Skip to content
Two investors reviewing resources on a laptop

Get industry-leading resources — for free

Unlock resources for every investing strategy and stage with a free account.

By continuing, you agree to BiggerPockets LLC's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Followed Discussions Followed Categories Followed People Followed Locations
General Real Estate Investing
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

User Stats

503
Posts
549
Votes
Garrett Brown
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Houston, TX
549
Votes |
503
Posts

If you had cash to deploy today: discounted Sun Belt or steady Midwest?

Garrett Brown
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Houston, TX
Posted

Quick one for the newsletter crowd. Home prices have basically split into two countries right now. A bunch of Sun Belt and Mountain West metros (Austin, Tampa, Phoenix, Denver) are sitting below their 2022 peak and still drifting down, while a lot of Northeast and Midwest markets (Hartford, Columbus, Chicago) keep grinding higher on tight inventory.

So, if you had capital ready to deploy this month, which one would you buy into?

Do you chase the discount in an oversupplied Sun Belt market and bet you can hold through soft rents until it turns? Or do you pay up for a tighter, slower, steadier market and bet on appreciation plus easier tenant demand?

No wrong answer. I want to know which way you lean and, more importantly, why. I'll feature the best replies in Thursday's Brief.

  • Garrett Brown
  • [email protected]
  • Most Popular Reply

    User Stats

    2,068
    Posts
    894
    Votes
    Arman Ahmed
    #1 New Member Introductions Contributor
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH
    894
    Votes |
    2,068
    Posts
    Arman Ahmed
    #1 New Member Introductions Contributor
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH
    Replied
    Quote from @Garrett Brown:

    Quick one for the newsletter crowd. Home prices have basically split into two countries right now. A bunch of Sun Belt and Mountain West metros (Austin, Tampa, Phoenix, Denver) are sitting below their 2022 peak and still drifting down, while a lot of Northeast and Midwest markets (Hartford, Columbus, Chicago) keep grinding higher on tight inventory.

    So, if you had capital ready to deploy this month, which one would you buy into?

    Do you chase the discount in an oversupplied Sun Belt market and bet you can hold through soft rents until it turns? Or do you pay up for a tighter, slower, steadier market and bet on appreciation plus easier tenant demand?

    No wrong answer. I want to know which way you lean and, more importantly, why. I'll feature the best replies in Thursday's Brief.


    I'd lean Midwest every time. I'd rather buy in a market with steady tenant demand, limited inventory, and reliable cash flow than try to time the bottom in an oversupplied market. Appreciation is great, but strong cash flow gives you options. Markets like Ohio have continued to make sense because the fundamentals work on day one, and any appreciation is a bonus.
  • Arman Ahmed
  • [email protected]
  • 614-418-6081
  • Loading replies...