European Investor Entering U.S. Real Estate - Looking for Deals, Partners & Guida

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European Investor Entering U.S. Real Estate - Looking for Deals, Partners & Guida

Danny Dorland
Investor · Eindhoven, Netherlands · Member since 2026 · 2 posts · 7 votes

Hi everyone,

I’m Danny, a Dutch professional actor and singer based in Antwerp, Belgium, and I’m currently building out my first serious U.S. real estate investment strategy.

I’m coming into this as a foreign investor with capital available to deploy, but my goal is not simply to buy one rental. I want to build a scalable, cash-flowing U.S. portfolio and learn from people who have actually done it.

I'm currently looking at SFRs, small multifamily and potentially larger multifamily, depending on where the numbers and financing make the most sense. I'm especially interested in value-add opportunities, BRRRR, seller financing, assumable debt, DSCR/commercial financing and selectively Section 8.

A big focus for me is capital efficiency: strong sustainable cash flow, buying well, creating equity and recycling capital responsibly rather than leaving large amounts of cash trapped in every property.

I’d especially love to connect with:

  • experienced investors/operators who are open to mentoring or coaching;

  • brokers, wholesalers and acquisition professionals who see genuinely good off-market or value-add opportunities;

  • foreign-national / DSCR lenders;

  • multifamily operators or investors open to JV structures;

  • CPAs, EAs and attorneys experienced with non-U.S. investors;

  • anyone with experience structuring U.S. LLCs, Section 871(d), depreciation/cost segregation, estate-tax exposure and cross-border U.S./European ownership.

I’m currently researching Midwest and other cash-flow-oriented markets, but I’m deliberately keeping an open mind until I have enough evidence to choose the right market and strategy.

I’m not looking for hype or a “get rich quick” approach. I’m trying to build the right network, understand the structure before buying, and then move decisively when the numbers work.

If you have experience working with foreign investors, know good people I should speak with, or come across deals that might fit this approach, I’d be very happy to connect.

Thanks,
Danny

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Kyle Jones
Chicago, Cook County · Member since 2026 · 38 posts · 15 votes
6d

Danny, the thing I'd worry about most for a value-add plan from overseas is the rehab number, not the financing. In older Midwest housing the deal usually goes wrong in the parts nobody films well: the sewer line, the basement, the roof, and the wiring.

- On every deal, ask for the age of the roof, furnace, water heater, and electrical panel. Price anything near the end of its life as a replacement in your numbers, not as a maybe.

- Get a sewer camera run to the street before you close. Old clay and cast iron lines are common in Cleveland, and a bad one is a big, hidden cost.

- Have someone walk the basement on video slowly, showing the walls, the joists, and the floor. Water stains, white crust on the walls, fresh patching, and sagging or added joists all tell you how the house has really been treated.

- Check the city's permit and violation history on every address. Open violations can follow the property to you.

- For BRRRR, your refinance depends on the finished value, so get the scope and bids done before you buy, not after. If the rehab runs over, the money you hoped to pull back out stays stuck in the house.

- Since you won't be on site, tie every contractor payment to finished work with dated photos, and keep a holdback until the final walk.

Kyle

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  • Stacy RaskinBusiness Member
    Lender · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 530 votes
    6d

    Happy to connect on the lending side for DSCR loans. Besides working with investors living in the U.S., I regularly work with and get funding for investors around the world including European based investors. Since DSCR loans and other business purpose financing is not regulated the same way as owner occupy conventional loans, the rates and terms can legally increase at any point in the process even when nothing else changes such as the appraisal coming in lower than expected which would affect the LTV. Because of that lack of regulation in the business purpose lending space, it's important to work with a mortgage professional that's well researched and that you feel comfortable with.

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    2Reply
    • Brandon Nembhard
      Investor · Member since 2025 · 7 posts · 2 votes
      1d

      Hi Stacy, my name is Brandon. I came across your comment and wanted to connect! I buy and sell turnkey investment properties and portfolios, primarily in Cleveland, Ohio.

