All Forum Posts by: Melissa Justice

Hey @Michael Klick

Using a HELOC to finance your first rental can be a great way to leverage equity in your primary residence without tapping into cash savings. The pros include lower interest rates, flexibility, and preserving cash for other opportunities. However, the risks include putting your home at stake, potential for variable interest rates, and short-term borrowing requirements. It's important to ensure you're comfortable with these risks and consult a financial advisor.

If you choose to use a HELOC, consider traditional financing or private loans as alternatives if you prefer not to risk your home.

As for your first rental, markets in the Midwest and Southeast offer great opportunities with turnkey properties that are tenant-ready and appreciating. Cash flow depends on the down payment, but using a HELOC could keep your cash reserves intact while you get started.

Make sure to build a reliable team (property managers, agents, etc.) to help you manage the property while working full-time. That is what our team at Rent to Retirement has been helping investors to do for a decade now with BP. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about analyzing markets or getting started. Most importantly, choose a market that aligns with your goals!

Wishing you much success,

Melissa, Investment Strategist at Rent to Retirement

Hello @Matt Powers

There are REI opportunities in different markets - markets in the Midwest and Southeast of the country are great - where not only are the purchase prices reasonable for most RE investors, but the homes are turnkey (new builds or completely rehabbed homes, tenant ready, systems 10 years of life remaining on them, property management teams in place) with appreciating home value AND appreciating rent with promising passive cash flow.

It really comes down to investing in a growing market, in a good neighborhood & building a great team to support you. It can be a lot of time and work if doing it on your own. It's helpful to work with a reputable team. That is what our team at Rent to Retirement has been helping investors to do for a decade now with BP. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about analyzing markets or getting started. Most importantly, choose a market that aligns with your goals!

Wishing you the best of success!

Melissa

Rent to Retirement Investment Strategist

 I just DMed you!

hey @Lucas DeAndrade!

What many investors do is that they will purchase a handful of REI props in one market and then move on to their next/different market to diversify their portfolio and for added asset protection.

I know Akron is a great submarket to invest in for precisely the reasons you listed. Adding a few more cash flowing props would certainly not hurt!

Wishing you much success!

Best,

Melissa Justice, Investment Strategist at Rent to Retirement

@Ray Tsang It was a pleasure working with you! I look forward to the next! Thank you!

@LaShon Evans Hello!

It's exciting that you're starting your REI journey! If you're concerned about asset protection, LLCs are great for shielding your personal assets, especially if you already have significant wealth. While it's not necessary to set one up immediately, it's worth considering to protect against tenant liability. I recommend consulting with a lawyer or a company that deals with setting up entities to assess what's best for you. Investors tend to incorporate in either Nevada or Wyoming because the corporate veil is the hardest to pierce in those states.

As for market selection, there are great opportunities in the Midwest and Southeast. These markets offer affordable homes, many of which are turnkey (new builds or fully rehabbed), with properties that have 10+ years of life left and are ready for tenants. This helps minimize upfront work and risk, and rental prices are appreciating.

The key is investing in a growing market with strong neighborhoods and building a solid team. It’s time-intensive, so working with experienced teams can make the process smoother. That is what our team at Rent to Retirement has been helping investors to do for a decade now with BP.

Best of luck! Wishing you success!

Melissa
Rent to Retirement Investment Strategist

Welcome @Andrae S Wiggins

There are REI opportunities in different markets - markets in the Midwest and Southeast of the country are great - where not only are the purchase prices reasonable for most RE investors, but the homes are turnkey (new builds or completely rehabbed homes, tenant ready, systems 10 years of life remaining on them, property management teams in place) with appreciating home value AND appreciating rent.

Real estate is and always will be a good idea because it allows you to create lasting generational wealth and leverage cold, hard, tangible assets!

It really comes down to investing in a growing market, in a good neighborhood & building a great team to support you. It can be a lot of time and work if doing it on your own. It's helpful to work with a reputable team. That is what our team at Rent to Retirement has been helping investors to do for a decade now with BP. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about analyzing markets or getting started. Most importantly, choose a market that aligns with your goals!

Wishing you the best of success!

Melissa

Rent to Retirement Investment Strategist

Hello @Timothy Villa, 

Welcome to the BP community! We are glad you are here! 

Passive income is certainly the name of the game - building a real estate portfolio and creating generational wealth are key ingredients to long term holistic financial health and success.

There are fantastic real estate investment opportunities in various markets, particularly in the Midwest and Southeast of the country. These regions offer affordable prices for most investors, with homes that are turnkey—either newly constructed or fully renovated, tenant-ready, and with systems that still have 10+ years of life remaining. Many of these areas also benefit from both rising home values and increasing rents.

Ultimately, successful investing comes down to selecting a growing market, a strong neighborhood, and building a reliable team to support you. It can be time-consuming and challenging if you try to do everything on your own, so partnering with a trusted team can make all the difference. At Rent to Retirement, we've been helping investors navigate these opportunities for over a decade, and we're here to guide you too. If you have any questions about market analysis or how to get started, don't hesitate to reach out. Just make sure the market you choose aligns with your investment goals!

Wishing you the best,
Melissa
Rent to Retirement Investment Strategist

Hello @Alev G.

Welcome to the BP community!

There are really great REI opportunities in different markets - markets in the Midwest and Southeast of the country are particularly lucrative - where not only are the purchase prices reasonable for most RE investors, but the homes are turnkey (new builds or completely rehabbed homes, tenant ready, systems 10 years of life remaining on them, property management teams in place) with appreciating home value AND appreciating rent. The amount of cash flow on a home will of course be contingent on the down payment. Putting less down may subsequently put you in a break-even scenario or possibly even a negative cash flow. However, some investors don't mind this strategy if they prefer not to put a lot of liquid in up front and plan to refi out within a few years of closing (which seems to be a great option with the talks of the FED reducing interest rates this year).

It really comes down to investing in a growing market, in a good neighborhood & building a great team to support you. It can be a lot of time and work if doing it on your own. It's helpful to work with a reputable team. That is what our team at Rent to Retirement has been helping investors to do for a decade now with BP. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about analyzing markets or getting started. Most importantly, choose a market that aligns with your goals!

Wishing you the best of success!
Melissa
Rent to Retirement Investment Strategist

Hello @Vince Au,

Thank you for sharing your story here. I admire your steadfastness and perseverance during those volatile, uncertain times and continuing to have a great, positive attitude.

In regard to REI investing currently - There are great real estate investment opportunities across different markets, especially in the Midwest and Southeast. These areas not only offer reasonable purchase prices for most investors but also feature turnkey homes—either newly built or fully renovated, ready for tenants, with systems that still have 10+ years of life remaining, and property management teams in place. In addition, these markets are seeing both home values and rents appreciate.

Cash flow from a property will depend on your down payment. A smaller down payment could result in breaking even or even a negative cash flow. However, some investors are fine with this strategy if they prefer to minimize their upfront investment and plan to refinance in a few years, especially with potential interest rate cuts from the Fed this year.

At the end of the day, it’s all about investing in a growing market, selecting a solid neighborhood, and building a strong team to support you. It can take a lot of time and effort if you go it alone, so having a trusted team can be a huge advantage. Our team at Rent to Retirement has been helping investors with this for over a decade, and we’re here to assist you too. If you have any questions about market analysis or how to get started, feel free to reach out. Above all, choose a market that aligns with your goals! Don't let "analysis-paralysis" prevent you from your next great deal(s)!

Wishing you success,
Melissa
Rent to Retirement Investment Strategist