Building a Cleveland team (focus: agents & property managers)

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Building a Cleveland team (focus: agents & property managers)

Sandy Metivier
Rental Property Investor · San Francisco, CA · Member since 2020 · 38 posts · 35 votes

Hi Cleveland folks!

We are a queer married couple from San Francisco looking to expand our REI portfolio in Cleveland. We led with that detail about our identity as lesbians because we want to build a gay-friendly team and avoid any friction in this area down the road. Another important value for us is that they not be racist, which sadly comes up a lot in real estate.

Okay, on with the actual ask... We have REI history in vacation rentals, and now want to focus on long term buy and holds for cash flow. We are interested both SFH and multi-family properties. To start we looking for good deals on properties that would not need much improvement to rent out. Later down the line as we have a good team in place we may be interested in trying the BRRRR strategy on a property that would need more TLC.

If y'all have any recommendations/referrals to build out a great Cleveland team, we'd greatly appreciate it! Our current focus is to find investor-friendly agents and property managers.

Thanks in advance!

-Sandy & Carrie

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Brian Garlington
Realtor · Oakland, CA and a Real Estate Investor with Multi-Family Units and a Self Storage Facility · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
5y

Hi Sandy! I’m right across the bridge in Oakland and I have rentals in Cleveland as well as the East Bay. If you have not done so already I strongly recommend you add to your “list” to get preapproved with a lender. Even if you are paying cash. The first time I flew out to Cleveland I had cash in hand (actually the bank) and was ready to deal.... silly me.... thinking I would be taken seriously out there.... apparently too many agents have been burned by tire kickers from out of state that are “cash buyers” that end up doing nothing.  If you need a lender out there I know one that will do mortgages on properties as low as $45K.

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  • Michael Orlando
    Investor · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2019 · 147 posts · 156 votes
    5y

    Hey Sandy!

    I grew up in Cleveland, currently live here and invest here with my best friend / partner. We buy 20+ unit deals here, but he's also an agent and sells smaller multifamily and SFH portfolios. I could definitely connect you with him if you'd like!


    We have built ourselves a pretty good team here for our multifamily acquisitions but are always looking to network with more investors and see how we could work together. If you're interested in connecting let me know and I'd love to hop on a call :)

    1Reply
  • Marc RiceBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    5y

    @Sandy Metivier

    Cleveland is a good cash flow market, but not so much regarding appreciation. If you ever need help looking into Columbus, Ohio I’m happy to connect you with some great local resources here!

    [email protected]614-363-2787
    Marc Rice | Investor Friendly Agent at Reafco Tailwind Team574 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Sandy Metivier
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · San Francisco, CA · Member since 2020 · 38 posts · 35 votes
    5y

    @Michael Orlando - Thanks for the response! Yeah, I'd definitely be interested in hopping on a call to chat about the Cleveland market. And if you could send your agent friend's info my way, that would be great too. 

    I am just now realizing I posted this thread in the Indy forum... oops. I don't see a way to edit that, so I may just re-post my original message in the correct forum (ie Cleveland). 

    0Reply
  • Sandy Metivier
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · San Francisco, CA · Member since 2020 · 38 posts · 35 votes
    5y

    Thanks @Marc Rice, I am not currently shopping in Columbus, but appreciate the Cleveland note on cash flow! And if I throw Columbus into the mix later down the road I'll be sure to reach out.

    1Reply
  • Marc RiceBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    5y

    @Sandy Metivier

    Best of luck! Cleveland is a great city overall.

    [email protected]614-363-2787
    Marc Rice | Investor Friendly Agent at Reafco Tailwind Team574 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Brian Garlington
    Realtor · Oakland, CA and a Real Estate Investor with Multi-Family Units and a Self Storage Facility · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    5y

    Hi Sandy! I’m right across the bridge in Oakland and I have rentals in Cleveland as well as the East Bay. If you have not done so already I strongly recommend you add to your “list” to get preapproved with a lender. Even if you are paying cash. The first time I flew out to Cleveland I had cash in hand (actually the bank) and was ready to deal.... silly me.... thinking I would be taken seriously out there.... apparently too many agents have been burned by tire kickers from out of state that are “cash buyers” that end up doing nothing.  If you need a lender out there I know one that will do mortgages on properties as low as $45K.

    3Reply
  • Shane Cloutier
    New to Real Estate · Dalton, NH · Member since 2020 · 116 posts · 64 votes
    5y

    Hello everyone, my wife and I are from NH and are also looking to invest in Ohio. We haven't nailed down a specific city yet as we are investigating the options. We would love to add all of you to our constantly expanding network of contacts. We are hoping to work on cash flowing properties and just like @Sandy Metivier, eventually do some BRRRRs. @Brian Garlington we would be grateful to have the contact information on your lender. And @Michael Orlando we would also like to call you and chat at some point. If we can ever help anyone here feel free to drop us a line and we will answer any questions or help in any way we can. Good hunting to you!

    1Reply
  • Sandy Metivier
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · San Francisco, CA · Member since 2020 · 38 posts · 35 votes
    5y

    Great advice @Brian Garlington! Thank you. I will get moving on that. I just sent you a connection invite, I'd love to chat with you more, especially around your section 8 SFH.

    0Reply
  • James Wise
    Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 30k+ posts · 20k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Sandy Metivier:

    Hi Cleveland folks!

    We are a queer married couple from San Francisco looking to expand our REI portfolio in Cleveland. We led with that detail about our identity as lesbians because we want to build a gay-friendly team and avoid any friction in this area down the road. Another important value for us is that they not be racist, which sadly comes up a lot in real estate.

    Okay, on with the actual ask... We have REI history in vacation rentals, and now want to focus on long term buy and holds for cash flow. We are interested both SFH and multi-family properties. To start we looking for good deals on properties that would not need much improvement to rent out. Later down the line as we have a good team in place we may be interested in trying the BRRRR strategy on a property that would need more TLC.

    If y'all have any recommendations/referrals to build out a great Cleveland team, we'd greatly appreciate it! Our current focus is to find investor-friendly agents and property managers.

    Thanks in advance!

    -Sandy & Carrie

     Welcome aboard Sandy and Carrie.....As you get into the ground on the Cleveland market I you'll probably want to take a look at The Ultimate Guide to Grading Cleveland Neighborhoods. Should help you as you navigate through various levels of neighborhood risk.

    0Reply
  • Brian Garlington
    Realtor · Oakland, CA and a Real Estate Investor with Multi-Family Units and a Self Storage Facility · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    5y

    A tip to the people on this thread........

    If you do ultimately hire an agent and/or PM in Cleveland make absolutely sure you SPEAK (not just text or email).....to the agent and/or PM before you let them represent you as an agent or PM.

    2Reply
  • Sandy Metivier
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · San Francisco, CA · Member since 2020 · 38 posts · 35 votes
    5y

    @James Wise Excellent! Thank you for that grading link, I had not come across that yet.

    @Brian Garlington solid advice, and I would hope to assume everyone would say "of course, obviously!" but given the generation hooked on text communication I'd imagine some folks do proceed in this inappropriate manner. Eek!

    0Reply
  • Adedayo Shittu
    Member since 2019 · 2 posts · 1 vote
    4y

    @Michael Orlando

    Hey michael, I’m also very new in the Cleveland market. Can you connect me with your friend that sells smaller multi family

    1Reply
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