All Forum Posts by: Arman Ahmed

@Mark Nelson

Hey Mark, welcome to BiggerPockets! The Midwest is a great region to start in — prices are still reasonable, and there’s strong demand for both single-family and multifamily rentals. I’d recommend looking for an agent who really understands investor goals, not just retail buyers. Someone local who knows which neighborhoods are trending up and where the solid rental pockets are can make a big difference. Best of luck building your team and getting started!

@Czar Wiley

Welcome to the community, Czar! Knoxville is a solid market — steady demand, manageable rehab costs, and room for appreciation if you buy right. I mainly focus on the Midwest, but I've worked with a lot of out-of-state investors who start in one market and expand once they've built systems for remote management. The key is building a reliable local team early — agent, PM, and contractor who understand investor priorities and neighborhoods that fit your buy box. Once you get that foundation in place, scaling across markets becomes much smoother. What type of properties are you targeting for your first deal — value-add, turnkey, or BRRRR style?

@Mark Bennett

Great post, Mark — you nailed what a lot of out-of-state investors eventually realize. The numbers might look great on paper, but without trusted boots on the ground, deals can fall apart for all sorts of unexpected reasons. I’m based in the Midwest, and one thing I’ve noticed is that success for out-of-state investors usually comes down to building the right local relationships — agents, contractors, and property managers who understand investor needs and can provide transparent, realistic numbers. It’s not easy, but once that trust network is built, the opportunities become much smoother and more predictable. Out of curiosity, which markets have you found the most frustrating so far?

@Collin Marcotte

Hey Collin, sounds like you've got a great skill set for flipping — having hands-on construction and project management experience gives you a big edge. I'm based in the Midwest, and while it's not North Carolina, we're seeing a similar pattern here: thinner flip margins in hotter metros but solid opportunities in nearby secondary markets where entry prices are lower and demand is steady. If you already have cash and construction ability, you're in a great position to move fast when a deal pencils out. How are you analyzing your potential projects — mainly ARV spreads or a set profit margin target?

@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.