All Forum Posts by: Kerlous Tadres

Welcome back! Since you're starting with fix-and-flips before transitioning to multifamily, pick a city where small (2-4 unit) and mid-sized (5-20 unit) properties are accessible and in demand. choosing the right market is key. You'll want a city with strong buyer demand, solid ARV spreads, and rental potential for long-term growth.

Ohio has some great opportunities right now. Markets like Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland offer strong demand for flips, while also having plenty of multifamily deals to scale into. If cash flow is your priority, cities like Dayton and Toledo have low entry costs with strong rental yields. Since you've invested out of state before, having a solid local team will be key, especially for managing flips remotely.

What kind of properties are you looking for, and do you have any markets in mind?

Hey Alex, welcome to the real estate investing world! It’s great to see you taking action. Here are a few tips to help you get started with finding cash-flowing single-family homes in Tampa:

1. 
   

   Market Research – Get familiar with different neighborhoods in Tampa and identify areas with strong rental demand and reasonable property prices.

2. 
   

   Networking – Join local real estate meetups, REI groups, and online communities (BiggerPockets, Facebook groups, LinkedIn) to connect with experienced investors.

3. 
   

   Deal Analysis – Use tools like BiggerPockets calculators, Rentometer, and Zillow to run numbers on potential deals. Always factor in property management, maintenance, and vacancies.

   
   

4. Financing Options – Look into conventional loans, DSCR loans, or private lending if needed.

   
   

5. Build a Team – Connect with investor-friendly agents, lenders, property managers, and contractors who can support your journey.

If you ever want to discuss deals or need help analyzing numbers, feel free to reach out! Best of luck on your investing journey!

Hey Nicholas, 

Financing is a huge challenge, and I think it's best to try to find an off market deal, then find experienced investors to join you to buy those deals with you!

That’s a tough situation. But here’s the best course of action:

This is the legal first step before filing for eviction. Make sure it’s properly delivered (posted on the door, certified mail, etc.).

If they don’t leave, go to your local court and file an eviction case. The process usually moves quickly, and if you win, the court will issue a Writ of Restitution to have them removed.

Unfortunately, eviction doesn’t automatically get your money back. You may need to sue them in small claims court, garnish wages, or send the debt to collections.

If time is more valuable than principle, offering them a small amount to leave peacefully could speed things up.

In the future, strict tenant screening and solid lease agreements will help avoid this mess. Hope this helps, stay persistent, and don’t let them take advantage of you!

Cash out refi and buy more properties outright (cashflow would be high, growth is linear) would probably be the best! Refinancing would have you avoid taxes and also allow you to scale up which is a win-win. Real estate is always a long term game(with the right assets obviously)

Ohio could be a great option for you if you're looking to enter real estate without stretching your finances too thin. Compared to New Jersey and even parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio offers lower property prices, strong rental demand, and solid cash flow opportunities.

With your financial position, you could easily leverage DSCR loans or conventional financing to acquire rental properties without needing to sell off your Vanguard holdings. Cities like Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati have strong job markets, growing populations, and affordable multi-family properties that can generate 8–10%+ cash-on-cash returns.

Since you're open to out-of-state investing, Ohio’s landlord-friendly laws and experienced property management companies make it easier to own rentals remotely. It could be a great way to start diversifying into real estate while keeping your long-term investment strategy intact. Have you looked into any specific Ohio markets yet?

Hey Josh,

Congrats on reaching this milestone! A 1.5-hour commute multiple times a week can be draining, so if you go that route, choose a location with good transit or highway access. Otherwise, the long-term impact on your lifestyle might not be worth the first-time homebuyer benefits.

Keeping your affordable rental while claiming another property as your primary residence can be tricky. Tax benefits often require you to live there, so check with a tax pro before making any moves.

If staying close to work is a priority, house hacking in a more affordable area near Toronto might be your best bet. But if maximizing returns is the goal, consider investing in a stronger cash-flow market like Columbus, Cleveland, or Dayton, where your budget stretches further. You could rent the entire property out and have a local property manager handle everything while you continue renting in Toronto.

If you want to explore options further, happy to help!

Hey David,

Welcome to the world of real estate investing! Coming from big tech, you probably have a great analytical mindset, which will serve you well in this business. The transition from corporate to self-employed life can be a big shift, but the key is to start small, take calculated risks, and build momentum.

A few tips as you get going:

Pick a Strategy That Fits Your Goals – Are you looking for cash flow, long-term appreciation, or a mix of both? House hacking, rentals, and BRRRR are great ways to start without taking on too much risk.

Build Your Network – Surround yourself with experienced investors, investor-friendly agents, lenders, and contractors. The right people will save you from expensive mistakes.

Take Action – Analysis is important, but don’t get stuck overthinking. Find a manageable first deal, learn from it, and keep going.

This community is a goldmine of knowledge, so ask questions and keep learning. If you ever need help navigating your first deal, happy to chat!

Best of luck!

Hawaii is a beautiful market, but it comes with high prices, strict short-term rental (STR) regulations, and the challenge of managing remotely. Since you visit frequently, self-management is possible, but you'll need a strong local team (cleaners, maintenance, emergency contacts).

Breaking even with 20% down on a long-term rental? Tough. High costs and low cap rates make it hard for cash flow. STRs and mid-term rentals (30+ day stays) can be more profitable, but occupancy varies, and local laws can be strict.

Remote management? Doable with automation (keyless entry, pricing tools, guest messaging), but a reliable local team is key.

If cash flow is the goal, have you considered Ohio? Cities like Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati offer much lower entry prices, fewer rental restrictions, and strong returns (8%–12% cap rates vs. Hawaii’s 2%–5%). If appreciation is the play, Hawaii makes sense, but if you want better cash flow with less risk, the Midwest might be worth a look.