Rookie investor/flipper looking for advise

Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2026 · 6 posts · 1 vote

Starting my investor journey in Florida's Polk County. (I live out of state.) Currently building a team to flip or BRRRR. Looking for anyone who knows the area. Good idea? Bad idea? Can't wait to connect. Thanks!

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Juan YepesBusiness Member
Lender · Miami, FL · Member since 2025 · 131 posts · 38 votes
1d
Hi Kyle,
Polk County is a great option where you can find a good balance between home prices and rental income. Also, as central Florida continues to grow, the areas around Orlando will benefit. I've helped several investors finance purchases in this area during 2026. What did you find in your research that made you decide on this area?
If you're looking to do BRRRRs, you'll need to connect with realtors and wholesalers to help you find the properties and contractors to complete the rehabs. You'll also want to find a lender that can cater all your financing needs (fix and flip loans + DSCR refinance post rehab). BiggerPockets is a great place to network and build a team.
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- Kyle Trumble
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  Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2026 · 6 posts · 1 vote
  1d
  Thank you, Juan! Yes, building my team is a top priority. I chose Polk County because I have a Realtor connection there, which really helped me narrow my search. Polk County also fits my buy box better than where I am locally. Thanks for the advise.
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Divin KanyamaBusiness Member
Accountant · Seattle, WA · Member since 2025 · 600 posts · 251 votes
1d
Welcome @Kyle Trumble , and congrats on getting started! I think it's a good idea, as long as you build the right team first. Since you're remote, your contractor and agent are your eyes. Ask for references and look at their recent projects before you commit, and start with one smaller deal to test them. Pick one area, like Lakeland or Winter Haven, and learn it well. Get real insurance quotes before you make offers too, because Florida costs can surprise you. Just keep in mind this is my general take and not financial advice, so double-check the local details with licensed pros. Good luck, you got this!
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- Kyle Trumble
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  Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2026 · 6 posts · 1 vote
  1d
  Thank you, Davin. I already have a Realtor in Polk County. Looking to make Contractor connections. I have also narrowed my search to the Lakeland area. My research shows Lakeland has seen strong year-over-year population growth.
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Jimmy LieuBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
1d
Welcome, Kyle, and good on you for building the team before the first deal. Since you're remote, I'd add a few guardrails on top of what's already been said. Underwrite the after-repair value from sold comps in the last few months within a close radius, not from active listings, and pad your hold costs, because an out-of-state flip that runs two months long can erase the profit. Pay contractors on a draw schedule tied to finished work, and have someone local verify each milestone with photos or a walkthrough before money goes out. If you go the BRRRR route, check the lender's seasoning rules and how they appraise before you count on pulling your cash back out. And run every flip as if it might have to become a rental, so you have a plan B if it doesn't sell at your number. Whether it's a good idea mostly comes down to whether the numbers work with conservative assumptions on your first deal. Happy to connect and compare notes.
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- Kyle Trumble
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  Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2026 · 6 posts · 1 vote
  1d
  Thank you, Jimmy! Yes, my goal is to flip and sell using BRRRR as a plan B. Having multiple exit strategies has been drilled into me thanks to the BP community. Thank you for the advice!
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James JonesPro Member
Investor · Collierville, TN 38017 · Member since 2017 · 891 posts · 623 votes
1d
It is neither a good idea nor a bad idea yet. It is a numbers question, and Polk County does not get a vote until the deals there pass your screen.
Mine, in Memphis, is simple: BRRRR single-family under $100K, ARV $180K-$265K, rent that hits the 1% rule. If a Polk County house cannot do its local version of that, the team you are building does not matter.
Pick one strategy to start. A flip and a BRRRR are different businesses. For BRRRR, underwrite the refinance first: I use DSCR at 70-80% LTV, so the rent has to carry that loan on day one.
Out of state, your edge is deal flow and verification. Everything else is local and hireable.
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- Kyle Trumble
  OP
  Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2026 · 6 posts · 1 vote
  1d
  Thank you, James! Yes, flip and sell is my main goal, as I would like to grow my own business account before I hold anything. The BRRRR strategy here is an exit strategy- plan B. Thank you for the advice!
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Ametria Chaney
Realtor · Memphis, Shelby County · Member since 2026 · 178 posts · 60 votes
1d
Starting out of state makes your team the deal, so I would build that before you buy anything. You need a contractor you trust, a property manager or local contact who will actually walk properties, and a knowledgeable local agent who understands investor numbers, not just retail sales. Ask each one how they communicate, how quickly they send photos or video, and what happens when a project goes off plan, because distance makes small problems expensive. For your first deal, keep it simple: a straightforward property, a conservative resale value based on recently closed comparable sales, and a rehab budget with room for surprises. BRRRR can work, but it depends on the refinance appraisal, so underwrite the refinance at a lower value than you hope for.
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- Kyle Trumble
  OP
  Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2026 · 6 posts · 1 vote
  1d
  Thank you, Ametria! Trying this out of state before I've ever tried it in my backyard is a huge stressor. My thought is to run this as if I am the Project manager. Would you recommend checking in with everyone involved daily? I have also been advised to set up a solar-powered camera so I can keep an eye on the job site during the process. Thank You!
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James WachobBusiness Member
Real Estate Broker · Memphis, TN · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 892 votes
4h
Hey @Kyle Trumble ! I think it can work, but investing out of state really comes down to having the right team and buying at the right numbers. Since you're deciding between flipping and BRRRR, I'd compare both strategies before committing to a deal. With flips, you need enough margin to cover renovation costs, holding expenses, and selling costs. For BRRRR, you also need to make sure the after-repair value, refinance terms, and rental cash flow support the plan.
I’d build relationships with a reliable local agent, contractor, and property manager before buying, and make sure you have someone who can regularly check on the property during renovations. Polk County may offer opportunities, but the specific neighborhood and deal matter more than the market name alone.
I’m a real estate agent based in Memphis, TN, and I work with out-of-state investors building rental portfolios. If you’re open to comparing markets or exploring opportunities in Memphis down the road, I’d be happy to connect and share some insight. Best of luck building your team!
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