All Forum Posts by: Arman Ahmed

@Jordan Bain

Hey! Great to see you’re diving into BRRRR — Cleveland has some solid value-add opportunities if you know where to look. I invest across Ohio, including Cleveland, and have a strong focus on distressed SFRs and multis for both flips and buy-and-holds.

Happy to share tips on neighborhoods, local investor-friendly lenders, or what to watch out for with rehabs in the area. Let me know what price range or zip codes you’re targeting — always glad to help however I can!

@Nicole 

You’re spot on with most of what you shared — under the Fair Housing Act, you generally cannotcharge fees or pet rent for service or emotional support animals, and you’re limited in what you can ask. For emotional support animals, you can request documentation from a licensed healthcare provider stating the need, but like you said, not the specific diagnosis. For service animals (as defined under the ADA), they should be trained to perform specific tasks related to a disability.

Since you’re in Ohio, this HUD resource is super helpful — it breaks down what landlords can ask, what’s off-limits, and how to navigate legitimate vs. questionable requests. It also includes examples and a decision tree that makes it easier to apply.

Medium-term rentals can be tricky with animals in smaller spaces, so you’re right to want clarity here. You’re doing the right thing by asking questions and documenting everything!

@Luis Negron 

Great question! I don’t charge anything for sharing tools or helping run a quick deal analysis — I’ve got an investor package I usually share with helpful calculators, checklists, and market tips I’ve used myself. Just let me know if you’d like access and I’ll get it over to you!

@Frank Antonucci 

That’s awesome, Frank — I’ve seen some solid opportunities in Detroit and other Midwest markets as well. I invest in Ohio, mainly in small to mid-size multifamily, and building systems around deal analysis and team coordination has been a big part of my approach.

If you’re ever looking to compare notes or talk strategy, always happy to share what’s worked for me and learn from what you’re seeing too. Great to connect with like-minded investors!

@Luis Negron

That's a great plan! Starting with a triplex using an FHA loan is one of the smartest ways to house hack and build wealth early on. FHA lets you put as little as 3.5% down, and by living in one unit while renting out the others, you can offset your mortgage and build equity at the same time.

Just make sure the property qualifies under FHA guidelines and the numbers work with projected rents. Let me know if you want help running the numbers or finding a solid deal — happy to support however I can!

@Tiana Lazard

Great question, Tiana! Generally, for most first-time homebuyer programs, at least one buyer needs to qualify — so your boyfriend may still be eligible if he’s the primary applicant and hasn’t owned a home in the past 3 years.

Some programs define a “first-time homebuyer” as someone who hasn’t owned in the last 3 years, so depending on your timing, you might qualify again too. It’s worth checking with a local lender who’s familiar with these programs — they can walk you through your best options.

Exciting next step — best of luck on the condo purchase!

@David Pimentel

Great question, David! A lot of investors in high-cost states like NJ look to more affordable, cash-flowing markets. I invest in Columbus, OH — it’s still relatively affordable with strong rent-to-price ratios, landlord-friendly laws, and solid demand.

Since you have equity in your primary home, you might consider using a HELOC to fund your first deal out of state. Happy to share how other investors I work with have gotten started and built portfolios from a distance — let me know if you'd like to connect!

@James McGovern

Great question, James! Both red and blue states offer great opportunities — it really comes down to the specific city or county. Some areas in red states have thriving short-term rental markets, while many blue-state cities offer strong tenant demand and appreciation potential.

I invest in Columbus, OH and have seen success with both long-term and short-term strategies, depending on the neighborhood and local guidelines. With the right research, there are solid deals to be found in any market!

@James McGovern

@Aidan Hickey

Congrats, Aidan — that’s a solid first flip! Staying on budget and on timeline is no small feat, especially on your first go. Sounds like you’ve built a strong local team, which is huge. Are you planning to roll the profits into your next project? Would love to hear what’s next!