All Forum Posts by: Anthony L Amos Jr
Anthony L Amos Jr has started 6 posts and replied 528 times.
Post: Small Multi-Family vs. Single-Family for a First Out-of-State Deal?
- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus, OH
- Posts 541
- Votes 721
Quote from @Christopher Rubio:
Hi BP community,
I’m a new investor based in California, looking to start my portfolio through out-of-state investing. My target is the $80K–$125K range in landlord-friendly markets with steady job growth. I’m most interested in BRRRR and buy-and-hold rentals, and I keep going back and forth between starting with a small multi-family (duplex/triplex/fourplex) or a single-family rental.
Here’s where I’m stuck:
- SFRs seem easier to manage and may be less intimidating for a first deal, but the cash flow might be tighter.
- Small multis could bring stronger cash flow and efficiency, but I’ve heard they can be tougher to finance, and vacancies or tenant issues could hit harder if I don’t have a solid team yet.
For those of you who’ve been down this road already:
- Which one did you start with, and why?
- Looking back, would you do it the same way?
- What do you think is the best path for someone investing out of state for the first time?
I’d love to hear your experiences and lessons learned — it’ll help me take action with more clarity and confidence.
Thanks in advance,
Christopher
Great questions and solid criteria. I’ve worked with investors who lean toward SFRs because of appreciation potential, and in some cases they actually cash flow just as well as small multis. But when an SFR is vacant, it’s 100% vacant, no income. With a duplex or triplex, even if one unit turns over, you’ve still got something coming in.
Multis do tend to have higher turnover, but with a good system and team (like you mentioned), it’s manageable. One thing to keep in mind: SFR tenants often handle lawn care and pay water directly, while MFH owners usually keep water in their name unless it’s submetered or billed back through RUBS.
Also consider your budget. You might find a single-family in a better area than a multi at the top end of your range, which could help with long-term appreciation and tenant quality. Either way, make sure you’ve got boots on the ground or a solid PM
Post: Looking to start a new journey of real estate investing
- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus, OH
- Posts 541
- Votes 721
Quote from @Jordan Swift:
Hey all, long time lurker. Trying to soak as much up as I can and read/watch as much as I can. I know the biggest hurdle is fear and taking the step/jumping in. I think, thats where I am at. I am in Indiana, 1hr north of Indy and 1hr south of Fort Wayne. I would like to start my journey with STR or mid term rentals. I have no debt other than my current primary residence. I would like to start local as I have 2 universities pretty close. Problem is, I am not "in" the network of local realtors/investors who snag up the "deals" first. My goal is financial freedom as my wife and I both had full time jobs. But I would love to start and eventually have some STRs out of state that generate a more passive income, vacation home, and maybe retire in it one day. Im not afraid at taking some risk, as my current "hobby" is buying and selling large farm equipment from deals and auctions. I just havent dont have the knowledge of the banking, taxes, loans, etc. of real estate. Looking forward to speaking with you.
You're in the right spot. Just showing up and asking questions is how most of us got started. Since you're in Indiana, I'd jump into some local real estate Facebook groups and check if there's a REIA nearby. If not, you can totally start one yourself. Even as a beginner, you'll attract others who want to learn, and maybe even some seasoned investors who are down to share game.
Also, podcasts and books are great. The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller is a solid mindset builder. Since you're leaning toward short-term and mid-term rentals, check out Short Term Rental, Long Term Wealth by Avery Carl and 30 Day Stay by Jesse Vasquez. Both break down the playbook for STRs and MTRs in a way that’s easy to follow.
You’ve already got the hustle from flipping farm equipment, real estate’s just the next level.
Post: Advice on finding buyers
- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus, OH
- Posts 541
- Votes 721
Quote from @Deonte' Powell:
- Just got my first property under contract in Toledo near the University area. I’m working on building my buyers list — curious what strategies have worked best for you all in finding reliable buyers who actually close?
Congrats on locking up your first deal!
When it comes to finding buyers who actually close, a few things have worked well for me, joining local Facebook investor groups (great for networking and deal feedback), calling agents and property managers who work with investors, and reaching out to title companies, especially ones that handle assignments. They usually know who’s active and closing.
