jason house hacking is one of the best ways to get started. Dayton has been solid for small multifamily, with plenty of affordable properties that can still cash flow well. The key is knowing which neighborhoods are stable versus the ones with higher turnover, since that makes a big difference in tenant quality and long-term returns.

    [email protected]614-418-6081
    1Reply
  • Marc RiceBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Jason Renze:
    Hey everyone! I’m a new investor; just bought my first duplex as a house hack in Omaha Nebraska. Still learning the ropes of all this but I’m anticipating a move to Dayton Ohio (I’m active duty Air Force so Wright Pat AFB). Once I move I’d be looking at another small multifamily to house hack. Just looking to get to know some people in the area and understand the market a bit! What do you all think about Dayton and surrounding areas for investing, specifically for small multifamily? Thank you!

     Hey Jason, Dayton is a great market for investment; however, there are often some delayed maintenance work that comes up. It's really important to know the area well. I can help set you up with all my contacts in Dayton. Feel free to reach out.

    [email protected]614-363-2787
    Marc Rice | Investor Friendly Agent at Reafco Tailwind Team574 Reviews
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  • Alfath AhmedBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Jason Renze:
    Hey everyone! I’m a new investor; just bought my first duplex as a house hack in Omaha Nebraska. Still learning the ropes of all this but I’m anticipating a move to Dayton Ohio (I’m active duty Air Force so Wright Pat AFB). Once I move I’d be looking at another small multifamily to house hack. Just looking to get to know some people in the area and understand the market a bit! What do you all think about Dayton and surrounding areas for investing, specifically for small multifamily? Thank you!

     I own student housing in dayton and sell a ton of properties there off-market. Good market if you are looking for affordable housing. It's only 55 minutes from cbus and growing pretty fast. 

    [email protected]614-802-5698
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  • Jordan FioreBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2020 · 199 posts · 150 votes
    3w

    Late to this but Welcome to Ohio! — Dayton's a solid market for a house hack, especially near Wright-Patt where you'll have built-in rental demand. The advice in this thread about staying near the economic drivers is spot on. One thing I'd add: since you're military, look into VA loan options for the house hack — 0% down on a 1-4 unit is hard to beat. I'm based in Cincinnati (about 45 min south) and work with investors across the region — happy to connect if you want a second market to compare against Dayton. Cincinnati's small multifamily market has a lot of the same affordability with a bigger economic base.

    [email protected]513-646-1038
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  • Amanda Green
    New to Real Estate · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 7 posts · 2 votes
    6d

    I have a unique property with 2 small apartments currently, and it would be a great place to add 6 more over time. It's in St. Anne district in Dayton, about 15 minutes from WPAFB. DM to discuss it.

    0Reply
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