All Forum Posts by: Jeremy Melloul

Columbus is a great city to invest in. I moved here from Los Angeles (not a great place to invest) 3 years ago specifically for the real estate market here. I’ve learned a ton in my time here. I own, buy, sell and live in this city, I’m happy to help any way I can. Welcome!

Quote from @Ryan Ramola:

Hey everyone,

I’m based in Oxford, MS and currently exploring my first out-of-state rental investment, with Columbus, OH catching my attention as a potential hot spot. From what I’ve seen in other posts and market research, Columbus seems to have solid rental demand and relatively affordable entry prices, especially compared to many other metro areas.

Here’s my current situation:

• I own one property here in Oxford that was our primary residence for 2 of the past 5 years.

• It’s currently on the market for sale, and we’re estimating around $160K–$180K in equity.

• Since it was our primary for 2+ years, we’re hoping to avoid capital gains tax using the IRS exemption.

• If it doesn't sell, we're looking into options to pull out some of that equity (HELOC, cash-out refi, etc.) to reinvest and grow our rental portfolio. Currently we have a 5.375% interest rate.

My goal is to use this capital to pick up a rental or two in a market with good long-term potential, and Columbus keeps coming up as a solid choice.

I’d love to connect with:

• Anyone investing in the Columbus area — What neighborhoods should I be looking at?

• Other out-of-state investors — What advice do you have for managing properties from afar?

• Agents, wholesalers, or PMs with local knowledge — I’m open to deals or partnerships if they make sense.

Appreciate any input, stories, or recommendations. Just trying to build smart and learn from those who’ve been there.

Thanks!

— Ryan

Same here! That’s actually what drew me to Columbus—I moved here about three years ago and now I invest and sell real estate in the area. I can definitely suggest some neighborhoods, just gotta get a better idea of what your goals are first.

Hey Nick—welcome to the big leagues.

House hacking is a solid move if you're planning to live in the property, but it's not really the go-to for out-of-state investing. Where are you looking to buy?

Like with any investment, there's always the possibility things go sideways—but that doesn't mean you shouldn't take calculated risks. My first deal was a BRRRR and it worked out. I didn't have a full team in place beforehand, but doing the deal forced me to build one—and that's the same team I still use today.

Referrals are gold when it comes to finding good contractors, lenders, etc. I’d start by connecting with an investor-friendly agent who can help source deals and point you toward the right people to build out your team.

Flips are totally fine for your first deal—as long as you’ve got your ducks in a row. And honestly, it’s not that hard to get those ducks together.

Hey Nick- welcome to the big show. Sure house hacking is a great option if you want to invest in where you live; not so much for out of state investing. Where are you looking to invest? Like any investment, theres always the possibility of it going south but with that being said, that doesnt mean you should take calculated risks. The first deal i did was a BRRRR and it worked out for me. I didnt have a team inplace prior to doing that deal but doing the deal helped me put my team in place, one that I now use on all of my deals. Referals are a great way to find contractors, lenders, etc. Id start by finding a source for your deals, ie, an investor friendly agent who can source you deals and refer you out people in order to build your team. Flips are just fine to start granted you have your ducks in a row. Its not very hard to put those ducks together.

I'd look into Boom City, aka Columbus, OH. This city def meets your criteria

Man, congrats—that’s a great position to be in. Here’s my quick take:

1031 into the 4-unit — solid move if you want to keep it simple and avoid taxes. It’s steady, safe, and adds $1K/month, but if your goal is to exit the W2 grind in a couple years, that extra $1K probably won’t move the needle much. Feels like more of a wealth preservation play than a growth one.

S&P + margin loan — more aggressive, more flexibility. You’d take the tax hit but still have access to capital to pounce on a flip or multifam when the right deal pops up. Just remember margin isn’t free money—it works great until it doesn’t, especially if the market takes a dip while you're mid-flip.

Keep cash, build mobile on your primary, invest the rest — honestly this might be the best mix of income + optionality. $2,500/mo from the mobile is a nice chunk of change, plus you’ve still got $100K ready to go for the next deal. It gives you some breathing room and room to move fast when opportunity shows up.

If I were in your shoes, I’d probably lean toward option 3. It builds cash flow now, keeps you liquid, and gives you more ways to attack without locking it all into one play.

Either way, good on you for stacking up that kind of equity—just don’t go spending it all on vending machines and vending machine courses.

Quote from @Michael A.:

Looking to invest in different cities and states. Primarily fix and flips. Looking at Columbus, Youngstown, Dayton, Ohio. Also, looking at other Midwest markets. I have one city so far where I have a handyman, general contractor, property manager I trust. How do I build a team in other cities and states? I don’t want to be limited to just one city. Also, how do I find a good investor friendly real estate agent that can help me make offers on flip opportunities and also actively look for them. I normally look for houses under $100,000 and perhaps agents view it as a waste of time because they don’t make that much money from it. 

Hey Michael – I’m an agent here in Ohio who helps investors find solid deals and build out their team. I’ll shoot you a DM.

Quote from @Tarek Belal:

Hi all! For those investing in OH, if you're primary goal is cash flow, looking at small multi-family, would you invest in Columbus or Cincinnati ? Pros / Cons of each ? I see both are started to get oversaturated with investors. Thank you!

Hey Tarek—

Cash flow is possible in those cities, but I’d set realistic expectations on how much. Dayton and Cleveland are stronger plays for cash flow. I own there myself and recently sold a duplex where my client’s cash flowing $1,000/month. These kinds of deals exist—I find them often and broker them to my clients. You’ll hear mixed opinions, which is fair—we all have different experiences. But based on mine, I can confidently say: it is possible.

What's up, Jacob!  Yeah, man, a bunch of other guys in my office and I would be happy to take you on. I suggest you stop by our office during the week and meet some of us. I'll DM you the addy.

Solid plan, man. I’m not in South Florida, but here’s my advice—don’t get discouraged if your first deal doesn’t go how you hoped. It happens to all of us, especially when you’re just starting out. Keep at it, and props to you for taking action.

Hi Kevin—

Investing long-distance is not only possible — it’s common. Over 25% of real estate investors buy outside their home state, and I was one of them. Before moving to Columbus, OH, I remotely flipped and managed projects here without knowing a single person besides my agent. That one connection helped me build the team I needed — contractors, property managers, inspectors — all without being on the ground. Fast forward to today, I live in Columbus and now help out-of-state investors do exactly what I did.

Have you looked into Columbus? It’s one of the most affordable metros in the U.S. with strong rent-to-price ratios, steady population growth, and a booming job market anchored by Intel and Ohio State. If you’re serious about investing remotely, this city deserves a look.