All Forum Posts by: Joe S.

The OP question is very hypothetical because it leaves out the personal context. 

If you get $10M out of the blue (inheritance), odds are you'll lose it within a year or two. But if you are self-made, you'll continue building on your knowledge. If you were a farmer, you might just buy more land. If you are in tech, maybe you build 3 data centers. If you don't have RE experience and start with $10M chances are you'll blow it.

Preservation becomes your #1 concern; you don't want to go back to working for paychecks, so you'll do whatever feels the safest and that is typically a field you have experience and knowledge.

Hi everyone, 

I'm just starting in the real estate world. I'm reading Brandon Turner's "The book on rental property investing" and I'm puzzled with the examples he gives because he uses rent prices that are around 1% or more of the price house and therefore, he obtains positive cashflow from month one. In my area, that seems very difficult because that ratio is around 0.5% so you basically end up paying the mortgage, taxes and no positive cashflow whatsoever. 

What's your experience? What do you think?

Thanks!

I had an interesting conversation recently that really made me stop and think.

A fellow investor told me they avoid buying from homeowners in foreclosure because they feel it’s “taking advantage of people in crisis.” On the other hand, another investor argued that buying distressed properties helps homeowners by giving them a way out when no one else will.

Two completely different perspectives. Same situation.

Here’s where it gets tricky:

• Some sellers are truly relieved to have a fast, clean exit.

• Others feel pressured and walk away feeling like they lost.

• And investors, depending on their approach, can either build trust or burn bridges.

So, I’m curious how the community views this:

• Do you think buying from distressed homeowners is helping or exploiting?

• Have you ever walked away from a deal because it didn’t “feel right”?

• Where do you personally draw the ethical line?

I think using the term "Cash" in a contract is stupid. Even with a loan the seller gets cash. The issue is, 'Is there a financing contingency"  Simply put in an offer with no financing contingency. Where you get the money won't mater to most people. 

If you need a financing contingency for the hard money make it very short or put up a large EMD.

Hi BP Community,

I’m an active investor here in Jacksonville, focused on creative financing strategies (Subject-To acquisitions) and value-add conversions 

My latest deal is a Subject-To property we’re renovating into a 7–8 room PadSplit. I’m targeting strong monthly cashflow once stabilized.

I’m here to connect with other investors, private lenders, and local partners who are active in the Jacksonville market and interested in learning more about creative strategies. Always happy to share what’s worked for me so far and hear how others are structuring their deals.

Looking forward to building with the community!

— Kevin O., IKAN LLC

When I finally put down my paint brush and began seeking out other real estate investors, I noticed something: every meetup I went to was almost entirely men. Don’t get me wrong, they were welcoming, but I often felt a little out of place. Conversations were dominated by guys, and the few women I met quietly admitted that they felt the same way—intimidated by the room. I enjoyed the speakers and got to know a few people, but I didn’t feel at home, even though I had a significant portfolio of my own. I also noticed that meetups were infrequent. I needed more.

That’s when I decided to do something about it. I started a small gathering just for female investors in my hometown of Savannah, GA. We called it the Savannah Meetup for Lady Real Estate Investors. At the beginning, it was a safe space for women to come together, share ideas, and talk about investing without feeling like outsiders. The ladies who showed up to those first few events were incredible. I was amazed at what we achieved with just a few events.

Within a month or two, something interesting happened: men started showing up. Some of them told me they wanted to attend from the beginning but were hesitant because of the name. The noise got louder: “I want to come, but it’s for women!” That’s when it hit me—we were unintentionally excluding people who wanted to learn and contribute. We quickly rebranded into what is now known as the Cashflow Savannah Meetup.

That small shift changed everything. The group grew into a real community. Today, it’s not just a networking event—it’s a support system. We share vendors, team up on deals, exchange ideas, and genuinely root for each other’s successes. I can honestly say that starting this meetup has been one of the most positive moves I’ve made, not only for my business but also for my personal growth.

