New here! Trying to get my sea legs

Los Angeles County, California
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New here! Trying to get my sea legs

Evan Okada
Member since 2025 · 1 post · 5 votes
Hey BP, Long-time listener, first-time caller here. I’m 36, living in LA with my girlfriend and our 3-month-old. I’ve spent my career in the film industry doing post-production, but with the way work has been lately, I’m ready to pivot. My partner actually got me hooked on the BP podcast about a year ago, and we’re officially ready to stop lurking and start building a better future for our family. We’re currently eyeing STR/MTR out of state, but I’m also keeping my eyes peeled for anything in our own backyard (even if the LA prices are a bit wild). I’m here to learn as much as possible, but I also want to be useful. If you’re an investor in LA—or anywhere, really—and need a hand, let me know. I’m handy, I work hard, and I’ve got professional skills in photography, video, and drone work. If you need some killer shots of a listing or a project, I’m your guy. Looking forward to catching you guys in the threads and growing together!
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  • Brian Hollingsworth
    Cleveland, OH · Member since 2015 · 31 posts · 9 votes
    9mo

    Welcome 👋 and congrats on the growing family — that’s a big motivator to make a move.

    A pivot like that makes a lot of sense right now, especially with how unpredictable film/post has been. STR/MTR out of state is a solid angle, particularly if you're pairing it with strong data and boots-on-the-ground partners. And yeah… LA can work, but the margin for error is razor thin unless you’re very strategic.

    A couple thoughts that might help as you ramp up:

    • Get very clear on regulations early (especially STR/MTR — city and county rules can make or break a deal).
    • Build a small but strong local team in whatever out-of-state market you choose before you buy.
    • Don't underestimate how valuable your skill set is — high-quality photos/video/drone work is huge for investors, agents, and STR operators.

    BP is a great place to learn and contribute, and offering real value like that is how relationships actually turn into opportunities.

    Glad you’re here — looking forward to seeing you around the forums.

    0Reply
  • Kerlous TadresBusiness Member
    Realtor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9mo

    I’d recommend you pick 2–3 out-of-state markets and only chase deals that cash flow with conservative numbers (regular rent, vacancy, reserves).

    [email protected]614-490-1163
    Kerlous Tadres | Reafco Real Estate542 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Jimmy LieuBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9mo
    Quote from @Evan Okada:
    Hey BP, Long-time listener, first-time caller here. I’m 36, living in LA with my girlfriend and our 3-month-old. I’ve spent my career in the film industry doing post-production, but with the way work has been lately, I’m ready to pivot. My partner actually got me hooked on the BP podcast about a year ago, and we’re officially ready to stop lurking and start building a better future for our family. We’re currently eyeing STR/MTR out of state, but I’m also keeping my eyes peeled for anything in our own backyard (even if the LA prices are a bit wild). I’m here to learn as much as possible, but I also want to be useful. If you’re an investor in LA—or anywhere, really—and need a hand, let me know. I’m handy, I work hard, and I’ve got professional skills in photography, video, and drone work. If you need some killer shots of a listing or a project, I’m your guy. Looking forward to catching you guys in the threads and growing together!

    Welcome to BP, Evan! Excited to see you diving in and thinking about building a future for your family, and it sounds like you’ve got a great mindset for learning while contributing at the same time. If you’re exploring out-of-state STRs or long-term rentals, one market that’s really been strong for investors is Columbus, Ohio. The city has a ton of growth happening with population increases, job creation, and major companies like Intel, Amazon, Google, Facebook, Honda, Microsoft, and LG investing heavily here, which drives both demand and long-term appreciation. You can still find single-family homes or small multis in the $120K–180K range that hit the 1% rule and cash flow from day one, which is perfect for someone building a portfolio from afar. Plus, having professional skills like photography and drone work can actually give you a leg up in showcasing properties and marketing them if you ever decide to manage rentals or partner with other investors locally. It’s a market that allows you to start small, get your first deals under your belt, and scale strategically. Happy to connect and answer any questions you have!

    [email protected]614-300-7535
    Jimmy Lieu, Red 1 Realty4.9124 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Arman AhmedPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 969 votes
    9mo

    @Evan Okada

    STR and MTR can be great strategies, especially if you pair them with strong market research and local support out of state. The biggest wins often come from starting with one solid property, building relationships with local property managers and contractors, and leveraging creative financing or off-market deals rather than chasing expensive LA prices right away. Keep learning, keep connecting, and don't underestimate the value of boots-on-the-ground support in any market you target.

    [email protected]614-418-6081
    0Reply
  • Garret Rumbea
    Inland Empire, CA · Member since 2017 · 151 posts · 80 votes
    9mo

    Hey Evan, good to meet you. I'm based in Temecula area and my partners out of the beach cities. We invest in larger multifamily out of state. Happy to connect 

    0Reply
  • Marc RiceBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9mo
    Quote from @Evan Okada:
    Hey BP, Long-time listener, first-time caller here. I’m 36, living in LA with my girlfriend and our 3-month-old. I’ve spent my career in the film industry doing post-production, but with the way work has been lately, I’m ready to pivot. My partner actually got me hooked on the BP podcast about a year ago, and we’re officially ready to stop lurking and start building a better future for our family. We’re currently eyeing STR/MTR out of state, but I’m also keeping my eyes peeled for anything in our own backyard (even if the LA prices are a bit wild). I’m here to learn as much as possible, but I also want to be useful. If you’re an investor in LA—or anywhere, really—and need a hand, let me know. I’m handy, I work hard, and I’ve got professional skills in photography, video, and drone work. If you need some killer shots of a listing or a project, I’m your guy. Looking forward to catching you guys in the threads and growing together!

    As your first out of state investment, I would advise looking at the midwest markets. Easy entry and a stable market. Happy to help!

    [email protected]614-363-2787
    Marc Rice | Investor Friendly Agent at Reafco Tailwind Team574 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
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