New LA Based Investor — Interested In Buy and Hold Multi Families

Los Angeles County, California
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New LA Based Investor — Interested In Buy and Hold Multi Families

David Miller II
Reseda, Los Angeles County · Member since 2026 · 6 posts · 2 votes

Hi my name is David, it’s a pleasure to meet you guys! 

I'm new to the BiggerPockets forum, been listening to the podcast for a couple weeks as well as reading up on REI for a couple months.

I’m a 25yr old who’s looking to invest in my in first property in a year and would love to connect with anyone based out here in Los Angeles with experience in house hacking multi family properties and buy n hold multi family properties/apartments. From what I’ve read so far the LA market isn’t too great as a whole so if anyone has any systems that helped get started out here that would be much appreciated. 

In terms of what I can provide it’s not much in the experience department, I’m as green as green can be, but I’m timely, motivated, detail oriented, and enjoy getting to know people from all backgrounds. 

Looking forward to connecting with everyone! 

Thank you 

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Brad SeidBusiness Member
Lender · Licensed in 28 States · Member since 2026 · 122 posts · 32 votes
4w

@David Miller II

Welcome to BiggerPockets, David! Starting early is a huge advantage. LA can be challenging, but the right financing strategy can make a big difference when you find the right property.

If you’re looking at house hacking or multifamily investing, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to help you explore your lending options as you prepare for your first deal. Best of luck! 🏠

[email protected]248-408-3855
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  • Brad SeidBusiness Member
    Lender · Licensed in 28 States · Member since 2026 · 122 posts · 32 votes
    4w

    @David Miller II

    Welcome to BiggerPockets, David! Starting early is a huge advantage. LA can be challenging, but the right financing strategy can make a big difference when you find the right property.

    If you’re looking at house hacking or multifamily investing, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to help you explore your lending options as you prepare for your first deal. Best of luck! 🏠

    [email protected]248-408-3855
    West Capital Lending5122 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    1Reply
  • Arman AhmedPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 906 votes
    4w
    Quote from @David Miller II:

    Hi my name is David, it’s a pleasure to meet you guys! 

    I'm new to the BiggerPockets forum, been listening to the podcast for a couple weeks as well as reading up on REI for a couple months.

    I’m a 25yr old who’s looking to invest in my in first property in a year and would love to connect with anyone based out here in Los Angeles with experience in house hacking multi family properties and buy n hold multi family properties/apartments. From what I’ve read so far the LA market isn’t too great as a whole so if anyone has any systems that helped get started out here that would be much appreciated. 

    In terms of what I can provide it’s not much in the experience department, I’m as green as green can be, but I’m timely, motivated, detail oriented, and enjoy getting to know people from all backgrounds. 

    Looking forward to connecting with everyone! 

    Thank you 


    Welcome, David! At 25, you’ve got one huge advantage: time. I wouldn’t feel pressured to force your first deal in LA if the numbers don’t work. Learn to underwrite deals, build relationships, and don’t be afraid to look outside California. Midwest markets can give you a much lower entry point and better cash flow potential, while still letting you build a buy-and-hold portfolio remotely. Get really good at analyzing one type of deal first, and the opportunities will start making a lot more sense.

    [email protected]614-418-6081
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  • Jordan Mendler
    Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2022 · 15 posts · 8 votes
    4w

    I'm based in LA and it's a tough market. You have rent control, tenant's rights, low cap rates, high property values, etc. do you have capital to get your first deal done? Feel free to DM me.

    1Reply
    • David Miller II
      OP
      Reseda, Los Angeles County · Member since 2026 · 6 posts · 2 votes
      4w
      Quote from @Jordan Mendler:

      I'm based in LA and it's a tough market. You have rent control, tenant's rights, low cap rates, high property values, etc. do you have capital to get your first deal done? Feel free to DM me.

      Wow, thank you for your insight. I'm not positioned to make any deals yet, I wanna spend this next year understanding the market, cash flow, and buyer financing but when I'm ready I'll be sure to keep you in mind.

      0Reply
  • David Miller II
    OP
    Reseda, Los Angeles County · Member since 2026 · 6 posts · 2 votes
    4w
    0Reply
  • Dan HandfordPro Member
    Investor · Lexington, SC · Member since 2018 · 779 posts · 501 votes
    4w

    David, welcome. LA is difficult when you judge a property only on day-one cash flow, so I would spend this year building a very specific buy box before chasing listings. For a house hack, compare two-to-four-unit properties by your true monthly housing cost after realistic vacancy, repairs, utilities, and reserves. Also model what happens when you move out and the property must stand on its own. The discipline you build now matters more than forcing a first deal. Which LA neighborhoods or nearby markets are you currently studying?

    1Reply
    • David Miller II
      OP
      Reseda, Los Angeles County · Member since 2026 · 6 posts · 2 votes
      3w

      @Dan Handford Thanks for the insight Dan! The markets I'm studying currently are in the San Fernando Valley.

      0Reply
  • Michael Eskenasy
    Investor · Pacific Northwest · Member since 2026 · 512 posts · 292 votes
    3w

    At 25, with a year before you plan to buy, I wouldn’t spend that year trying to decide whether “LA is a good market.”

    I’d spend it learning exactly what kind of LA deal would make sense for you.

    House hacking changes the math because you’re not just buying an investment. You’re replacing part of your own housing expense with rental income. A duplex that looks mediocre as a pure rental can still be a very strong first purchase if the other unit materially reduces what you would otherwise be paying to live in Los Angeles.

    I’d start pulling real 2–4 unit properties now and underwrite them every week. Don’t worry about buying yet. Track purchase price, realistic rents, taxes, insurance, utilities, vacancy, repairs, financing, and what your actual monthly housing cost would be while you occupy one unit. Then run the same property again as though you moved out and rented the whole thing.

    After 50 or 100 properties, you’ll start seeing the market differently. You’ll know which neighborhoods consistently get close to working, which property configurations are useful, how much rents really support, and where sellers are asking prices that simply don’t make sense.

    I’d also use this year to understand the operational side of owning in LA. With multifamily, tenant protections, existing leases, unit legality, deferred maintenance, and the condition of older buildings can matter just as much as the purchase price. A “cheap” building with the wrong tenant or physical situation can be much more expensive than it looks.

    And I wouldn’t rush out of California just because another market shows better cash flow on a spreadsheet. Your first property has an educational return too. Being able to drive to the building, meet contractors, understand the neighborhoods, watch leasing activity, and learn what actually happens after closing can be extremely valuable on deal #1.

    The goal for the next year isn’t to become an expert in all of real estate.

    Get extremely good at underwriting one specific kind of property in a small number of neighborhoods. If you do that every week for a year, you’ll be in a completely different position when you’re actually ready to buy.

    1Reply
  • Wale LawalBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    3w

    @David Miller II

    Welcome to BP! It won't be easy doing business in LA, but if you concentrate your attention on your buy box and have an ability to see what other people cannot, you will make deals. You just need to spend a year to understand your deals and establish relationships with agents and lenders.

    Good luck!

    [email protected]832-776-9582Podcast Guest on Show #469
    NETWORTH BUILDERS5236 Reviews
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