Building a team

Building a team

Taylor KellerPro Member
Investor · Member since 2022 · 2 posts · 10 votes

Hello Everyone,

My name is Taylor. A business partner and I are currently exploring investment opportunities in Cleveland, OH. I am in the process of selling one of my rental properties and refinancing another to free up capital for the purchase of a multifamily property. Similarly, my partner is working on refinancing one of his properties to secure additional funds.

Our goal is to invest in a multifamily complex or larger property. The purpose of this post is to introduce ourselves and begin building a local team to serve as our “boots on the ground.”

We would greatly appreciate any feedback on the advantages and challenges of investing in the Cleveland market, as well as any advice or insights you can share. We look forward to connecting with like-minded professionals in the area.

Thank you!

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Real Estate Broker · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2016 · 146 posts · 110 votes
1y

Hi Taylor,

Cleveland has continued to attract both local and out of state investors due to its relatively low acquisition costs, strong rental demand in key neighborhoods, and potential for value add opportunities, especially in multifamily. Areas like Old Brooklyn, West Park, and parts of the East Side (such as South Euclid or Cleveland Heights) have seen steady interest due to stable tenant bases and decent rent to price ratios.

A few things to keep in mind, property management and local maintenance are crucial, especially in older buildings. Having reliable contractors or a management team that understands how to work within Cleveland’s housing codes is a must.

Insurance and property taxes can vary significantly depending on neighborhood and building age. Make sure to factor that into your cash flow analysis, especially with older multifamily units.

Financing can get tricky for larger properties depending on the neighborhood classification, some lenders are conservative in certain zip codes. Working with a lender familiar with Cleveland’s submarkets can help.

Happy to see investors taking a strategic approach and building a local team early. Many blessings to you as you grow your real estate portfolio!

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  • Arman AhmedPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 917 votes
    1y

    @Taylor Keller

    Welcome, Taylor! It’s great to hear you’re targeting Cleveland — there’s definitely opportunity here, especially for multifamily. Investors I know appreciate the affordability, solid tenant demand, and the chance to force appreciation with value-add plays. Like any market, neighborhood selection and having a reliable local team can make or break deals. Excited to see how your journey unfolds — feel free to keep us posted on your progress!

  • Samuel DioufBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus & Cleveland, OH · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    Hey Taylor,

    Cleveland is a great market to invest in!

    I'd be happy to send you a graded map of the area and a share list of useful contacts.

    When doing BRRRs or flips in this market making sure that your contractor is solid will be crucial to your success. A lot of investors get burned by bad contractors. 

  • Member since 2024 · 18 posts · 8 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Aristotle Kumpis:

    I work with a great team in Cleveland if you are interested. Right now, they have a 12-unit listed for sale at $620K. They have SFR's and multi family. I would be happy to make the connection for you.


     Curious. on that specific 12 unit what is the rent per unit? At 620k its seems like a fairly reasonable deal with good cash flow?  Excuse the lack of acronyms!

  • Denise SuppleeBusiness Member
    Realtor · Willow Grove, PA · Member since 2017 · 974 posts · 641 votes
    1y

    Hi @Taylor Keller, nice to meet you! Cleveland has some solid advantages..affordable entry points, strong rental demand in certain neighborhoods, and decent cash flow potential. That said, like any market, it comes with challenges too, some areas can be hit or miss, so having a reliable local team is key. Building relationships with a great property manager, contractor, and agent who really know the area will make a big difference. If you haven’t already, dig into local zoning and landlord-tenant laws too—Ohio’s generally landlord-friendly, but Cleveland has specific regs to be aware of.

    Best of luck to you and your partner! Excited to see how things unfold for you!

    Spark Rental Co-Investing Club577 Reviews
  • Michael SmytheBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Metro Detroit · Member since 2023 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y

    @Taylor Keller recommend you contact @James Wise and buy him lunch to pick his brain!

