All Forum Posts by: Christopher Laws

Hi Matt!

Welcome to the forums! I am in the same boat as you. I live in Boston but am looking outside the city, as even if I could afford the list prices of places here, they still wouldn't cash flow. I've got one MFH in Worcester now, but am getting more and more interested in out-of-state deals. 

How did you settle on those two markets?

I second @Brie Schmidt . Having financing in place will also help you act quickly if you find a property you like. No need to put the cart before the horse!

As an outsider, I am surprised he is having trouble renting the properties out. Jacksonville has a pretty good vacancy rate compared to other large metro areas (7.2% in Q1 2014) according to the Census. 

I actually just started looking at Jacksonville area as an out-of-state investor so I'm interested in learning about the area from people on the ground.

@Mike Aschettino 

Welcome! I've got one deal done in Worcester, inspired by what I've learned here. There is actually a pretty good-sized network of people with experience in Central Mass, but I'd be happy to share any experience I've gleaned too.

@Rachel Randolph 

Thanks for starting the conversation. I just listened to the podcast too and am similarly inspired and similarly limited. I've got one deal done semi-locally, but am looking to go out of state now given the limited opportunities where I live.

Low prices are exactly the goal, @Mike Hurney !

Hi Zach,

Yes, I am in Boston and working on my first deal out in Worcester.

Hi @Zach Keenan , welcome to the forum!

Just curious, in what geographies of Massachusetts are you looking to manage properties? Just north of Boston or all over? I know there is a pretty big contingency of MA people here, though a bunch are in or focused on Metro West.

Thanks @Ann Bellamy and @Charles Gillis ! I'll look into those suggestions.

Hi folks,

Anyone have contacts at property managers you trust in the Worcester, MA area? I am looking at a few properties out there, but live in Boston so I'd rather have someone on the ground to manage. The realtor with whom I am working does not have any specific recommendations and I trust you all more than random googling.

I'd be buying a 3-4 family house, around 150-200k. One of the potential properties has a tenant who has been acting as the de facto manager, but I'd rather professionalize it as I know you can get into all sorts of liability mess unless you specifically pay the tenant as an independent contractor.

Thanks!