      I'm always looking to connect with reliable lenders, as both myself and many of my buyers have financing needs. I also have some great turnkey inventory available if you know any investors who may be interested.

      Would love to connect and build a mutually beneficial relationship!

      0Reply
  • Kyle Jones
    Chicago, Cook County · Member since 2026 · 38 posts · 15 votes
    6d

    Danny, the thing I'd worry about most for a value-add plan from overseas is the rehab number, not the financing. In older Midwest housing the deal usually goes wrong in the parts nobody films well: the sewer line, the basement, the roof, and the wiring.

    - On every deal, ask for the age of the roof, furnace, water heater, and electrical panel. Price anything near the end of its life as a replacement in your numbers, not as a maybe.

    - Get a sewer camera run to the street before you close. Old clay and cast iron lines are common in Cleveland, and a bad one is a big, hidden cost.

    - Have someone walk the basement on video slowly, showing the walls, the joists, and the floor. Water stains, white crust on the walls, fresh patching, and sagging or added joists all tell you how the house has really been treated.

    - Check the city's permit and violation history on every address. Open violations can follow the property to you.

    - For BRRRR, your refinance depends on the finished value, so get the scope and bids done before you buy, not after. If the rehab runs over, the money you hoped to pull back out stays stuck in the house.

    - Since you won't be on site, tie every contractor payment to finished work with dated photos, and keep a holdback until the final walk.

    Kyle

    3Reply
  • Connor MaynerBusiness Member
    Lender · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2026 · 11 posts · 5 votes
    6d

    Hi Danny, I own Ocean Coast Mortgage, a brokerage that arranges business-purpose investment loans, and foreign national DSCR loans are one of our specialties. I started my career doing mortgages in Canada before moving to the US, so I understand foreign national investing and have many lending solutions for foreign investors. We have solutions for SFRs and small multifamily, including BRRRR refinances, and we can walk you through the whole process from start to finish. Let's connect and set up a quick call.

    Connor

    2Reply
    • Brandon Nembhard
      Investor · Member since 2025 · 7 posts · 2 votes
      1d

      Hey Connor, my name is Brandon. I buy and sell turnkey investment properties and portfolios in Cleveland, Ohio. I also flip properties and invest using the BRRRR strategy myself.

      I have some great turnkey inventory available and am always looking to connect with reliable lenders for myself and my buyers. Would love to connect and build a mutually beneficial relationship!

      0Reply
  • Felipe LecarosPro Member
    Investor · Santiago, Chile · Member since 2026 · 25 posts · 4 votes
    6d

    Hi Danny,

    It’s good to see another foreign investor taking this so seriously. Wanting to understand the structure before you buy already puts you ahead of most people starting out.

    I’m in a similar position. I’ve built my U.S. rental portfolio from Santiago, Chile, and I did not see any of my properties in person for several years. A lot of your post sounds familiar.

    Every item on your list makes sense. One thing from my own experience, though: BRRRR, value-add depends heavily on your people on the ground. That means the agent and the contractor, and above all the property manager. If you don't yet have a team you trust in a market, I'd start simple. My first deal was a turnkey, on my coaches' advice, and it turned out to be one of my best decisions. It let me learn the buying process, see how a property manager actually works and read my first closing statement without a rehab going on at the same time. The more active strategies came later, once I had people I could rely on.

    For a first deal I’d aim for conservative numbers, a market you understand and a small, solid team. It doesn´t have to be a home-run. That’s the base that lets you recycle capital responsibly later on, which is exactly what you’re after.

    I'm also a lawyer (New York and Chile), so I spend a lot of time on the LLC, structuring and estate-tax questions you raised. If you'd like to talk it through, feel free to send me a DM. I would be happy to help you since I´ve received a lot of help over the years.

    Best,

    Felipe Lecaros

    2Reply
  • Marc MoraPro Member
    Investor · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Member since 2026 · 149 posts · 19 votes
    6d

    Danny, let's connect. Holding off on a market and strategy until you have real evidence makes a lot of sense.

