New Investor in Cleveland, OH

New Investor in Cleveland, OH

Dave StokleyBusiness Member
Property Manager · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2015 · 699 posts · 799 votes

Recently signed up for  PRO membership to get more serious about my investing. 

I got started about 15 months ago after being hypnotized by Grant Cardone, and somehow convinced my wife to buy a 3-family house. After kicking out the bad tenants (one of whom was running a hair salon out of the apartment) I was able to do some minor cosmetic upgrade myself and increased all the rents 50%. It has been a great experience and I'm excited to take the next step.

I am currently in the market for another multi-family, preferably on the West side of Cleveland. I am also considering partnering with a friend on either another multi-family or a flip.

My personal goal is to acquire 40 units by the end of 2025, starting with 5 this year.

Thanks to everyone who contributes to this awesome resource.

Cheers,

Dave

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Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 30k+ posts · 20k+ votes
9y

Welcome to the site @Dave Stokley

Awesome story, sweat equity at it's finest.

If you are going to buy all those homes you may benefit from becoming an agent yourself. Nobody can get to a hot deal quicker then yourself!

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  • David TerbeekPro Member
    Property Manager · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2016 · 260 posts · 162 votes
    9y

    Dave-  Welcome to BP.  Sounds like a great success story for your first endeavor.  I hope that they all go that well.

  • Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 30k+ posts · 20k+ votes
    9y

    Welcome to the site @Dave Stokley

    Awesome story, sweat equity at it's finest.

    If you are going to buy all those homes you may benefit from becoming an agent yourself. Nobody can get to a hot deal quicker then yourself!

  • Rental Property Investor · Davenport, FL · Member since 2016 · 593 posts · 382 votes
    9y

    @Dave Stokley Excellent. Welcome and good luck with your future investments. 

  • Real Estate Agent · Willoughby, OH · Member since 2014 · 560 posts · 690 votes
    9y

    Funny how identical our goals are. I am currently looking for a 3 or 4 unit, but on the east side. Just like @James Wise eluded too, I just got my license in December so that I can pounce on something when it pops up. Welcome to the site!

  • Dave StokleyBusiness Member
    OP
    Property Manager · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2015 · 699 posts · 799 votes
    9y

    Thanks @James Wise and @Jeff Brower I have actually been thinking about this for two reasons:

    1. I don't want to wait until my agent is available to see a property.

    2. I prefer to negotiate directly rather than through someone else without knowing exactly what is being said.

    Do I want to become an agent or broker? I've heard people suggest both...

  • Real Estate Agent · Willoughby, OH · Member since 2014 · 560 posts · 690 votes
    9y

    You must become an agent first. After 2 or 3 years (cant remember which at the moment), some business courses, and the test, you can become a broker. Im sure James can explain more since he is one.

  • Real Estate Agent · Willoughby, OH · Member since 2014 · 560 posts · 690 votes
    9y

    Requirements for an Ohio Real Estate Broker’s License

    The applicant must hold an active salesperson license for two (2) of the last five (5) years and comply with the following requirements:

  • If licensed prior to 1/01/1972, no further education is due
  • If licensed from 1/02/72 to 1/03/84, you must have taken the required 120 hours
  • (courses #1 - 4 listed below)

    • If licensed on or after 1/03/84, you must have taken courses #1 - 8 listed below and possess a minimum of two years of post-secondary education (#9), or the equivalent hours of sixty (60) semester or ninety (90) quarter hours.

    Education Requirements

    1. Ohio Real Estate Law (40 hours)

    2. Ohio Real Estate Principles & Practices (40 hours)

    3. Real Estate Appraisal (20 hours)

    4. Real Estate Finance (20 hours)

    5. A Financial Management course

    6. A Human Resources or Personnel Management course

    7. An Applied Business Economics course

    8. A Business Law course

    9. A minimum of two years of post-secondary education, or equivalent hours of (60) sixty semester or (90) ninety quarter hours. Courses #5 – 8 may be included in your postsecondary education

    Experience Requirements – 20 transactions

    The Division calculates the transactions to ensure the applicant meets a total of twenty by using the following formulas:

  • Listing agent in the sale of property owned by another = ½ transaction
  • Selling agent in the sale of property owned by another = ½ transaction
  • Listing agent in the lease of commercial or industrial real estate owned by another for a term of at least one year = ½ transaction
  • Procuring agent in the lease of commercial or industrial real estate owned by another for a term of at least one year = ½ transaction
  • Listing and /or procuring agent in the lease of four residential real estate properties owned by another for a term of at least one-year = 1 transaction
  • Dave StokleyBusiness Member
    OP
    Property Manager · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2015 · 699 posts · 799 votes
    9y

    Thanks @Jeff Brower...where did you take your classes?

  • Real Estate Agent · Willoughby, OH · Member since 2014 · 560 posts · 690 votes
    9y

    I did the classes at Lakeland community college in Kirtland. Mid January to mid May, Tues-Thurs, 3 hrs per night. Many local folks go to hondros as well.

  • Realtor · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2015 · 18 posts · 7 votes
    9y

    Awesome goals!! Wishing you the best of luck!

  • Professional · Carlsbad, CA · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    @Dave Stokley

    Welcome to Bigger Pockets. The Bigger Pockets book store if full of great books: https://www.biggerpockets.com/store

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