    Logical Property Management4.9446 Reviews
  • Specialist · Long Beach, CA · Member since 2011 · 875 posts · 394 votes
    1y
    Quote from @John J Kelly III:
    Quote from @Aristotle Kumpis:

    I work with a great team in Cleveland if you are interested. Right now, they have a 12-unit listed for sale at $620K. They have SFR's and multi family. I would be happy to make the connection for you.


     Curious. on that specific 12 unit what is the rent per unit? At 620k its seems like a fairly reasonable deal with good cash flow?  Excuse the lack of acronyms!

    Market rent is $900 per unit.
  • Real Estate Agent · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2020 · 67 posts · 83 votes
    1y

    Hi Taylor- Congrats on having a few properties already! I am an investor focused agent and I've put a lot of time putting together my website where I compile all of the best properties - I also have a team that is on top of the market and is also constantly scouring all possible sources for the best off-market deals as well. Only the best-of-the-best properties are posted with a detailed evaluation 

    Having my team in place allows us to stay on top of things while also allowing me to go build relationships to get you access to better properties + actually get your offers accepted! I'd love a shot to work together

    *Just FYI -if you do check out the site- you would have to register to view the properties (Ohio Regulations)

    • Taylor KellerPro Member
      OP
      Investor · Member since 2022 · 2 posts · 10 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Andrew Duna:

      Hi Taylor- Congrats on having a few properties already! I am an investor focused agent and I've put a lot of time putting together my website where I compile all of the best properties - I also have a team that is on top of the market and is also constantly scouring all possible sources for the best off-market deals as well. Only the best-of-the-best properties are posted with a detailed evaluation 

      Having my team in place allows us to stay on top of things while also allowing me to go build relationships to get you access to better properties + actually get your offers accepted! I'd love a shot to work together

      *Just FYI -if you do check out the site- you would have to register to view the properties (Ohio Regulations)


       Good Morning, Andrew!




      Thank you for reaching out—and I really appreciate the insight about the Ohio regulations. That’s definitely helpful to know as we start navigating the market more seriously.


      It sounds like you’ve put a ton of work into building a system that brings real value to investors. I can tell you really understand what it takes to not just find deals, but actually get them closed. That’s huge.


      Quick question for you—how do you balance sourcing off-market deals with making sure the numbers and long-term potential of the properties still hold up in today’s market? I’d love to hear your perspective.


      Also, my partner and I are currently in the process of building a team. Our goal is not only to build wealth for ourselves, but to help everyone on our team grow as well. We’re compiling a list of questions to make sure we’re all aligned before moving forward.


      Would you be open to answering a few of those when the time comes?


      Looking forward to connecting more.


      Best,
      Taylor 


    • Real Estate Agent · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2020 · 67 posts · 83 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Taylor Keller:
      Quote from @Andrew Duna:

      Hi Taylor- Congrats on having a few properties already! I am an investor focused agent and I've put a lot of time putting together my website where I compile all of the best properties - I also have a team that is on top of the market and is also constantly scouring all possible sources for the best off-market deals as well. Only the best-of-the-best properties are posted with a detailed evaluation 

      Having my team in place allows us to stay on top of things while also allowing me to go build relationships to get you access to better properties + actually get your offers accepted! I'd love a shot to work together

      *Just FYI -if you do check out the site- you would have to register to view the properties (Ohio Regulations)


       Good Morning, Andrew!




      Thank you for reaching out—and I really appreciate the insight about the Ohio regulations. That’s definitely helpful to know as we start navigating the market more seriously.


      It sounds like you’ve put a ton of work into building a system that brings real value to investors. I can tell you really understand what it takes to not just find deals, but actually get them closed. That’s huge.


      Quick question for you—how do you balance sourcing off-market deals with making sure the numbers and long-term potential of the properties still hold up in today’s market? I’d love to hear your perspective.


      Also, my partner and I are currently in the process of building a team. Our goal is not only to build wealth for ourselves, but to help everyone on our team grow as well. We’re compiling a list of questions to make sure we’re all aligned before moving forward.