Also, cold calling recent cash transactions near your property can be gold. Those buyers already proved they’ll close if the numbers make sense.
And yeah, buyers need room to make money. If the rehab numbers are off or you’re the only one eating, it’s gonna be a tough sell. Keep it honest, leave some margin, and you’ll build a solid list over time.
Post: Im looking to flip BRRRR in Columbus Ohio
- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus, OH
- Posts 541
- Votes 721
Quote from @Zalman Schurder:
Im looking to flip in Columbus Ohio. Any flippers from the area that can shed some light on the numbers and what to expect?
Wholesalers, Realtors, Where you at?
Hey, good to see another flipper looking at Columbus. Your post is a little too general though, do you have a sample deal or a target neighborhood in mind? Numbers vary a lot depending on where you're looking. Are you thinking about areas like Linden, Franklinton, or maybe something closer to Clintonville? Also, what's your budget and how deep are you willing to go on the rehab? Some flips here come with foundation issues and full gut jobs, while others are more cosmetic. That makes a big difference in timelines and contractor costs. Are you planning to manage the rehab yourself or hire it out? The more details you share, the easier it is for agents, wholesalers, and other flippers to jump in with real advice
Post: Newbie looking for tips!
- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus, OH
- Posts 541
- Votes 721
Quote from @Rachel Gutierrez:
Hello, my name is Rachel. I am a nurse practitioner by trade, absolutely love my job, but it is demanding and I would love to scale back and be able to spend more time at home! I've always had an interest in real estate and am just now getting to it! Any tips or advice on how or where to begin would be appreciated!
Hey Rachel, welcome to the world of real estate—great to have you here. Since you're already juggling a demanding career, you might want to consider starting out as a private money lender (PML). It’s a way to stay involved without trading one high-stress schedule for another. You’ve got a solid income, which puts you in a great position to learn the ropes while building relationships with active investors, agents, and other professionals. Lending to experienced operators can be a smart way to get exposure, ask questions, and see how deals work from the inside. Take your time, soak up knowledge, and when you're ready to be more hands-on, you'll have a strong foundation and network to lean on.
Post: New Real Estate Investor
- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus, OH
- Posts 541
- Votes 721
Quote from @Aaron Arguelles:
Hi everyone! My name is Aaron. I am a new real estate investor based out of Utah. My strategy and goal are to buy rental properties, specifically small 2-4 unit multifamily properties, and then scale up to larger commercial rental properties. I'm currently looking at the Mid West market and properties in Ohio, like the Cleveland and Akron area. I've been listening to some episodes from the Real Estate Rookie podcast and reading some books as well. I would love any advice or tips as I am going through this journey and working on finding my first property! Thanks everyone!
I recommend planning a short trip to get boots on the ground. Spending 3 to 5 days in the area will give you time to drive both markets, tour neighborhoods, and meet with key local contacts. Set up interviews with licensed agents and property managers, wholesalers, contractors, lenders, and real estate attorneys. You may also want to connect with title reps, inspectors, and insurance brokers to round out your team. If possible, attend a local REIA or investor meetup while you're in town to build relationships and get a feel for the local investor community. Seeing the area firsthand and meeting your team face to face will give you a stronger foundation for making confident investment decisions.
Post: Out of state investing
- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus, OH
- Posts 541
- Votes 721
Quote from @Cody Miracle:
I have just recently discovered the possibility of real estate investing and I'm concerned whether I should invest out of state or not. I currently live in San Diego but seem to find the area too expensive for my liking. I am active duty military so I move around every few years for work, so I'm trying to decide if buying a property here and house hacking for the next couple of years until I move or making my first investment in a cheaper area is the better option.
Since you move every few years, house hacking at each new location is a smart play. Buy a place, live in part of it, rent out the rest. Your housing allowance can help cover the mortgage, and you build equity while keeping costs low. As you relocate, build a network of local property managers and contractors, or use tools like RentRedi or TenantCloud to manage remotely. If San Diego feels too expensive, consider buying at your next duty station in a more affordable market. You’re in a great spot to build wealth with each move.
Post: Priorities after Submitting an Offer
- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus, OH
- Posts 541
- Votes 721
Quote from @Craig Cann:
Hello All,
We just put in our first offer today on a off market SF in Columbus OH.
