All Forum Posts by: Lisa Choi

Welcome, Daniel! Exciting goals—you're in the right place to learn and connect. Out-of-state duplexes are a great way to start scaling. Wishing you the best on your journey!

Hey Sam, welcome to the journey!

You’re asking exactly the right questions for someone getting serious about long-distance investing. The research you’re doing is solid: looking at income-to-rent ratios, the 1% rule, and crime stats shows you’re already thinking like a seasoned investor.

That said, it's super common at this stage to feel like the “analysis-paralysis.” A few quick tips:

1. The 1% Rule is harder these days – Especially in 2024-2025, with interest rates and pricing shifts, many strong markets don’t quite hit that rule anymore. Instead, look at cash-on-cash return and factor in things like local property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs.

2. Don't just rely on online data – Talking to local agents, wholesalers, and PMs (property managers) in your target markets will reveal things that City-Data or Zillow can’t. I’m based in San Antonio, TX, and work with investors all the time—happy to share insights if that market's on your radar.

3. Pick 1–2 markets and go deep – Rather than scanning the whole country, narrow it down. Pick markets with strong population/job growth and landlord-friendly laws. Then build your local team and analyze deals consistently.

4. Mistake to avoid: Waiting for the “perfect” deal or market. At some point, you’ve got to trust your numbers and take action—especially on your first one, which is all about learning.

Keep asking questions and lean into the community.

Wishing you a strong first deal before year-end!

Best,

Hey Mattia! Welcome to the BP community. I’m based in San Antonio and work for a brokerage that regularly partners with wholesalers throughout the nation. Always open to connecting, whether you’ve got deals ready to go or are just looking to build relationships in the space. Would love to hear more about what you’re working on and explore how we might collaborate. Best of luck! 

Hey Tanner, 

I have a few contractors I can send.  Shoot me an email. 

Best,

Hey Jay, welcome to the community!

I'm based in San Antonio, Texas and work closely with out-of-state investors—especially those looking for cash-flowing opportunities in markets outside of Austin. San Antonio has been a strong target due to its affordability, growing population, and landlord-friendly environment. Houston and parts of Dallas also offer a range of submarkets with solid rental potential, depending on your investment goals.

A few tips as you're building your out-of-state team:

• Your local agent or wholesaler is key—they’re often your eyes and ears on the ground and can connect you with trusted PMs, contractors, inspectors, and lenders.

• Interview multiple property managers to find someone aligned with your goals—some specialize in value-add, others prefer turnkey.

• Watch for red flags like overly restrictive HOAs or cities with aggressive permitting/code enforcement.

• On financing, a lot of out-of-state buyers are using DSCR loans for their rental deals since they're based on property income instead of personal DTI.

If Texas ends up being a good fit for your strategy, I’d be happy to share what I’m seeing and connect you with some resources here.

Wishing you the best as you get started!

 I am licensed. 😊 Would love to connect!

Awesome story, Gabe! Really inspiring to hear how you built all of this from the ground up. From house hacking to 8 figures and stepping away from the 9–5 by 31… that’s what it’s all about.

I'm based in San Antonio and work with investors daily—mostly sourcing off-market multifamily and BRRRR-friendly deals. I'd love to connect, especially since you're expanding into San Antonio and Houston. Sounds like we're speaking the same language when it comes to scaling smart and staying active in the trenches.

I’ll definitely check out your YouTube channel—it sounds like a great resource for both newer investors and those ready to level up. If you’re ever open to talking shop or need boots on the ground in SA, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Hey, DeWayne! Welcome to BP! Multifamily is a smart space to explore, especially if you're looking for both appreciation and steady income.

When you're getting started, one of the most important things is learning how to analyze deals. You don't need to be a spreadsheet wizard right away—but getting a handle on things like net operating income (NOI), cap rates, and cash-on-cash return will help you make informed decisions.

Some tools worth checking out:

• DealCheck – simple layout, good for comparing multiple properties

• BiggerPockets calculators – especially the multifamily one

• Or even a Google Sheets template if you want more control over the inputs

• Youtube is your best friend! Tons of great content there! 

I work with a lot of investors who are buying duplexes, quadplexes, and small apartment buildings, so if you ever have any questions, I’m always happy to help.

The best thing you can do right now is start looking at real listings and practice running the numbers. Even if you’re not ready to buy yet, the reps add up fast.

Wishing you the best of luck! 

Looking forward to it, Sandeep! 

Hi Sandeep,

Welcome to the community, and congrats on already picking up an OOS property—that’s no easy feat!

Curious—what drew you to McAllen specifically? It’s a unique market with its own dynamics, so I’d love to hear what you’re seeing there.

Would you be open to exploring other Texas metros like Dallas, San Antonio, or Houston? Each offers different strengths depending on whether you're looking for appreciation, cash flow, or value-add opportunities. I’m a licensed agent in San Antonio, and I work exclusively with investors, so I’d be happy to share insights or connect you with boots-on-the-ground resources in any of those markets.

Let me know how I can help!