      Would you be open to answering a few of those when the time comes?


      Looking forward to connecting more.


      Best,
      Taylor 



       Hey Taylor-  Sure thing- The way I balance those two is because I've built out a rigorous + standardized underwriting system and have a team that is trained on how to evaluate these properties + I'm constantly reaching out to people to try and find you the best deals (to then put those through the underwriting before recommending them to you)

  • Kerlous TadresBusiness Member
    Realtor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    Hey Taylor, Cleveland can definitely be a strong market for multifamily investments. From my experience, cash flow tends to be solid, especially in areas with stable rental demand like Ohio City and Tremont. That said, you’ll want to focus on properties with value-add potential. There’s a lot of older inventory that needs work, but it can really pay off in terms of appreciation once renovated. The local economy is diverse, but don’t overlook the neighborhoods with some rough patches. Vacancy rates can be higher in certain areas, so it's important to do your research. Also, building a local team is crucial here. Having a good property manager, contractor, and even a local attorney who knows the ropes can save you time and headaches.

    Kerlous Tadres | Reafco Real Estate540 Reviews
  • Remington LymanBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Taylor Keller:

    Hello Everyone,

    My name is Taylor. A business partner and I are currently exploring investment opportunities in Cleveland, OH. I am in the process of selling one of my rental properties and refinancing another to free up capital for the purchase of a multifamily property. Similarly, my partner is working on refinancing one of his properties to secure additional funds.

    Our goal is to invest in a multifamily complex or larger property. The purpose of this post is to introduce ourselves and begin building a local team to serve as our “boots on the ground.”

    We would greatly appreciate any feedback on the advantages and challenges of investing in the Cleveland market, as well as any advice or insights you can share. We look forward to connecting with like-minded professionals in the area.

    Thank you!


     Welcome to BP. You came to the right place

  • Real Estate Broker · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2016 · 146 posts · 110 votes
    1y

    Hi Taylor,

    Cleveland has continued to attract both local and out of state investors due to its relatively low acquisition costs, strong rental demand in key neighborhoods, and potential for value add opportunities, especially in multifamily. Areas like Old Brooklyn, West Park, and parts of the East Side (such as South Euclid or Cleveland Heights) have seen steady interest due to stable tenant bases and decent rent to price ratios.

    A few things to keep in mind, property management and local maintenance are crucial, especially in older buildings. Having reliable contractors or a management team that understands how to work within Cleveland’s housing codes is a must.

    Insurance and property taxes can vary significantly depending on neighborhood and building age. Make sure to factor that into your cash flow analysis, especially with older multifamily units.

    Financing can get tricky for larger properties depending on the neighborhood classification, some lenders are conservative in certain zip codes. Working with a lender familiar with Cleveland’s submarkets can help.

    Happy to see investors taking a strategic approach and building a local team early. Many blessings to you as you grow your real estate portfolio!

    • Specialist · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2017 · 418 posts · 126 votes
      1y
      Quote from @R. Elle Berry:

      Hi Taylor,

      Cleveland has continued to attract both local and out of state investors due to its relatively low acquisition costs, strong rental demand in key neighborhoods, and potential for value add opportunities, especially in multifamily. Areas like Old Brooklyn, West Park, and parts of the East Side (such as South Euclid or Cleveland Heights) have seen steady interest due to stable tenant bases and decent rent to price ratios.

      A few things to keep in mind, property management and local maintenance are crucial, especially in older buildings. Having reliable contractors or a management team that understands how to work within Cleveland’s housing codes is a must.

      Insurance and property taxes can vary significantly depending on neighborhood and building age. Make sure to factor that into your cash flow analysis, especially with older multifamily units.

      Financing can get tricky for larger properties depending on the neighborhood classification, some lenders are conservative in certain zip codes. Working with a lender familiar with Cleveland’s submarkets can help.

      Happy to see investors taking a strategic approach and building a local team early. Many blessings to you as you grow your real estate portfolio!


       100% with the insurance costs on older buildings! I see it all the time

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