Why You Should Start One Too

If you’ve ever felt like you’re navigating real estate—or any business—on your own, a meetup can change that. Here’s why I believe every town should have one:

1. Collaboration beats competition.
Instead of seeing other investors as competitors, you realize how much more you can achieve together. Partnerships form naturally, and opportunities multiply when people pool their strengths.

2. Access to trusted resources.
From contractors to lenders to agents, having a group that openly shares their contacts is invaluable. It saves time, money, and headaches.

3. Accountability and support.
It’s easy to let goals slide when you’re working alone. But when you’re part of a group, you’re motivated to take action because others are doing the same.

4. A safe space to learn.
No matter your level of experience, a meetup gives you a forum to ask questions, learn from others, and share your wins (and losses) without judgment.

5. Now you know “A Guy.”
Real estate is a team sport. Every other day you're going to need a vendor, an opinion on an issue, or a lifeline. The more people you know, the more likely you can solve problems with one or two phone calls or texts.

Growing Your Portfolio as a Team

One of the most powerful outcomes of a meetup is how it impacts your investing journey. Deals that might have seemed out of reach on your own suddenly become possible when you connect with others; local people who have done this before. You gain perspective on new strategies, hear about opportunities you would have missed otherwise, and develop real friendships along the way.

At our most recent meet up, a couple in the audience had just gotten a duplex under contract. They were worried about structural issues found on the inspection report. I connected them with 4-5 attendees who reviewed the report with them and assured them that the duplex was still a solid purchase.

I often tell people: you don’t need to wait for someone else to create the perfect group. If you see a need in your town—whether it’s real estate, small business, or any other interest—step up and start one. You’ll be amazed at how quickly it grows and how much it gives back to you.

Starting the Cashflow Savannah Meetup was never part of some grand plan. It began as a small, casual gathering. But it’s turned into one of the most rewarding parts of my real estate journey. If you’ve ever thought about starting a meetup in your own community, take this as your sign. You won’t regret it.

If you’re ever in Savannah, this is your invitation to stop by one of our events. I can assure you that you’ll leave with a lot of new friends. If you ever want my advice on starting your own meetup, please comment below or reach out anytime. We are truly all in this together.

(Old meetup photo is posted here for reference)

I'm looking to purchase my first property as an out of state investor, and OKC is one of the several cities I've narrowed my search down to. For any active investors/agent in OKC, what are some of the pros and cons of investing there as a single family or small multifamily investor? What have been some of the biggest challenges you've faced thus far? And how realistic is it to find cash flow in the B/C class neighborhoods that OKC has to offer?

Thanks in advance!

 For our next million, we will be focusing on Residential Assisted Living, Storage Facilities & helping our kids build their portfolios. We'll also continue to look for opportunities in the commercial and residential space

What kind of returns do we target?- We treat real estate like we treat stocks- With some investments, we are conservative and more concerned with retaining principal and are betting on appreciation, while with others, we take more risks.  We do have a hurdle rate that we change every 6 months, with the opportunities that involve more risks.

How hands-on? We do not pick up hammers or self-manage.

How scalable?  Can't answer your scalability question

Hey @Carol Burns Ok, honestly, that's not sneaky. Babies are not considered legal occupants, and HUD guidelines protect families with children. Denying someone because of a baby could cross into fair housing issues.

The real focus should be on their credit picture and rental history. Are you actually running their credit? If they don’t qualify under your standards, that’s a valid reason to decline. But babies and dogs are comparing apples with oranges, two different categories, and babies don't create extra septic strain. Diapers and wipes shouldn't be flushed (I'm sure they know this), and that’s an education/lease issue, not a disqualifier. I’d keep it simple and base the decision on their credit and rental qualifications. Otherwise, you risk creating other issues for yourself.

In my own case, I'll be putting the $1M in Crossing 5 from BAM capital. That's what I actually plan to do IRL. This is just the latest deal due diligence has been completed on, I've got no financial connection to the project. I like ground up multifamily development, and participating in such projects as an LP. Love addressing housing shortages. This will take me from 2200+ doors to 2500+ doors as an LP.