Guidance on Investing upstate NY

Upstate New York, New York
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Guidance on Investing upstate NY

Kayla Williams
brooklyn, NY · Member since 2017 · 10 posts · 4 votes

Hey I'm looking to invest. (BRRR) upstate but need some direction on what areas/ zipcodes to pick. I currently live in nyc and interested in albany or in the beacon area or any other areas that are profitable

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Chris Mooney
Member since 2025 · 14 posts · 18 votes
7mo

Hi Kayla! I live and work as a realtor in the Hudson Valley and can say for certain there are good areas up here for BRRRR opportunities. Albany is desirable, strong BRRRR opportunities. Good employment opportunities make it a stable long term location for investors. I also would consider Kingston, Poughkeepsie, or even Yonkers. There's plenty of smaller towns worth considering.

Shoot me a DM if you'd like to discuss this in greater depth. Out of state is good to consider too, but I like the fact from NYC you can come up for a day trip and actually see your properties, be involved in the rehab management process, and see the impact you have on teh local community of renters.

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  • Arman AhmedPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 953 votes
    7mo
    Quote from @Kayla Williams:

    Hey I'm looking to invest. (BRRR) upstate but need some direction on what areas/ zipcodes to pick. I currently live in nyc and interested in albany or in the beacon area or any other areas that are profitable

    Hey Kayla, if you’re looking for easier cash flow and less competition than upstate NY, the Midwest is worth a look. Cities in the Midwest still have off-market duplexes and small multis well below replacement cost that cash flow right away. It’s beginner-friendly for out-of-state investors, and you can scale without fighting bidding wars. Definitely compare the numbers, you might be surprised how far your capital goes in the Midwest vs. NY.

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  • Chris Mooney
    Member since 2025 · 14 posts · 18 votes
    7mo

    Hi Kayla! I live and work as a realtor in the Hudson Valley and can say for certain there are good areas up here for BRRRR opportunities. Albany is desirable, strong BRRRR opportunities. Good employment opportunities make it a stable long term location for investors. I also would consider Kingston, Poughkeepsie, or even Yonkers. There's plenty of smaller towns worth considering.

    Shoot me a DM if you'd like to discuss this in greater depth. Out of state is good to consider too, but I like the fact from NYC you can come up for a day trip and actually see your properties, be involved in the rehab management process, and see the impact you have on teh local community of renters.

    1Reply
    • Kayla Williams
      OP
      brooklyn, NY · Member since 2017 · 10 posts · 4 votes
      7mo
      Quote from @Chris Mooney:

      Hi Kayla! I live and work as a realtor in the Hudson Valley and can say for certain there are good areas up here for BRRRR opportunities. Albany is desirable, strong BRRRR opportunities. Good employment opportunities make it a stable long term location for investors. I also would consider Kingston, Poughkeepsie, or even Yonkers. There's plenty of smaller towns worth considering.

      Shoot me a DM if you'd like to discuss this in greater depth. Out of state is good to consider too, but I like the fact from NYC you can come up for a day trip and actually see your properties, be involved in the rehab management process, and see the impact you have on teh local community of renters.


      0Reply
  • Steven Grant
    Member since 2020 · 6 posts · 5 votes
    7mo
    Quote from @Kayla Williams:

    Hey I'm looking to invest. (BRRR) upstate but need some direction on what areas/ zipcodes to pick. I currently live in nyc and interested in albany or in the beacon area or any other areas that are profitable


     Hi Kayla,

    I live in Brooklyn and invest in "downtown" Albany. Rents are pretty good for the price for "turnkey" properties but cash flow is often not there at the market price due to high taxes and the cost of outside management. As for BRRRR opportunities, I have not attempted yet but there seem to be some traps for the unwary due to the age of properties, Albany regulations, and historice district codes and such. Also the neighborhoods are small and vary . I like Centre Sqauare and Hudson for more stable tenants. I like Elm Street and Philip Street in the Mansion area, which seems to be up and coming.