    Your list covers a lot of ground, and those approaches ask very different things of someone living in Europe, mostly how often you'd need to be on the ground or lean on someone who is. Getting clear on that first should make the tax and structure questions easier.

    There are people worth talking to on all of this, and I'm happy to connect you. Would you be running it all from Belgium?

    Just sent you a DM.

    0Reply
  • Ryan BrownPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Louisville, KY · Member since 2022 · 100 posts · 33 votes
    6d

    Hey Danny, I’m Ryan, a real estate agent and investor here in Louisville, Kentucky. I currently own a couple of fourplexes, recently sold a 10-unit building, and have owned single-family rentals and other small multifamily properties over the years.

    I’d put Louisville on your list. In my experience, it’s a market where you can still find opportunities to buy for cash flow rather than relying entirely on appreciation. You can also explore single-family, small multifamily, and larger buildings without needing to change markets as your portfolio grows.

    I’ve worked with out-of-state investors, and I also have experience purchasing properties with existing debt left in place and seller financing behind it—so your interest in capital-efficient acquisitions caught my attention.

    I’d be happy to connect and walk through some actual Louisville properties and numbers with you. That would give you something concrete to compare against the other markets you’re considering, without committing to a particular strategy upfront.

    [email protected]502-889-0122
    0Reply
  • Sheldon DavidBusiness Member
    Technology · Rockville MD · Member since 2026 · 13 posts · 2 votes
    6d

    Danny, I’d narrow the investment criteria before narrowing the market: property type, total cash available, required reserves, financing options, and how much involvement you want from overseas.

    Then I’d compare actual properties using consistent expense assumptions. An attractive advertised yield can change once management, vacancy, repairs, insurance, and owner-paid utilities are included.

    Independent verification would be a priority. I’d want rent support from a local manager, an independent inspection, and clarity on who handles maintenance and leasing after closing. Cross-border tax and ownership questions also deserve qualified advice before committing.

    Have you settled on a first-property strategy, or are you still comparing rentals with more active renovation projects?

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  • Ty Burns
    Lender · Salt Lake City, UT · Member since 2013 · 151 posts · 22 votes
    5d

    Foreign national DSCR loans are very doable, I do DSCR lending and see these come through. A few things worth having lined up before you start shopping lenders.

    Plan on a US LLC to take title and a US bank account with your down payment and reserves sitting in it for a while before closing. Expect to put more down than a US citizen would. Most foreign national programs don't require a US credit score or social security number, but they will want your passport and visa or other ID, plus a paper trail showing where the funds came from.

    The qualifying is mostly about the property's rent covering the payment, so in the Midwest watch your price point. A lot of the really cheap houses fall under lender minimum loan amounts and you end up buying those cash whether you want to or not.

    Get a CPA who knows cross border investors involved early on the LLC and tax setup, withholding on rental income and sales is where people get surprised. Once you've narrowed down a market feel free to message me and I can walk you through how a deal would look.

    0Reply
  • Mike B.Pro Member
    Developer · Chicago, IL · Member since 2013 · 440 posts · 360 votes
    5d

    I think you're approaching this the right way. One piece of advice I'd give you, especially investing from overseas, is to work backwards.

    I've watched multimillion dollar investment operations get into serious trouble because they underestimated the importance of property management. In my experience, a good management company can make or break your investment. If you can't find reliable management in a particular market, I'd take that market off the list, regardless of how attractive the numbers look on paper.

    Before you start chasing properties, interview management companies in the markets you're considering. Understand their processes, which neighborhoods they service, which ones they avoid, and why. Most importantly, call their references. They'll also give you a much better picture of realistic rents, vacancies, and operating expenses than most investment projections.

    Join local Facebook groups in those cities. Follow the news, pay attention to what's happening in different neighborhoods, and get involved with local real estate investor and networking groups. You'll learn things about a market that don't necessarily show up on a spreadsheet.

    Operators have a tendency to be a little generous with projected returns.

