All Forum Posts by: Arman Ahmed

Hey! That’s awesome that you’re getting into wholesaling. Since you’re just starting out, you might want to look into the Columbus, Ohio market—there’s a lot of opportunity and a strong investor presence, which can make it a great place to get your first deal. Let me know if you ever want to chat more about it!

Hey Garrett,

This is definitely a creative deal structure, but there are a few things to consider before moving forward:

1. Lease-to-Own Structure – The biggest risk is that you’re committing to a non-refundable $300K down payment without having guaranteed financing in place for year 3. If market conditions change or you struggle to generate enough revenue, securing a commercial loan could be tough, and you’d risk losing that money.

2. Commercial Loan Considerations – Yes, most commercial loans require 20-30% down, meaning you’d likely need another $290K-$435K when the balloon payment is due. Lenders will evaluate the property based on the Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) rather than personal income, so they’ll want to see consistent revenue covering at least 1.2-1.5x the monthly loan payments. Right now, your revenue projections are promising, but lenders may want at least 2 years of documented financials to qualify the deal.

3. Potential Financing Gaps – Since the STR income and pumpkin patch business are still projections, lenders may view this as a higher-risk deal. You might want to explore:

• Seller Financing – Ask if the seller would be open to carrying some of the financing after year 3.

• Commercial Bridge Loans – Short-term financing that could help if you need more time to stabilize income.

• Partnership with Investors – Bringing in experienced commercial investors might help strengthen your lending position.

4. Protecting Your Investment – With the title staying in the seller’s name, make sure you have a strong legal agreement in place to protect your interest in the property. You don’t want to risk making improvements and generating revenue without a clear path to ownership.

If you’re set on this deal, I’d recommend talking to a commercial lender now to get a sense of what financing could look like in year 3. That way, you can go in with a more solid plan. Happy to brainstorm more if you need!

@Dana Lee Fuller
Hey Dana! Love your vision, especially your focus on impact investing and community-driven real estate. I’m a realtor and work with a lot of investors, so I’d be happy to connect and exchange ideas.

For off-market deals, driving for dollars, cold calling, direct mail, and networking with agents/investors at meetups work well. Motivated sellers? Look for pre-foreclosures, tired landlords, probate leads, and tax-delinquent properties. To build a strong buyers list, connect on BiggerPockets, FB groups, local REI meetups, and use cash sales data from PropStream. Building relationships with active flippers and landlords is key.

Let’s connect and see how we can work together!

Hey Dan! That’s awesome, congrats! For automation, definitely look into Hospitable or Guesty for PMS, and something like Boostly for a direct booking site. For smart tech, I’d go with Schlage or August for locks, Ecobee for temp control, and Ring for cameras. NoiseAware is also solid for noise monitoring. Hope that helps—happy to connect if you have any questions!

@Cassandra Karn

Welcome, Cassandra! While I don’t invest in Las Vegas, I’d recommend checking local rental demand by analyzing vacancy rates, average time on market, and tenant turnover in that area. You might also want to talk to local property managers to get a real-world perspective on tenant reliability. Happy to connect if you have any questions!

Welcome, Logan! BiggerPockets is a great place to learn and connect with experienced investors. What kind of investing are you interested in—buy and hold, flipping, house hacking? Happy to connect and help however I can!

@Dominic Petoral
Dominic, with your budget and criteria, I’d recommend looking into parts of Columbus, OH. You can still find duplexes/triplexes in that price range in areas with strong rental demand, and cap rates can be solid depending on the neighborhood. The city has a growing job market, a steady tenant base, and landlord-friendly laws. Another option could be certain areas in the Midwest, like Indianapolis or Cleveland, where similar deals exist. Let me know if you’d like insights on specific areas—I’d be happy to connect!

@Marty Shawn
Hey Marty, it sounds like you’re thinking through this the right way! If house hacking in Boise stretches your budget too much, out-of-state investing could be a great option—especially in markets like Columbus, where you can still find solid cash-flowing properties. I’ve personally acquired properties through auctions and value-add deals here, and rental demand remains strong. If passive investing is more your style, partnerships or turnkey options could work, but make sure to vet operators thoroughly. Happy to connect if you have any questions!

@Steve K.
The Columbus real estate market remains strong, with steady appreciation, population growth, and a strong rental demand driven by major employers and new developments. While crypto can offer high returns, it’s also highly volatile. Real estate in Columbus provides stable cash flow and long-term wealth-building opportunities, especially with multi-family properties and value-add investments. Diversification is key, but selling real estate entirely for crypto carries significant risk. Happy to connect if you have any questions!

@Evan Price
NACA typically does not allow buyers to finance above the appraised value—the loan amount is limited to the appraised price. If a buyer offers significantly over asking and the appraisal comes in lower, they’ll need to cover the difference out of pocket. Closings with NACA buyers can take longer due to their extensive approval process, so patience is key. It’s also important to ensure the property meets NACA’s strict inspection requirements to avoid delays. If you’re under contract with a NACA buyer, keeping close communication with their counselor can help things move smoother. Happy to connect if you have any questions!