All Forum Posts by: Alan Casilla

Hi All,

This post is for those investing / are local / or know Columbus OH very well - Looking for guidance!- References for a Core 4, and other functions you would recommend to add to build a strong team!

Background:

Last week I created my first post "Deciding between 2 markets - stuck in analysis paralysis" where I was deciding between San Antonio TX, and Columbus OH. After some deliberation I have decided to start my out of state investing in Columbus OH!

I have read multiple books / looked up many resources to better equip myself for starting out here.

My Criteria and Areas of interest:

- Looking for 1% rule housing

- B/C Housing areas

- Cash flow primarily - but long term appreciation

- Areas near higher rated Schools / Hospitals

- rising area-clusters of improving median family income

- lower crime rate

Some of the reasons I chose Columbus were, Job Diversity / Population Growth / Higher Education in the area / I saw resiliency to unemployment between 2006-10

What I have done/plan to do/local perspectives I am looking for:

I have done research using websites that may have 2016 census data, but are looking for those who know the area well that can help provide some local and current insight.

I have started out talking to some agents in the area but I would definitely want to create more connections. If you have local insights for me or have trusted connections (of course I will do my own searching through the different forums for contacts, but any help is appreciated) please let me know, especially if there are special considerations for Columbus due to ie. weather, or things only those very familiar with Columbus would recommend to look into. I hope to start off my investing with a solid Core 4 team of 1) Agents 2) Property Managers 3) Contractors 4)Lenders.

If you have any ideas of other functions I should add to that Core 4- please let me know!

Thank you for your time and help!

Hi All,

New investor here! I'm currently doing as much reading and learning as I can about investments (before I make my first purchase) and currently am looking to the mid west/Texas. I currently reside in CA and want to invest in either San Antonio TX or Columbus OH. Some criteria I researched are: Job Diversity, Population Growth, Weather, Higher Education in the area, Unemployment between 2006-2010 (trying to gauge possible unemployment in the near future), Median Family Income, areas of low crime in the city, researching new areas of growth (specifically class B/C).

In the long run I am looking for cash flow, but currently want to focus on appreciation (in order to build capital for future building my portfolio).

I did much analysis and I do have family in the San Antonio area which makes it easier to have a home base and someone with insight to the area. I see population growth is massive for San Antonio, and job market was not as affected in 2008 as Columbus was. In general Columbus has more properties in a lower price range which is enticing to me to be able to invest in more than a single property to start off. I see more opportunity based on price in Columbus, but due to having family / insights to the area in San Antonio I feel more inclined to start there even though it is more expensive than Columbus.

I feel like I am getting close to analysis paralysis. Of all of your experiences, are there any other pieces of criteria I should look into to help push me to a single city?