    Find the right people on the ground first, understand the neighborhoods they operate in, and then start looking for properties that fit. Especially from Belgium, I'd put just as much effort into finding the right management team as I would into finding the right deal.

    0Reply
  • Elizabeth Riggs
    Wholesaler · South Bend, IN · Member since 2026 · 26 posts · 0 votes
    5d

    Hey Danny,

    I love your approach to starting your real estate investing journey. Finding the right team is often one of the most important pieces of choosing a market.

    Many people will tell you to check things like cost of living, unemployment rates, population, average market rents and average acquisition cost, but the one thing I really look for is whether you can find at least two high-quality property managers. Why? They’re the ones who will ultimately manage the portfolio for you. Without strong options (plus a backup in case the first one turns out to be less than ideal), your deals won’t end up cash flowing anyway.

    I’m based in South Bend, Indiana, and work with off-market deals, so I’d love to connect.

    0Reply
  • BJ Everson
    Realtor · Columbus, Franklin County · Member since 2026 · 112 posts · 32 votes
    5d

    Welcome, Danny. Since you mentioned the Midwest and Section 8, here are a few things I'd pin down before choosing a market, from my side in Columbus, OH (I invest here and work with investors at Swiss Realty Group). 1) Underwrite every market the same way: rent from signed leases or recent leased comps, not asking rents; taxes at the post-sale reassessed value; insurance quoted, not estimated; and a full property management fee, since you'll be remote. Then see which market clears a DSCR you're comfortable with at today's rates. 2) Learn each city's compliance basics. Columbus, for example, has a rental registration requirement, and pre-1978 housing brings lead-safe rules. 3) For Section 8, sit through the local housing authority's landlord class before you buy. CMHA in Columbus holds an HCV landlord briefing (next one Wed Nov 18, 3-4 PM, at the Rise Center), which is a good way to learn the inspection standards and rent reasonableness. 4) Pick the market for your strategy, then build the team. For value-add, your contractor and PM matter more than the deal flow. Market context: Central Ohio listings are up 20.4% YoY with about 2.9 months of supply, and 55.1% of listings have had price cuts, so buyers have more room to negotiate on value-add than they did a year ago. Happy to compare notes on Columbus if it makes your shortlist.

    0Reply
  • Min ZhangBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    5d

    Hi Danny! Welcome to BP! I’m also a real estate investor, and I like your approach of focusing on sustainable cash flow and building a portfolio one good deal at a time. Always happy to connect with fellow investors and share experiences. Have you started narrowing down any markets yet?

    [email protected]614-412-2912
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  • Leroy K. WilliamsPro Member
    Property Manager · Southfield Mi · Member since 2018 · 192 posts · 177 votes
    5d

    Hi Danny

    My team is here right in the heart of the Midwest in Metro Detroit Michigan. Considering that we share an international border with Ontario Canada we see a significant number of Canadian real estate investors who want to take advantage of the emergence of their neighbor across the Detroit River. Our team has many years of experience working with foreign clients and we understand the unique challenges that come along with investing from another country. In addition to this our specialty is creating and managing Section 8 rentals. We have successfully created over 37 doors of Section 8 housing over the last 18 months.

    You also mentioned wanting to work with a network of professionals. Our team includes licensed real estate brokers, DSCR Lenders, Licensed Rehab Contractors, a Real Estate Attorney and a Property Management team that understands the Section 8 process in a non-theoretical way. We work together in an investor friendly eco-system which makes the whole process easier and more efficient.

    Lastly, you mentioned having capital ready for deployment. While this may be helpful as a reserve, you won't need a lot of capital if you plan on using the model which works in the Midwest. The proven method includes the use of Hard Money (90% purchase and 100% rehab) and then refi using DSCR. My partners and I are developing a "Detroit REI System" which is a compilation and coordination of strategies that actually work. Let's get on a call, I will send an inbox to see if we can get a conversation started.