    Good luck

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    • Kayla Williams
      OP
      brooklyn, NY · Member since 2017 · 10 posts · 4 votes
      6mo

      @Steven Grant hey thank you so much I appreciate the feed back I can only imagine the taxes I'm still shooing around I'm thinking even Rochester maybe 

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    • Preston Garcia
      Real Estate Agent · Rochester, NY · Member since 2020 · 148 posts · 28 votes
      6mo
      Quote from @Kayla Williams:

      @Steven Grant hey thank you so much I appreciate the feed back I can only imagine the taxes I'm still shooing around I'm thinking even Rochester maybe 

      If you ever decide to look in Rochester, feel free to reach out 
      0Reply
    • Kayla Williams
      OP
      brooklyn, NY · Member since 2017 · 10 posts · 4 votes
      6mo

      @Preston Garcia good evening  what is your contact information 

      0Reply
  • Jimmy LieuBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    6mo
    Quote from @Kayla Williams:

    Hey I'm looking to invest. (BRRR) upstate but need some direction on what areas/ zipcodes to pick. I currently live in nyc and interested in albany or in the beacon area or any other areas that are profitable

    Hey Kayla, welcome to BP! NYC makes it tough to find deals, so looking upstate makes sense, but Albany and Beacon are getting pricey and competitive. If cash flow is your main goal, I'd also check out Columbus, Ohio — you can still find $120–180K deals that hit the 1% rule, rent easily, and the city's growing fast with tons of jobs and companies moving in. I moved here from Portland and now own 10+ rentals, and it's been a great market for BRRR strategies. Happy to connect and answer any questions you have!



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  • Denise SuppleeBusiness Member
    Realtor · Willow Grove, PA · Member since 2017 · 991 posts · 647 votes
    6mo

    Hey you might also want to look at places like Rochester or Syracuse.

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  • Grace Lerner
    New York, NY · Member since 2019 · 13 posts · 3 votes
    6mo
    Hi Kayla! I would look at Troy, NY. It has two colleges and is right next to Albany, but there is more upside potential in my opinion.
    0Reply
  • Justin Roland
    Developer · Albany, NY · Member since 2016 · 30 posts · 14 votes
    6mo
    Quote from @Kayla Williams:

    Hey I'm looking to invest. (BRRR) upstate but need some direction on what areas/ zipcodes to pick. I currently live in nyc and interested in albany or in the beacon area or any other areas that are profitable

    Hey Kayla — I’m  born and raised in Upstate NY and have been investing in the Capital Region for about 10 years now.

    You're definitely looking in some solid areas. Albany,Schenectady, Rensselaer counties in particular can work really well for BRRR, especially if you're focused on properties where you can add value and refinance out. All about buying right!

    One thing I’ve learned over the years is that up here things can vary a lot from neighborhood to neighborhood, so having a good feel for the local pockets makes a big difference.

    Beacon is nice too, just a slightly different play — more appreciation-driven vs heavy BRRR, depending on how you're structuring your deal.

    I’ve connected with a number of NYC investors making that move upstate, so if you ever want a second set of eyes or just a general breakdown of what’s working right now, I’m always happy to share.

    0Reply
    • Kayla Williams
      OP
      brooklyn, NY · Member since 2017 · 10 posts · 4 votes
      6mo

      @Justin Roland thank you so much I have heard about Schenectady, New York, but have never looked into that area for sure. I was just scared of the New York market and Taxes. Thank you for your feedback for sure. I will look into those areas also ll send you a direct message also that was very insightful im new to brrr so  im takin  little baby steps lol 

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  • Robert EllisBusiness Member
    Developer · Miami, FL · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4mo
    Quote from @Kayla Williams:

    Hey I'm looking to invest. (BRRR) upstate but need some direction on what areas/ zipcodes to pick. I currently live in nyc and interested in albany or in the beacon area or any other areas that are profitable


    One thing I'd look at before choosing a market is whether you're optimizing for cash flow, appreciation, or ease of executing the BRRRR. Albany, Beacon, Rochester, and Troy can all work, but they're very different plays once you start comparing taxes, renovation costs, rent growth, and refinance potential. When you run your numbers, which metric matters most to you right now: monthly cash flow, equity creation, or long-term appreciation?
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  • Amit PatelBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Bartlett, IL · Member since 2025 · 160 posts · 65 votes
    4mo

    Hi Kyla For BRRRR in Upstate NY from NYC, the distance is very manageable if you build a strong local team.

    Right now, Buffalo and Rochester generally offer the best numbers for BRRRR. They have lower entry prices, solid rental demand, and plenty of properties where you can force equity through smart rehabs so the refinance works well. Cash flow tends to be stronger here than in many other parts of the state.

    Albany and the Capital Region (Albany-Schenectady-Troy) is a good middle-ground option if you want something more drivable. Steady demand from government jobs, universities, and healthcare supports reliable tenants, and there are still value-add opportunities without crazy competition.

    Beacon is closer but more expensive with tighter cash flow. It works better as an appreciation play than a pure BRRRR strategy.

    Focus on neighborhoods with strong tenant demand and properties where you can add real value through rehabs without over-improving. The biggest key to success from NYC is lining up a good local property manager and contractors before you buy, they become your eyes and ears on the ground.

    Good luck!

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