New out of state investor from Washington state

New out of state investor from Washington state

Auburn, WA · Member since 2018 · 2 posts · 1 vote

Hello. My name is Alex and I'm 27. I'm from the Puget Sound area of Washington and I'm looking to get started investing out of state. I've mostly been browsing the midwest and and parts of the south, particularly Chicago, Ohio, Milwaukee, Atlanta, etc. If anyone has any experience getting started in those markets I would be very interested in speaking with you. If you've had success somewhere else I'd also be interested in hearing about that. I'm not particularly set on location at this point.

Thanks. I'm looking forward to making some great connections here.

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Rental Property Investor · Vancouver, WA · Member since 2015 · 112 posts · 142 votes
8y

Hi Alex, well- I did the same thing. I invested in Dayton Ohio. Why Dayton, well ...........the numbers Alex!! I actually went out to see the homes first. Turn key rentals met the management team and all seemed great. Most of the rentals were section 8 so  as an example I picked up a sfh for 25k and it rented out for 700 a month. All was well and good until the management fell apart and I went too fast. I picked up 13 doors without giving myself time with the management. Soo accounting was off, checks were late. He didnt evict in a timely way and suddenly my profit slipped into a loss on some of the units. We as an example, evicted a tenant. The management company left the unit unlocked and was not even sure the tenant had left until 3 days later. The fact is that tenants left it a mess. But... as a former flipper I had an idea that would cost maaaayyyybbbee 2k to get it back rent ready. The management company wanted 13k. Needless to say, I switched to a new management company now and all is well in the world. Bottom line is that it is better to go slow than to go fast especially if you are not from wherever it is that you decide to invest.  My thinking for Dayton is shoot even if I really mess this up, I was only out less than 20k per door. In contrast if I miss the numbers here in Vancouver, my initial investment is going to be at least 10x what I paid for a Dayton home.   Hope this helps!

All the best and welcome to BP!

Paige 

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  • Real Estate Agent · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2015 · 295 posts · 117 votes
    8y

    Hey Alex, I am an agent in the Atlanta area and work exclusively with investors. I am adding you and messaging you. 

  • Contractor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2015 · 887 posts · 323 votes
    8y

    @Alex Weisberg

    Welcome to BP! I am just starting out in the Milwaukee area. I was there the first week of April. I really feel its a great place to invest. Just make sure you pay attention to neighborhoods and streets as areas, and prices may vary from street to street. Private message me and we can exchange contact info if you like.

    Jorge

  • Real Estate Professional · Decatur, GA · Member since 2013 · 35 posts · 14 votes
    8y

    Alex,

    I am an agent in Atlanta, been here since 1980, on my own in real estate for the past 20 years doing a little bit of everything, you can check out my profile.  If you need help, please reach out to me.
    Thanks!
    TOM

  • Auburn, WA · Member since 2018 · 2 posts · 1 vote
    8y

    Thank you for the warm welcome. I look forward to hearing more from you all. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Honolulu, HAWAII (HI) · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    8y
    Alex Weisberg I started with a couple seattle rentals in 2009. Then I went for cashflow out of state. Let me know if you have any specific questions.
  • Specialist · New Smyrna Beach, FL · Member since 2018 · 30 posts · 16 votes
    8y
    I'm in sunny Florida... moved here from Tacoma 9 months ago. Lived there all my life and decided it was time for a change. I'll keep an eye out maybe we can work on a deal together in the future
  • Rental Property Investor · Vancouver, WA · Member since 2015 · 112 posts · 142 votes
    8y

    Hi Alex, well- I did the same thing. I invested in Dayton Ohio. Why Dayton, well ...........the numbers Alex!! I actually went out to see the homes first. Turn key rentals met the management team and all seemed great. Most of the rentals were section 8 so  as an example I picked up a sfh for 25k and it rented out for 700 a month. All was well and good until the management fell apart and I went too fast. I picked up 13 doors without giving myself time with the management. Soo accounting was off, checks were late. He didnt evict in a timely way and suddenly my profit slipped into a loss on some of the units. We as an example, evicted a tenant. The management company left the unit unlocked and was not even sure the tenant had left until 3 days later. The fact is that tenants left it a mess. But... as a former flipper I had an idea that would cost maaaayyyybbbee 2k to get it back rent ready. The management company wanted 13k. Needless to say, I switched to a new management company now and all is well in the world. Bottom line is that it is better to go slow than to go fast especially if you are not from wherever it is that you decide to invest.  My thinking for Dayton is shoot even if I really mess this up, I was only out less than 20k per door. In contrast if I miss the numbers here in Vancouver, my initial investment is going to be at least 10x what I paid for a Dayton home.   Hope this helps!

    All the best and welcome to BP!

    Paige 

  • Equity Raiser and Turnkey Provider · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    8y
    Originally posted by @Alex Weisberg:

    Hello. My name is Alex and I'm 27. I'm from the Puget Sound area of Washington and I'm looking to get started investing out of state. I've mostly been browsing the midwest and and parts of the south, particularly Chicago, Ohio, Milwaukee, Atlanta, etc. If anyone has any experience getting started in those markets I would be very interested in speaking with you. If you've had success somewhere else I'd also be interested in hearing about that. I'm not particularly set on location at this point.

    Thanks. I'm looking forward to making some great connections here.

     Hello and welcome! Best of luck to you!

  • Ozzy SmithPro Member
    Specialist · Dayton, OH · Member since 2014 · 352 posts · 265 votes
    8y

    Just what @Paige Kelsey said. I’ve looked at many different markets and believe there is no better place to invest than Dayton.  I do have a bit of experience with this sort of thing so if you ever want to talk about the Dayton market drop me a line

  • Real Estate Agent · Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 715 posts · 138 votes
    8y
    Alex Weisberg Welcome to BiggerPockets! It is great to have you and please feel free to jump in the community - there are certainly great people around here
  • Real Estate Coach · Venice Beach, CA · Member since 2012 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    8y

    What kind of property are you wanting to buy? Just a straight buy-and-hold or something to fix up, or a flip, or what?

  • Rental Property Investor · Honolulu, HAWAII (HI) · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    8y
    Alex Weisberg I lived in seattle and bought in Indy Atlanta and Birmingham. Let me know if I can help.
  • Justin CambraPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2017 · 48 posts · 29 votes
    8y

    @Alex Weisberg i live in south seattle and invest in Milwaukee and Detroit. Feel free to message me if you want to talk or meet for coffee. 

    All the best,

    JC

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