    0Reply
  • Benny KatzBusiness Member
    Member since 2026 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    5d

    Hi Danny, Benny Katz, Founder of ATZI. Welcome to the US market. We arrange financing for foreign investors, including foreign-national DSCR loans qualified on the property's rent and bridge loans for multifamily, and we can help structure your buying entity. Which markets are you targeting, what price range, how much equity are you planning to put in, and will you buy through a US LLC? Feel free to send me a private message here and I'll share my direct contact details.

    0Reply
  • Tammy Fleming
    Real Estate Broker · Houston · Member since 2024 · 26 posts · 9 votes
    5d

    Hi Danny

    I'm Tammy. I am a investor friendly real estate broker in Houston, TX. Houston is still a great market to buy and hold real estate. I would love to work with you to help you achieve your real estate goals here in the US.

    0Reply
  • Maurizio PisciottaPro Member
    Delray Beach, FL · Member since 2024 · 41 posts · 22 votes
    5d

    Hey Danny!

    Fellow European here, originally from Italy and I've been in the US for about 10 years and I'm also investing in Ohio, mainly in the Cincinnati area, focusing on multifamily properties and cash flow.

    I'm also a big believer in building a reliable local team, especially when investing out of state.

    Would be great to connect and happy to meet other European investors in the US market!

    Cheers!

    1Reply
  • Jimmy LieuBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    5d

    Welcome, Danny. Kyle's point about the rehab number is a good one, and since you're keeping an open mind on the Midwest, I'd add one thing about how you compare markets: pick the strategy and the price band first, then see which cities fit, instead of the other way around. For someone investing from abroad, hands-off operations matter more than a slightly higher yield, so landlord-friendly rules and a deep pool of local property managers and contractors should weigh heavily.

    On that front, Columbus is worth a close look next to Cleveland. A lot of deals there still hit the 1% rule and cash flow after every expense, many come with $20K-$30K of built-in equity at purchase, and evictions that go uncontested tend to wrap in about 30 days. Single families mostly run $120K-$180K, with multifamily starting around $200K.

    For the foreign-national side, I'd get the LLC, tax and estate questions in front of a CPA and attorney who work with non-U.S. owners before you buy. Happy to connect and compare notes as you narrow it down.

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  • Drew SygitBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 13k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    5d

    If you invest OOS, your biggest challenge won't be finding properties to meet your goals on paper, it’ll be successfully building a knowledgeable & trustworthy local team.

    The biggest mistake we see OOS investors making in our market, over and over again, is not fully understanding Neighborhood/Property/Tenant Classes and how they impact your probability of success!

    They all run their ROI numbers assuming Class A results – when buying Class B, C & even D rentals.

    Then they’re shocked when their performance expectations aren't met😞

    If you choose to invest OOS, and have little to no landlord experience, we highly recommend targeting Class B Neighborhoods/Properties/Tenants. If you target Class C, you better be prepared emotionally & financially for plenty of challenges.

    You can find Class B properties in the Midwest to BRRRR, but it will take more digging and YOU will need to understand how to analyze & identify them - because a lot of agents, wholesalers, PMCs, etc. will try to sell you Class C or D misrepresented as Class B:

    ·      Many of them don't know/care what Class the properties are, so they're incompetent.

    ·         Others know exactly what they are doing, so should be labeled as crooks!
    EITHER WAY YOU LOSE!

    Why is Property Class so important for investors to understand and apply in their investing strategies?

    Because the Property Class dictates the Class of the tenant pool that the property will attract.

    The Tenant Class greatly impacts rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.

    Both Property Class and Tenant Class will affect what type of contractors, handymen and property management companies you should target and be willing to deal with a property.

    The Property Class will also impact the maintenance & renovations you do to, “Maintain to the Neighborhood/Market”.

    Why is that important?

    Well, if you buy & renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what Tenant Class will actually rent it?

    Or, if you put several Class D tenants in a Class A four-plex, what do you think will happen to the property?

    What do you think will happen if you rehab a Class D rental to Class A standards?

    So, if you fail to apply the correct assumptions to a property, your expectations won’t be met, and it may even be a financial disaster.

