Excited to be here to learn and network with operators

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Excited to be here to learn and network with operators

Destine Jones
Rental Property Investor · Phoenix AZ · Member since 2026 · 2 posts · 2 votes

Hi everyone,

I am a new investor based overseas, diving headfirst into the US multifamily space. My primary focus is analyzing underperforming apartment buildings (4-8 units) that need physical rehab and operational turnaround. 

Operating remotely means I rely heavily on data, strict underwriting, and learning from local market experts. I chose this asset class because value-add multifamily deals offer incredible room for forced equity through strategic renovations.

I joined the Bigger Pockets community to learn from experienced operators, study local US market dynamics, and build genuine relationships with boots-on-the-ground professionals.

I look forward to participating in the forums, learning from your threads, and contributing value wherever I can as I scale my education. 


Glad to be here!

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Travis Goodwin
Wholesaler · Charleston WV · Member since 2026 · 219 posts · 119 votes
1mo

Since you’re operating overseas, the local team will be just as important as the numbers. Take your time building relationships with reliable property managers, contractors, lenders, agents, and inspectors. Underwriting may identify a good opportunity, but trustworthy people on the ground will determine whether the business plan actually works.

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  • James WachobBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Memphis, TN · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 887 votes
    1mo

    Hey @Destine Jones! Welcome to the community! Your approach makes a lot of sense, especially with a focus on strict underwriting and forced appreciation rather than simply relying on market appreciation. For 4–8 unit properties, having a strong understanding of rehab costs, rents, operating expenses, and the local buyer/renter demand is critical.

    Investing from overseas definitely makes the local team even more important. I'd spend as much time building relationships with an investor-friendly agent, property manager, contractor, and lender as you do analyzing the deals. Those boots-on-the-ground relationships can help validate what the numbers are telling you before you commit.

    I'm a real estate agent based in Memphis and work with out-of-state investors building rental portfolios. Memphis can be an interesting market for value-add multifamily because of the relatively affordable entry points and strong rental demand. If you're open to comparing markets as you continue your research, I'd be happy to connect and share what I'm seeing in Memphis.

    Best of luck with the multifamily search, and welcome to BiggerPockets!

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  • Jesus SuarezBusiness Member
    Lender · TX, FL · Member since 2025 · 131 posts · 51 votes
    1mo

    Welcome to BP! Investing in US multifamily from overseas is bold, love that you're going after the 4-8 unit value-add space specifically. One thing though - data can only tell you so much. Real estate is hyper local, and stuff like which streets to avoid or which contractor will actually show up doesn't show up in a spreadsheet. Lean hard into local agents, property managers, and lenders, they'll be your eyes and ears on the ground. Good luck!

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  • Travis Goodwin
    Wholesaler · Charleston WV · Member since 2026 · 219 posts · 119 votes
    1mo

    Since you’re operating overseas, the local team will be just as important as the numbers. Take your time building relationships with reliable property managers, contractors, lenders, agents, and inspectors. Underwriting may identify a good opportunity, but trustworthy people on the ground will determine whether the business plan actually works.

    1Reply
  • Jordan RayBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Memphis, TN · Member since 2023 · 620 posts · 317 votes
    1mo
    Quote from @Destine Jones:

    Hi everyone,

    I am a new investor based overseas, diving headfirst into the US multifamily space. My primary focus is analyzing underperforming apartment buildings (4-8 units) that need physical rehab and operational turnaround. 

    Operating remotely means I rely heavily on data, strict underwriting, and learning from local market experts. I chose this asset class because value-add multifamily deals offer incredible room for forced equity through strategic renovations.

    I joined the Bigger Pockets community to learn from experienced operators, study local US market dynamics, and build genuine relationships with boots-on-the-ground professionals.

    I look forward to participating in the forums, learning from your threads, and contributing value wherever I can as I scale my education. 


    Glad to be here!


    Welcome to BiggerPockets! I think you're approaching out-of-state investing the right way by putting a heavy emphasis on underwriting and building relationships with boots-on-the-ground professionals. Since you're targeting 4–8 unit value-add multifamily, I'd take a serious look at Memphis. There is a lot of older multifamily inventory here where the opportunity isn't necessarily just buying cheaply, but improving the physical condition, increasing rents where supported by the market, improving operations, and forcing appreciation through a higher NOI. I'd spend some time researching multiple markets initially and determining which one best aligns with your investment goals, but once you find that market, hone in on it and become an expert. Learn the neighborhoods, ARVs, rents, rehab costs, market trends, and what renovated versus unrenovated properties are actually trading for. Then build your portfolio there before expanding into additional markets. Being overseas makes the boots-on-the-ground team even more important, so I'd prioritize finding an investor-friendly agent who also owns rentals, a strong property manager, a reliable general contractor, and good hard money and DSCR/commercial lending contacts. If you decide to pursue smaller BRRRR opportunities in Memphis as well, we have local hard money lenders that can finance 100% of the purchase and 100% of the rehab, with many investors getting into deals with around $10,000 out of pocket before refinancing into long-term financing. With multifamily especially, I wouldn't rush to scale—get extremely good at understanding the numbers and the neighborhoods first, because that's ultimately what will allow you to confidently invest from thousands of miles away. Feel free to reach out, talk soon!

    [email protected]662-642-1458
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  • Ashish AcharyaBusiness Member
    CPA, CFP®, PFS · FL · Member since 2017 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1mo

    Destine, welcome to BiggerPockets. Since you’re investing from overseas, I’d put local execution and tax structure right alongside underwriting from day one.

    For 4–8 unit value-add deals, I'd focus on markets where you can build a dependable boots-on-the-ground team: broker, property manager, contractor, lender, inspector, and attorney. On the underwriting side, rebuild NOI from actual collections and expenses, then stress-test rehab overruns, vacancy, insurance, taxes, and slower lease-up. Remote investing leaves less room for weak operators.

    Because you're overseas, the U.S. tax side deserves attention before the first acquisition. If you're treated as a nonresident alien for U.S. tax purposes, U.S. rental income has special rules, including an election that may allow the income to be treated as effectively connected so attributable deductions can be claimed. Ownership structure can also affect estate-tax exposure, so I would not automatically form a U.S. LLC and assume the entity solves everything.

    Once a multifamily property is renovated and placed in service, I’d also evaluate cost segregation. It may accelerate depreciation, but the value depends on how the property is owned and whether the resulting losses are actually usable under the applicable passive-loss rules.

    For an overseas investor, getting the ownership, tax, and operating structure right before closing can matter just as much as finding the deal.

    Happy to connect!

    [email protected]941-914-7779
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  • Mohammed Rahman
    Real Estate Broker · New York, NY · Member since 2020 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1mo

    Hey Destine,

    Welcome to BP! I’d put a lot of emphasis on having reliable local boots on the ground, especially a property manager, contractor, and someone who can physically walk properties and verify your assumptions. Rehab costs, achievable rents, tenant demand, and even the condition of a property can be very different from what the initial data suggests.

    Best of luck with the multifamily journey. Always happy to connect and help any way I can - my DMs are always open!

    0Reply
  • Destine Jones
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Phoenix AZ · Member since 2026 · 2 posts · 2 votes
    1d

    Thank you for that.

    That seems to be all I’m doing now.  Lol I appreciate the feedback back. 

    0Reply
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