All Forum Posts by: Melissa Justice

Hey @Cole Bossert! Welcome to the BP community!

I wanted to share some advice and answer the questions you posted from my own experience being in RE in different capacities for over 12 years:

Have any of you been in a similar situation where multiple partners were involved? What are some common issues you faced, and how did you resolve them?   - I have one of my LLCs with a family member that is a 50/50 partner. Issues we faced were conflicting opinions on the next home we should purchase for our portfolio and what upgrades to do when we were doing a flip, the cost of labor and materials, etc. We resolved them by constantly reminding each other about the bigger picture (the profit we can make and how we can scale) and having full transparency. That really is the only way to have an efficient professional partnership - total open communication whether the conversation is pleasant or sour. 

For those of you who’ve invested in student housing, what are some things you wish you had known before diving in? Any tips on managing properties rented by students? - I would have regular check-ins to make sure the property is being cared for and not destroyed. If the students do not have the income or credit to warrant the rent amount, I would require that they get a cosigner (like a parent or another relative that can vouch for them). Students tend to take better care of the home when they know their relative is on the hook for damage, etc.

We’re primarily focused on long-term buy-and-hold properties, but we don’t want to miss opportunities to flip for a quick profit. How do you balance these strategies, and what signals do you look for in deciding to hold or flip a property? It really depends on the markets you are looking in, if you have the bandwidth to handle general contractors and their subs, and the amount of capital/liquid you have. I think buy and hold is a better long-term strategy in terms of scaling and definitely comes with much more tax savings incentives to offset your regular income.

If you were in my shoes, what would you prioritize at this stage of the journey? - Definitely long term buy and hold of TURNKEY rental investment properties.

Wishing you much success,

Melissa Johnsen

Welcome @Juan Carlos Correa!

Best cashflow areas by far are in the Midwest and Southeast markets - great cash flow, great home appreciation as well as rental appreciation, cost of living is a lot less as compared to other parts of the country, great work force! If you can purchase a turnkey investment property in these areas, it's a slam dunk.

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 Johnsen
Rent to Retirement Investment Strategist

Welcome @Nick Burrell!

Glad to have you on the BP forum! My home base is Detroit, Michigan :-) but I work to pair investors with turnkey rental investment properties nationally. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions! Would love to connect. 

Best,

Melissa Johnsen, Investment Strategist

Rent to Retirement

@Frankie Paterno hey!

Areas that cash flow well (of course this is contingent on your down payment when financing the home) are states in the Midwest and Southeast of the country - reasonable purchase prices, great home appreciation, great rental appreciation and growing work forces! I can send some turnkey properties your way to have a look if you'd like.

Best of luck,

Melissa Johnsen, Investment Strategist

Rent to Retirement

Hello @Yaumari Gonzalez - I'm a licensed agent in NJ as well! My advice would be to look outside of NJ. NJ is notoriously one of the most expensive states to live and invest in. I would focus more in the Southeast and Midwest of the country and on turnkey rental properties so that there is more peace of mind when holding the homes. I have some inventory in these markets that might appeal to you. Let me know and I look forward to connecting!

Best of luck!

Melissa Johnsen, Investment Strategist

Rent to Retirement 

@Noe Alonzo Nesmith Jr - Hey!

Were you interested in other parts of the Midwest and Southeast of the country? Turnkey rental investment props in particular? Let me know and I can send some exclusive inventory your way that consists of new builds and completely rehabbed homes. Annual home appreciation, rental appreciation and the property management teams in these markets are attractive for investors too. 

Wishing you much success!

Best,

Melissa Johnsen, Investment Strategist

Rent to Retirement

Hey @Andrew Katz - How do you feel about Turnkey rental investment props in the South Bend, Indiana area - about 1.5 hours from Chicago, close to Notre Dame U, workmanship is beautiful and about 4% rental appreciation annually and purchase price under $200k. Private message me and I can send some along your way. 

Wishing you much success!

Melissa Johnsen, Investment Strategist

Rent to Retirement

Hey @Rahul P.,

Great REI props can be found in various markets, particularly in the Midwest and Southeast regions of the U.S. These areas not only feature affordable purchase prices for many investors but also offer turnkey homes—either newly constructed or fully renovated—ready for tenants. These properties often have systems with about ten years of life left and are situated in neighborhoods with appreciating property values and rental income.

The cash flow from a property largely depends on your down payment. A lower down payment might lead to a break-even scenario or even negative cash flow. However, some investors embrace this strategy, especially if they want to minimize their upfront capital and plan to refinance within a few years—particularly with ongoing discussions about the Federal Reserve potentially lowering interest rates into 2025. The good news is that with the right approach, you can also achieve positive cash flow in these markets.

Ultimately, success in real estate investing hinges on selecting a growing market, a desirable neighborhood, and building a strong support team. Navigating this journey alone can be time-intensive, so partnering with a reputable team can make all the difference. That is what our team at Rent to Retirement has been doing for the past decade with BP. I'm here to answer any questions you may have about analyzing markets or getting started. Most importantly, choose a market that aligns with your investment goals for the best results!

Wishing you all the success!

Melissa Johnsen
Rent to Retirement Investment Strategist

Hello @Sinuway Martinez,

There are real estate investment opportunities across various markets, particularly in the Midwest and Southeast regions of the U.S. These areas not only offer reasonable purchase prices for many investors, but also feature turnkey homes—either newly built or fully renovated—ready for tenants, with systems that still have around ten years of life left. Additionally, properties in these markets tend to appreciate in both value and rental income.

The cash flow from a property will depend largely on your down payment. A smaller down payment might lead to a break-even situation or even negative cash flow. However, some investors are comfortable with this approach, especially if they prefer to limit their initial capital and plan to refinance a few years after purchase—particularly as discussions about the Federal Reserve lowering interest rates into 2025 continue.

Ultimately, successful investing hinges on selecting a growing market, a desirable neighborhood, and assembling a strong support team. Managing everything solo can be quite time-consuming, so collaborating with a reputable team is beneficial. For the past decade, our team at Rent to Retirement has been helping investors navigate this process effectively with BP. I'm here to answer any questions you have about market analysis or getting started. Most importantly, make sure to choose a market that aligns with your investment goals!

Wishing you great success!

Melissa Johnsen
Rent to Retirement Investment Strategist