    We use the following to rank Property Classes, in order of importance:

    • Property Tenant Pool: closely linked to location, but not always.

    • Property Location: closely linked to tenant pool, but not always.

    • Property Condition & Amenities: it’s important to, “Maintain to the Neighborhood/Market.”

    Key metrics for each Property Class:

    Class A Properties:
    Tenant Pool: Majority of FICO scores 680+, no convictions/evictions in last 7 years.
    Tenant Default: 0-5% probability of eviction or early lease termination.
    Section 8: Class A rents are too high and won’t be approved.
    Vacancies: 5-10%, depending on market conditions.
    Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.

    Class B Properties:
    Tenant Pool: Majority of FICO scores 620-680, some blemishes, no convictions/evictions in last 5 years.
    Tenant Default    : 5-10% probability of eviction or early lease termination.
    Vacancies    : 10-15%, depending on market conditions.
    Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 1-3 years for positive cashflow, balanced amounts of relative rent & value appreciation.
    Section 8: Class B rents are usually too high for the Section 8 program.

    Class C Properties:
    Tenant Pool: Majority of FICO scores 560-620, many blemishes, but should have no convictions/evictions in last 3 years. Verifying recent 2-years of rental history very important! Same for 2-years of job/income stability.
    Tenant Default: 10-20% probability of eviction or early lease termination.
    Section 8: Class C rents usually meet program requirements, proper screening still recommended.
    Vacancies: 10-20%, depending on market conditions and tenant screening.
    Cashflow vs Appreciation: Should cashflow immediately, at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

    Class D Properties:
    Tenant Pool: Majority of FICO scores under 560, little to no good tradelines, lots of collections & chargeoffs, but should have no convictions/evictions in last 12 months. Verifying last 2-years of rental history and income/employment extremely important to find the “best of the worst”.
    Tenant Default: 20-30% probability of eviction or early lease termination.
    Section 8: Class D rents meet program requirements, often challenges to pass Section 8 inspection.
    Vacancies: 20%+, depending on market conditions and tenant screening.
    Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, all cashflow with little, maybe even negative, relative rent & value appreciation.

    Where did we get our FICO credit score information from?

    Check out this chart:

    FICO Score

    Pct of Population

    Default Probability

    800 or more

    13.00%

    1.00%

    750-799

    27.00%

    1.00%

    700-749

    18.00%

    4.40%

    650-699

    15.00%

    8.90%

    600-649

    12.00%

    15.80%

    550-599

    8.00%

    22.50%

    500-549

    5.00%

    28.40%

    Less than 499

    2.00%

    41.00%

    Make sure you understand the Class of properties you are looking at and the corresponding results to expect.

    For example, Metro Detroit has 132 cities and the City of Detroit 183 Neighborhoods, which we’re analyzing and classifying to make better investing decisions.

    Horror Stories from those that did NOT Understand What they were Buying:

    https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1137397-baltimore-a-path-to-never-ending-pain
    https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/432/topics/1231840-sell-at-a-loss-or-rent-at-a-loss
    https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/311/topics/840134-memphis-turnkey-tenant-turnover-costs
    https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/963/topics/1195280-experience-of-oos-investing-in-cleveland-after-15-years
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  • Remington LymanBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    5d
    Quote from @Danny Dorland:

    Hi everyone,

    I’m Danny, a Dutch professional actor and singer based in Antwerp, Belgium, and I’m currently building out my first serious U.S. real estate investment strategy.

    I’m coming into this as a foreign investor with capital available to deploy, but my goal is not simply to buy one rental. I want to build a scalable, cash-flowing U.S. portfolio and learn from people who have actually done it.

    I'm currently looking at SFRs, small multifamily and potentially larger multifamily, depending on where the numbers and financing make the most sense. I'm especially interested in value-add opportunities, BRRRR, seller financing, assumable debt, DSCR/commercial financing and selectively Section 8.

    A big focus for me is capital efficiency: strong sustainable cash flow, buying well, creating equity and recycling capital responsibly rather than leaving large amounts of cash trapped in every property.