What are the top things you try and tackle once your offer is accepted?
I'm setting up an appointment with inspector, contractor, PM, and insurance company.
As far as the inspection goes, do I need a different inspector to scope the sewer line, checking for radon, or maybe there's something else I missed?
How many contractors do you get estimates from 3? Do you use the PM contractor? Do you call their references? if they give you the reference isn't usually gonna be from someone they think would talk highly of them..?
How many PM do you interview 3? I'v talked to a couple and the rates seem to be about the same it seems its all about the service?
How many insurance companies are you getting quotes from 3?
My agent sent me a "Rolodex" of lots of contacts but I'm open to see if any actually investors could share who they use. If anyone is open to sharing who they use I'd appreciate it.
Thanks in advance, Craig
Nice job taking action and getting your first offer in—huge step forward. That said, it’s best to have your team lined up before submitting. Speed is everything once you're under contract, and scrambling to find people can slow you down or cost you the deal.
Referrals are helpful, but don’t rely on them blindly. Just because someone works well for me doesn’t mean they’ll be a fit for you. Everyone operates differently, so talk to a lot of contractors, PMs, inspectors, etc. until you find people who match your style and expectations.
Keep pushing forward—you're on the right track. Just tighten the prep and you'll move even faster next time.
Post: New investor wanting to grow portfolio
- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus, OH
- Posts 541
- Votes 721
Quote from @Chris Luckscheiter:
I am 1 year into this real estate journey and am looking to connect with like minded investors, wholesalers, and lenders who can assist me in growing my portfolio of rentals and flipping houses. Since I am a small fish in this big pond of investing, it is a challenge to get access to deals. By joining this community, my hope is that I will be able to gain access to some deals that will allow me to achieve my real estate goals.
You're on the right track just by putting yourself out there. One of the best ways to level up fast is by showing up—go to local REI meetups, join FB groups, attend networking events, and actually talk to people. Deals flow through relationships, and people work with people they like. Once you build trust, you'll start seeing the same opportunities the bigger players are getting.
I’d also recommend building a simple system for quickly analyzing deals and raising capital at the same time. That way, when something pops up, you’re not scrambling—you already know your numbers and who you can call (family, friends, other investors) to fund it.
If you're in Columbus, definitely check out the Columbus REIA group. It's been a great resource for connecting with active investors and getting plugged into the local scene. Keep showing up and adding value—your deal flow will follow.
Post: Choosing a market
- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus, OH
- Posts 541
- Votes 721
Quote from @William Breymann:
Hey all, looking for thoughts as I hone in on a market. I had basically settled on Ohio and was between Columbus and Cleveland, but also looking at Dayton. I had connected with a couple RE agents through bigger pockets and they were sending me deals which looked great compared to my home market in Western MA. After I started digging into crime stats and school ratings and looking at street views they didn't look so great though.
We were just in Saratoga, NY and walked a beautiful house that we were talking about partnering on with a family member. It turned out they aren't serious and I'm not ready to take on the risk and work required to manage a hybrid STR/MTR that I believe it would take to make it viable, and also don't want to put the majority of our HELOC into one property. Anyway, I've started looking at spots that actually get me excited. For me this isn't large cities and bars and nightlife but lakes, mountains and beaches and outdoor destinations. Around me in the Northeast, I've been looking in Warwick, RI, Burke, VT, and upstate NY, particularly Saratoga and Lake George areas. All small markets and expensive. Not cash flowing with my financing unless you STR or MTR.
I'm currently considering targeting more affordable metro areas but looking at areas close to parks or natural attractions but also hosptials to open up the option for STR but more so MTR to traveling healthcare folks. I work in healthcare and have met and know many travelers. Currently looking at areas outside of Raleigh, NC (have a family member close) and have moved back to Cleveland as it has Lake Erie which I like.
Anyway, long story just to ask your thoughts on whether I'm thinking too much about the locations and whether I like them vs if they make financial sense. Have had people tell me I won't be spending time there and it doesn't matter which I know is true. On the other hand having a place that we could potentially visit if there were vacancies or could make into a vacation while checking in on it makes sense too. Appreciate any thoughts and curious how you settled on your market, especially if it was out of state?