All Forum Posts by: Divya Santhanam

wow this is a great post, hoping to find more info on the area for the last 4 years! did you by chance run those numbers anytime? 

thanks, josh

 @Remington Lyman sends great emails regarding hot Columbus properties. I recommend him. Also recommend Isabelle Trepkoski (a BP member).

Hey Divya, I moved to Columbus a few years ago (from Portland, Oregon which was super expensive) to become a full time real estate investor, and ever since, I've completed quite a lot of BRRRRs, flips, and own a successful rental portfolio here in Columbus Ohio. There's so many catalysts for population and job growth (Intel, Honda, Amazon, Nationwide Hospital, etc). I can definitely tell you there's still a lot of positive cash flowing and 1% rule deals and you get amazing appreciation. As an investor and agent here in Columbus Ohio, if you have any questions or want to connect, definitely reach out!

 Welcome to Columbus! 

I have been buying rental properties in Columbus, Ohio for the past 6 years. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Hey Divya, I moved to Columbus from Florida to focus on the real estate. After seeing the rapid growth I had to jump on the opportunity. Columbus is a great option for appreciation. 

How many properties are you looking to buy every year? Cash-flow focused investors are seeing the most success when they scale to a larger sized portfolio so if a property stops performing the others will absorb the costs. You will find the highest cash-flow in C grade neighborhoods. If you want greater cash-flow and less appreciation Dayton is good choice as well. 

@Divya Santhanam

I'd be cautious.  I think a lot of CA / HCOL area investors go into Ohio / the Midwest with unrealistic expectations.  Is Columbus a great market to invest in?  Yes.  Are you going to buy solid properties in good neighborhoods with conventional financing, and then 'cash flow' in month 1 or year 1, or even in the first few years?  No.  

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1159104-overl...

It will take a creative strategy or a combination of creative strategies to actually cash flow.

Same thing here in Pittsburgh.  Is Pittsburgh a great market to invest in?  Yes.  Can you buy a reasonably priced property in a solid neighborhood that will make a great rental?  Yes.  Will you 'cash flow' on that property for the first few years?  No.  And can you absolutely lose your shirt if you buy on the wrong street in the wrong neighborhood even if the numbers look great on paper and that property has nice countertops?  Yes.

Hope this helps.

@Divya Santhanam
The Columbus market is great. I recommend areas like Hilltop, Linden, Eastmoor/ Whitehall, and Franklinton. These are areas where you can cash flow in Columbus because the rent-to-price ratio is favorable. Out of these areas, Franklinton and Linden are seeing some of the most developments, with things like the ONE Linden plan in Linden, which is a 50M plan to improve the neighborhood. Of that 50M, 25M was allocated for the construction of a new recreational faculty that has since been completed. Franklinton has been seeing lots of developments like the completion of Gravity Phase 1 and phases 2 and 3 on the way. As well as coffee shops like Bottoms Up Coffee are moving in and small microbreweries like brew dog and land grant.

@Divya Santhanam, we are Investors and General Contractors for many out of state clients. Columbus is a great market to invest in and because of that is also very competitive. I would build as many relationships as possible and be ready to act fast when something does interest you.