All Forum Posts by: Arman Ahmed

@Lisa M.

Welcome, Lisa! You’re asking all the right questions.

From what I’ve seen:

Midwest still have some of the best cash flow opportunities.

If you’re brand new, house hacking a small multi near a metro can be a great way to learn while keeping costs down. For long-term cash flow, the Midwest is still one of the most reliable regions.

Since you’ll be moving, I’d focus on a spot that gives you both lifestyle (nature, rural feel) and proximity to a metro for deals and contractors.

What excites you more right now—getting licensed, or jumping straight into wholesaling/investing?

@Brad Braunstein

Brad, that’s awesome—congrats on taking the first step. St. Augustine is definitely a strong short-term rental market, but like any tourist-driven spot, the big things to watch are seasonality, management costs, and regulations. A lot of first-timers hedge risk by buying a place that also pencils out as a long-term rental if rules ever shift.

Since you’re new to STRs, it might also help to compare what cash flow looks like in out-of-state markets too—especially some Midwest cities. Tourism is great for appreciation, but Midwest markets often give more steady year-round returns and affordability, which is why a lot of investors balance both.

Are you planning to self-manage or lean on a local property manager? That usually ends up being the biggest factor in how smooth the first deal goes.

@Trevor Bogus

Hey Trevor,

Sounds like you’ve done some solid research! Small multi-family for long-term cash flow is a great strategy, especially when out-of-state. I focus on helping investors find off-market opportunities and evaluate properties that meet cash flow and growth goals.

If you want, I can share some insights on evaluating deals efficiently and key factors for property management in new markets.

@Matthew Heckman

For a first multifamily, I’d focus on Midwest markets where you can get solid cash flow without overextending on rehab. Look for neighborhoods with steady rental demand, low turnover, and affordable entry prices. Even smaller 2–4 units can be a great start if you find the right property and team.

Key things I’ve seen make a difference: understanding the local rental market, having a reliable contractor for light rehabs, and lining up a property manager early—even if you plan to self-manage at first.

What kind of cash flow are you targeting for your first property?

@Ravi Bhagavan

Ravi, you’re thinking about this really strategically. I agree that scale matters, but without a solid team, even a high-cash-flow property can become a headache. Starting with a smaller multi (4–8 units) in a strong area lets you gain hands-on experience with management, tenant turnover, and minor rehabs while building relationships with a property manager, lender, and CPA you trust. Once your team is solid and you have the systems in place, scaling up to larger complexes becomes much less risky and more profitable. I’d be happy to share what’s worked for me if you want to dive deeper.

@Hayden J Trossman

Hey Hayden,

Congrats on getting started — house hacking a duplex is one of the best ways to break into investing. Since you’ll live in the property first, you can usually get better financing terms, lower down payment options, and you’ll learn the ins and outs of managing tenants firsthand.

A couple things I’d double-check:

• Rents vs. mortgage + expenses — make sure that once you move out, both units together cover everything (mortgage, taxes, insurance, management, reserves).

• Exit strategy — if the numbers work as a rental, that’s great. If not, would you still be comfortable living there long term?

• Neighborhood trends — check for things like rental demand, vacancy rates, and tenant profile in that part of Cincinnati.

Even if the deal isn’t perfect, the experience alone is incredibly valuable for your next move.

@Eric Widmeyer

Eric, good question. In Dayton you’ll definitely find solid 2–4 unit options under $300K, but the key is matching the neighborhood with your goals.

A-class areas will give you stability but thinner cash flow. The B and C neighborhoods are where most small-multi investors I know focus, since you can still find value-add opportunities with decent returns. In those spots, tenant base and property management matter a lot more—so I’d recommend paying close attention to local rental comps, turnover rates, and crime stats when narrowing down blocks.

Since you’re out of state, building the right team on the ground (property management, contractor, agent, etc.) will make or break the experience. The right people can help you avoid the streets that look good on paper but end up being headaches.

Are you leaning more toward long-term steady cash flow, or are you open to value-add projects that might need some renovation first?

@Matt Miller

Matt, you’re in a really strong spot—two free and clear rentals with steady cash flow gives you a lot of flexibility.

Your equity is the key here. A cash-out refi or HELOC lets you keep that monthly income while putting your capital to work. If you want to stay mostly passive, more rentals are usually easier to scale and manage through systems/teams than semi-passive businesses like storage or laundromats, which can eat up more time than people expect.

One approach I’ve seen work well is to tap equity from one property, keep a cushion, and use it to test a couple more rentals—you’ll learn a lot without overextending yourself.

Curious—are you leaning toward staying fully passive, or do you want to be a little more involved with the next move?

@Eli Berger

Hey Eli, congrats on kicking this off with your brothers — love that you're starting with the BRRRR approach, it's such a solid way to build long-term wealth.

From my own experience, a couple things to keep in mind:

• Markets: Don’t just chase the cheapest deals. Make sure rents and demand actually support cash flow. Some areas look great on paper but turn into money pits once you factor in vacancies or tenant headaches.
• Team: Your property manager is everything. Interview a few, ask how they handle turnovers and maintenance, and try to get feedback from other investors who already work with them.
• Financing: With the capital you’ve set aside, I’d personally spread it across two properties instead of sinking it all into one. You’ll diversify risk and also learn twice as fast.
• Lessons learned: Whatever you think your rehab budget/timeline is, add more. If you plan for $50K and 3 months, expect closer to $65K and 5 months. That buffer will save a lot of stress.

You’re in a really strong spot starting out — now it’s just about picking the right market and finding the right local team to back you up.

@An Nguyen

Hey An,

It looks like you've really thought through your options, which is great! Since you're self-employed and have strong credit, using a DSCR loan could be a smart way to get a rental property without tapping into your primary house equity. It keeps your personal finances safer and can give you more flexibility for future deals.

If you're comfortable with a little rehab work, a smaller property with HELOC funds could work too—but it comes with more hands-on risk and effort. Renting your current home is always a solid backup plan, but it ties up your primary asset.

Overall, I’d focus on a strategy that balances cash flow, risk, and ease of management, especially since this is your first investment property.