All Forum Posts by: Arman Ahmed

@Ben Rosenblum

Congrats, Ben! That’s a smart move—house hacking a large place like that is a great way to live for free and build equity fast. Sounds like you structured the financing really well too. Excited to see how it plays out over the next year! Are you planning to self-manage the roommates or bring in a property manager?

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Let me know if you want to make it more analytical or detailed!

@Melissa Adams

Hey Melissa, welcome! Your background as a real estate paralegal is a huge asset—you’ll pick things up quickly. Great to see more Columbus folks here! Don’t hesitate to reach out or ask questions as you dive in.

Hey Ravi — welcome (back) to Columbus! Sounds like you’re in a great spot, especially if the properties are in good neighborhoods.

For property management, it really depends on what kind of tenants you’re aiming for. Some companies are better with higher-end areas, others focus more on Section 8 or cash flow-heavy neighborhoods. Either way, make sure they understand Columbus rental licenses and inspections — they’re required in a lot of zip codes now.

Since you’re open to remodeling or expanding, it might be worth walking through each place with a good contractor and figuring out what updates could really boost value or rent. Areas like Clintonville, Grandview, Westerville, and Merion Village can usually support better finishes and higher rents. On the flip side, the east side and parts of Hilltop still offer strong returns if managed well.

You’re ahead of the game having some local knowledge — that helps a lot here. Curious, what part of town are the properties in?

@Qusai Tak

Hey, sounds like you're putting in the work—love to see it! I'm in Columbus too and can totally relate. MLS deals are tough right now; margins are tight unless you're super quick or find something overlooked. Driving for dollars and building relationships with wholesalers have been more promising for me.

As for defining a "good deal," I stick to the basics—solid ARV comps, a padded rehab budget, and making sure there's a real profit buffer after all costs. For funding, I used hard money on my first deal—more expensive, but it got me in the game. Just make sure the deal can handle the cost.

That $20K house idea is interesting, but yeah, make sure you’re not stuck in an area with no exit options. Happy to chat more—Columbus has some solid potential, just takes a bit of digging. What areas are you looking at right now?

@Cole Jennings

Cleveland can be a solid market for investing, but as an out-of-state investor, it’s important to approach it with a solid plan. Section 8 can offer stable rental income, but tenant screening, property management, and maintenance costs are key factors to consider. Some investors mitigate risks by focusing on B-class neighborhoods with strong rental demand and reliable tenant pools.

Have you had a chance to visit the area yet? It’s always a good idea to walk the neighborhoods, understand rent comps, and connect with local professionals before making a decision. What criteria are you using to select your first property?*

@Isaiah Cuellar

Hi Isaiah,

Welcome to Columbus! I work with many out-of-state investors and can connect you with trusted real estate attorneys, lenders, and property managers who specialize in duplexes and rental properties. I’d be happy to hop on a call or meet in person while you’re in town to discuss your investment goals and how to build the right team for long-term success.

Let’s connect! Looking forward to helping you get set up in Columbus.

@Yossi Gamrasni

Hi Yossi,

I specialize in helping out-of-state investors like yourself, particularly with long-term rental strategies in Cleveland. I’m familiar with the neighborhoods you’re interested in, such as Euclid, South Euclid, Willowick, and others. I can also provide rehab cost estimates based on photos and have connections with trusted contractors for detailed assessments.

Additionally, I have access to off-market opportunities and can help streamline your investment process. Let’s connect, and I’d be happy to discuss how I can assist you with your Cleveland investment goals!

@Eyal Gepstein

Hi Eyal,

It's great to see your interest in Cleveland and San Antonio! I specialize in working with out-of-state investors and have a strong understanding of both traditional and Section 8 rental properties in these markets. I can also help you with BRRRR strategies and portfolio acquisitions to scale quickly.

Let’s connect and discuss your investment goals in more detail. I can provide insights, access to off-market opportunities, and a network of trusted service providers to ensure a smooth investment process.

Looking forward to working together!

@Justin Whitfield

Hi Justin,

It sounds like you’re diving into the Cleveland market and looking for off-market opportunities. I have a strong connection with investors in the area and can provide access to off-market deals. Additionally, I specialize in helping out-of-state investors by offering valuable market insights, deal structure advice, and access to trusted service providers.

Let’s connect, and I can share some strategies to help you secure properties in Cleveland!

Best regards,

Arman

@Melanja K Jones

This is a tough but important lesson for new investors. Turnkey providers like Norada often market themselves as an easy path to real estate investing, but as you experienced, they don’t always have true long-term accountability. Here are some key takeaways for other investors looking at turnkey properties or out-of-state investments:

Lessons from This Experience

1. Proformas Are Marketing Tools, Not Reality

• Vacancy rates, repair costs, and rent growth assumptions are often overly optimistic.

• Always run your own conservative numbers with higher vacancy (8-12%), higher maintenance (10-15%), and realistic rent appreciation (0-3%).

2. Property Management Can Make or Break You

• Don’t blindly trust a provider’s recommended PM. Vet them independently by checking reviews, interviewing multiple options, and getting references from other landlords.

• Understand their lease structure: Keeping late fees for themselves is a huge red flag.

• Check how they handle maintenance: Do they have a markup on repairs? Are they responsive?

3. Remote Investing Isn’t Passive

• Many investors underestimate the work involved. You need systems, oversight, and local contacts in place.

• If you’re remote, consider investing in a market where you have trusted boots on the ground (agent, property manager, handyman).

4. Legal & Tax Realities Matter

• The 750-hour rule for real estate professional tax status is real—most investors won’t qualify.

• Out-of-state tax benefits are minimal unless structured correctly.

5. Exit Strategy Matters

• Before buying, plan your exit. If appreciation or cash flow expectations don’t pan out, can you sell or reposition the property profitably?

• Some markets have high liquidity risk—selling might be harder than expected.

Your Next Steps

If your property has appreciated, selling might be your best option to cut losses. Otherwise, a strong new property manager can stabilize cash flow. If you need a second opinion on options, I’d be happy to help analyze your numbers!

This is a rough experience, but it makes you a far more informed investor going forward. Thanks for sharing—it will help others avoid similar pitfalls.