    I’d especially love to connect with:

    • experienced investors/operators who are open to mentoring or coaching;

    • brokers, wholesalers and acquisition professionals who see genuinely good off-market or value-add opportunities;

    • foreign-national / DSCR lenders;

    • multifamily operators or investors open to JV structures;

    • CPAs, EAs and attorneys experienced with non-U.S. investors;

    • anyone with experience structuring U.S. LLCs, Section 871(d), depreciation/cost segregation, estate-tax exposure and cross-border U.S./European ownership.

    I’m currently researching Midwest and other cash-flow-oriented markets, but I’m deliberately keeping an open mind until I have enough evidence to choose the right market and strategy.

    I’m not looking for hype or a “get rich quick” approach. I’m trying to build the right network, understand the structure before buying, and then move decisively when the numbers work.

    If you have experience working with foreign investors, know good people I should speak with, or come across deals that might fit this approach, I’d be very happy to connect.

    Thanks,
    Danny

    Happy to chat with you about off market deals

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  • David Sheets
    Member since 2026 · 7 posts · 1 vote
    5d

    Danny, welcome. I already work with several foreign investors buying in Cleveland, so I know the area and what it takes to get loans closed there: which neighborhoods lenders and appraisers are comfortable with, how rent comps hold up at appraisal, and what a lender needs up front from a buyer without U.S. credit. I've flipped over 100 homes myself and done many cash-out refinances, so I look at a deal the way an investor does, not just the way a loan file does. Send me the first property or two you're looking at and I'll tell you what a lender will do on each before you make an offer.

    Dave Sheets, SixtyFour West Capital

    0Reply
  • Arman AhmedPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 972 votes
    4d
    Quote from @Danny Dorland:

    Hi everyone,

    I’m Danny, a Dutch professional actor and singer based in Antwerp, Belgium, and I’m currently building out my first serious U.S. real estate investment strategy.

    I’m coming into this as a foreign investor with capital available to deploy, but my goal is not simply to buy one rental. I want to build a scalable, cash-flowing U.S. portfolio and learn from people who have actually done it.

    I'm currently looking at SFRs, small multifamily and potentially larger multifamily, depending on where the numbers and financing make the most sense. I'm especially interested in value-add opportunities, BRRRR, seller financing, assumable debt, DSCR/commercial financing and selectively Section 8.

    A big focus for me is capital efficiency: strong sustainable cash flow, buying well, creating equity and recycling capital responsibly rather than leaving large amounts of cash trapped in every property.

    I’d especially love to connect with:

    • experienced investors/operators who are open to mentoring or coaching;

    • brokers, wholesalers and acquisition professionals who see genuinely good off-market or value-add opportunities;

    • foreign-national / DSCR lenders;

    • multifamily operators or investors open to JV structures;

    • CPAs, EAs and attorneys experienced with non-U.S. investors;

    • anyone with experience structuring U.S. LLCs, Section 871(d), depreciation/cost segregation, estate-tax exposure and cross-border U.S./European ownership.

    I’m currently researching Midwest and other cash-flow-oriented markets, but I’m deliberately keeping an open mind until I have enough evidence to choose the right market and strategy.

    I’m not looking for hype or a “get rich quick” approach. I’m trying to build the right network, understand the structure before buying, and then move decisively when the numbers work.

    If you have experience working with foreign investors, know good people I should speak with, or come across deals that might fit this approach, I’d be very happy to connect.

    Thanks,
    Danny

    Hey Danny! I like your approach, especially focusing on buying right, building equity, and recycling capital rather than chasing deals just to grow. The Midwest is definitely worth a closer look for cash flow and value-add opportunities, particularly for out-of-state investors. Having the right local team makes a huge difference when you're investing from overseas. I'd be happy to share some insights and opportunities I've come across and see if any fit your investment strategy.

