All Forum Posts by: Arman Ahmed

@AJ Longo

Hey AJ,  totally agree, sometimes that first out-of-state deal can be the best teacher. As long as you take the time to really learn the market, vet your local team, and run conservative numbers, it can absolutely be worth the risk. Many investors I work with started remotely and built solid portfolios once they had reliable boots on the ground. The Midwest in particular has been great for out-of-state investors because of the strong cash flow and steady appreciation potential.

@Tyre Carmon

Hey Tyre — that's awesome you're gearing up for your first BRRRR! My biggest advice is to run your numbers conservatively and line up your financing before you buy. Focus on buying in areas with solid rental demand and clear comps so your ARV is realistic. Also, build your team early — contractor, lender, property manager, and realtor who understands investor deals. I work with a lot of BRRRR investors in the Midwest and have put together some helpful tools like rehab estimators and neighborhood grading maps — happy to share if you'd like.

@Sara Pazelt

Great question, Sara — love that mindset. I focus mainly on buy-and-hold investing here in the Midwest, where properties are still undervalued and cash flow well compared to many coastal markets. I’ve found that combining appreciation potential with steady rental income creates a strong long-term balance. What’s your main focus right now — cash flow or building equity?

@Marco Solis

Congrats on the new investment, Marco — sounds like you’ve built some solid equity already. If you’re looking to scale, one good option could be to refinance this property, pull out some capital, and roll it into a small multifamily for stronger cash flow and easier management per door. I invest in the Midwest myself and see a lot of investors take that route successfully once they’ve built up some equity.

@Daniel Yurick

Hey Daniel, sounds like you've built a solid foundation with your rentals — nice work. You're not the only one running into that issue; a lot of investors face the same challenge when their taxable income doesn't match their actual cash flow. DSCR loans are definitely worth looking into since they're based on property performance rather than personal income. I invest in the Midwest and work with a few go-to lenders that many of my investors use for similar refi situations. If you'd like, I can connect you with them — they've been great at helping investors pay off private or hard money loans and free up capital for the next deal.

@Josh Scurlock

Josh, sounds like you’re thinking it through the right way. Student rentals can definitely cash flow stronger than traditional long-term rentals if managed well, but they also come with more turnover and wear-and-tear, like you mentioned. The demand around most big universities is usually steady since students are always cycling in and out, but vacancy risk comes if your place isn’t lined up before the semester starts. The key is really in location (close to campus and public transport), setting clear lease terms, and sometimes even renting by the room instead of one lease for the whole house. I invest in the Midwest, and while it’s not USF, the student rental model works similarly—you just need systems in place. If you’re willing to stay in one of the rooms yourself and keep up with maintenance, that can give you a big edge.

@Camille Hoheb

Welcome, Camille! Huntsville is definitely a growing market with a lot of investor attention right now. Since you’re looking to build your team, I’d suggest connecting early with a solid property manager and local contractors—they’ll make or break your investing experience. I invest mainly in the Midwest, but the principles are the same: having the right boots-on-the-ground team gives you a huge edge. Curious—are you planning to focus more on single family or multifamily in Huntsville?

@Allen Zhu

I’ve seen a lot of investors do really well investing out of state, even when they’re hundreds of miles away, but the key is always systems and having the right team. A good property manager, a reliable contractor network, and a clear understanding of the neighborhoods make all the difference. I invest in the Midwest myself, and while I’m not nearby for every project, I’ve found that having strong boots on the ground allows me to scale without being tied to one location. Out-of-state investing definitely comes with challenges, but if you build the right foundation, it can be very profitable and manageable long term.

@Stephen Fisher

Sounds like you’ve been moving fast with your KC deals, that’s awesome. I’ve been focusing on the Midwest myself and have seen a lot of similarities with what you’re describing—good entry prices, strong rental demand, and plenty of value-add opportunities if you’re willing to take on full rehabs. Curious, are you planning to keep scaling single-family or looking at small multifamily next?