All Forum Posts by: Arman Ahmed

@Nikelyia Waters

House-hacking a duplex is one of the smartest ways to get started—you reduce your living costs while building equity. Just make sure you screen tenants carefully since you’ll be living next door, keep reserves for repairs that affect both units, and think about your long-term plan (whether to hold as a rental or eventually sell). It’s a solid strategy many investors use to accelerate wealth.

@Christopher Symenow

Hi Christopher, it sounds like you and your wife have a solid foundation and great hands-on experience! Since you're looking to build a portfolio without leveraging your primary home, a few strategies could make sense: small multi-family or single-family rentals in nearby Midwest cities, using private money or partnerships to finance deals, or even BRRRR-style acquisitions if you can find the right rehab opportunities. Given your handyman skills, fix-and-flip can also generate capital to fund future rentals. One key is building a local network—even in rural areas, connecting with nearby investors, property managers, or lenders can open doors to deals you wouldn't see otherwise. Do you want tips on identifying those Midwest markets and starting to evaluate potential rental opportunities?

@Diego Olmedo

Welcome to BiggerPockets, Diego! Real estate can be overwhelming at first, but the key is getting a solid foundation on numbers, markets, and deal types. One tip is to focus on understanding cash flow, ROI, and how rehab costs impact your investment—these fundamentals help no matter the market. Also, connecting with experienced investors and analyzing actual deals (even just case studies) will accelerate your learning. What kind of properties or strategies are you most interested in exploring right now?

@Amanda Moskowitz

Amanda, you’re definitely on the right path—off-market deals usually come from direct-to-seller outreach (mailers, cold calls, driving for dollars) and building relationships with investor-friendly agents who get pocket listings before they hit the market. Since you’re focused on buy-and-hold, it’s worth noting that a lot of investors also look toward the Midwest for stronger cash flow and lower entry costs while keeping appreciation plays in markets like South Florida. That mix can really balance out a portfolio over the long run.

@Jessica Yuan

Jessica, partnerships are a great way to get started—usually it’s either a money partner + operator split or a skills trade (financing vs. management/rehab), with equity divided accordingly, but always formalize with an agreement. Since Bay Area cash flow is tough, many new investors team up locally for appreciation plays while also looking at the Midwest for more affordable, higher cash-flowing deals—gives you experience, credibility, and options to scale faster.

@Elijah Santiago

Elijah, great to see your drive—most people never even make it to this starting point. Best first step is picking a lane (wholesaling, buy & hold, flips, etc.) and then learning your local market inside and out. Start by networking with other investors and agents, running numbers on sample deals, and analyzing what’s selling vs. renting well in your area. BiggerPockets podcasts and calculators are gold for beginners. I’m based in the Midwest where a lot of out-of-state investors start because of lower barriers to entry and solid cash flow, so if you’re ever curious about that market too, I’d be happy to share some insights.

@Chien Low

Chien, a lot of landlords run into this—I’ve seen a few good options: some property managers offer inspections as a stand-alone service, there are third-party companies that do quarterly walk-throughs with reports/photos, or you can even have a trusted handyman do routine checks (filters, smoke detectors, leaks, etc.). In the Midwest where I operate, catching small issues early with these inspections has saved investors thousands long-term, so it’s definitely worth setting up.

@Salvatore Amato

Hey Salvatore, doing a BRRRR in C or D neighborhoods can work, but you have to be extra careful. Focus on properties with strong rental demand and low vacancy, and run very conservative numbers for rent, ARV, and rehab. Even small miscalculations can eat into cash flow, especially in lower-tier neighborhoods. If you're open to exploring opportunities in the Midwest, there are some markets where you can get below-market deals with strong cash flow and less risk—definitely worth considering if you want a safer path to building your portfolio.

@Andrew Deans

Congrats on getting started, Andrew! Sounds like you’re in a great spot with savings and guidance from friends. Since you’re exploring strategies, I’d focus on what fits your goals—cash flow vs. appreciation, short-term learning vs. long-term growth. In the Midwest, there are some solid rental markets with strong cash flow and lower entry costs compared to coastal areas. Starting with one property here and really understanding the process can give you a strong foundation to scale your portfolio later.

@Jonathon Cornell

Hey Jonathon, it sounds like you’re in a great spot with your duplex cash flow! Since local deals are limited, expanding into the Midwest can make a lot of sense, especially if you’re looking to grow faster. Many investors focus on markets with strong cash flow, lower entry costs, and solid tenant demand. You can still manage remotely with a good property manager, which lets you keep building your portfolio without waiting indefinitely for the “perfect” local deal.