    [email protected]614-418-6081
    1Reply
  • Ashish AcharyaBusiness Member
    CPA, CFP®, PFS · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2017 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    4d

    Danny, welcome to BiggerPockets. I like that you're thinking through the structure before buying, especially as you're planning to build a portfolio rather than just make a single acquisition.

    As a CPA working with real estate investors, I'd put the US tax and ownership structure fairly high on your pre-acquisition checklist. The right structure can affect how rental income, depreciation, financing, and eventual sales are treated, and the answer can be very different for a non-US investor than for someone investing domestically.

    I'd also look carefully at Section 871(d), potential estate-tax exposure, and how any US LLC or partnership structure interacts with your country of tax residence before setting anything up.

    Since you're considering BRRRR and cost segregation, I'd also model the tax consequences alongside the cash-flow and refinancing assumptions rather than treating the tax benefits separately.

    Which market are you currently leaning toward for your first acquisition?

    Feel free to DM me, I’d be happy to send over a few resources that might be helpful as you work through the structure.

    [email protected]941-914-7779
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    1Reply
  • Melissa HaworthBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · The Panhandle | The Emerald Coast | Panama City Beach | Destin · Member since 2017 · 287 posts · 107 votes
    3d

    Welcome Danny! I'm an agent on the Florida Panhandle so I know I'm not your Midwest market, but one thing I'd say to any foreign buyer is to line up your CPA and lender before you shop, which it sounds like you're already doing. FIRPTA and how you hold title come up at closing, and it's way easier to sort out early. If you ever look at Florida, I'd keep insurance and HOA costs high on your list since they can change the cash flow picture a lot. Good luck with the search!

    [email protected]469-658-2869
    0Reply
  • Lee Futcher
    Technology · Vancouver, BC · Member since 2026 · 155 posts · 31 votes
    3d

    Hello Danny,

    Welcome to BiggerPockets. You've had some great advice here already, especially on choosing the property manager before the property, and I agree that's the right order when you're investing from Antwerp.

    So I'll add the question I'd ask every manager you interview: can you show me a real weekly update you send to another remote owner? Open repairs and how long each one has been open, what's happening with any vacancy, and what needs a decision.

    From overseas, that update is how you'll actually know what's going on. If a manager can't show you an example, it's usually a sign they don't send one.

    Have you started interviewing managers yet, or are you still narrowing down the markets?

    Onward,
    Lee

    0Reply
  • Amanda Snyder
    Lender · Newport Beach, CA · Member since 2026 · 9 posts · 5 votes
    2d

    Hi Danny,

    Welcome to BiggerPockets! I love how thoughtful your approach is.

    I'm a Loan Officer at Marshall Reddick, and we work with a lot of foreign national investors. Many of them have had great success in Ohio, Indiana and Texas. Those markets still have reasonable price points and solid cash flow, and they work well for value-add and BRRRR.

    On the financing side, we offer hard money loans for foreign nationals, which can be a great fit for the value-add and BRRRR deals you mentioned. They're based mainly on the deal itself, so you can move quickly on purchases and rehabs without leaving a lot of your own cash tied up in each property.

    I'd love to hear more about your goals and the markets you're looking at. Would there be a good time for us to connect over a quick call? Feel free to send me a DM or email me at [email protected].

    Best,

    Amanda Snyder

    1Reply
    • Brandon Nembhard
      Investor · Member since 2025 · 7 posts · 2 votes
      1d

      Hi Amanda, my name is Brandon. I came across your comment and wanted to connect! I fix and flip properties, but my main focus is buying and selling turnkey investment properties and portfolios in Cleveland, Ohio.

      I'd love to learn more about your lending options for myself and my buyers. I also have a great amount of fully renovated, rent-ready turnkey inventory available. If you work with investors looking for properties in Cleveland, I'd love to connect and explore how we can bring value to each other.

      Let me know if you're available for a quick call!

      1Reply
    • Amanda Snyder
      Lender · Newport Beach, CA · Member since 2026 · 9 posts · 5 votes
      1d

      Hi Brandon, I just sent you a DM! Looking forward to connecting.

      0Reply
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