All Forum Posts by: Arman Ahmed

@Nancy Eyzaguirre

Nancy, welcome to the journey! I don’t invest in Buffalo or Rochester, but I do focus on the Midwest, where multifamily properties under $100K–$200K are still common and cash flow can be stronger compared to many coastal markets. One thing I’ve learned is that having an investor-friendly agent who understands rent comps and rehab costs is just as important as finding the right property. Even if you move forward in NY, I’d recommend connecting with local investors first to verify neighborhood demand and reliable property management options

@Jordan Frisco

Jordan, congrats on becoming a new dad—that’s amazing motivation to invest! From what you laid out, you’re already thinking like an investor with clear strategies. The biggest thing I’d watch out for is overestimating resale values on flips and underestimating repair/holding costs, especially in today’s market where margins can get tight. On the Section 8 side in Cleveland, you’re on the right track—those $45–55k doors can cash flow well if you buy in the right areas and have reliable management. My advice would be to pick one strategy to focus on first (flip or buy-and-hold) rather than splitting attention. That way you build momentum and systems before scaling into multiple approaches.

@Nick Sarangoulis

Nick, great question—this is something a lot of newer and even experienced investors wrestle with. In the Midwest, I’ve seen that serious offers usually need to be written so sellers and their agents actually take them seriously, since verbal “offers” don’t carry much weight. That said, if you’re coming in well below asking, it can sometimes help to have your agent float a verbal inquiry first to gauge seller interest. Personally, I’ve found that consistently making written offers (even if below list) gets you on the radar as a serious buyer, and in Midwest markets deals sometimes come back around after a price drop. It’s really about balancing testing the waters verbally with putting written offers in when you’re serious.

@Paul Vanderbyl

Paul, sounds like you've built a really strong foundation with your rentals—congrats on that. A good way to look at return on equity is by running your properties through a tool like DealCheck or Stessa, which helps you see how much your equity is really working for you vs. sitting idle. Many investors realize their "cash-on-equity" returns are much lower than they thought, which pushes them toward a HELOC, cash-out refi, or even selling to redeploy capital into higher-yield deals. I invest in the Midwest where entry points are lower, and the BRRRR model is very scalable, so happy to share how I run scenarios if that helps.

@Jeanne Zozobrado

Indianapolis has been getting a lot of attention for MTRs lately because of its affordability and steady demand from travel nurses and corporate renters. The key is picking a location close to hospitals or major employers, since that drives consistent bookings. I invest in the Midwest, and I’ve seen that well-furnished 2–3 bedroom units near those demand drivers tend to perform best. Also worth running numbers with conservative occupancy assumptions (70–75%) so you’re covered.

@Arun Maheshwari

I’m based in the Midwest, so I can’t speak to the New Jersey submarkets directly, but I’ll share a perspective that might help. A lot of investors I work with compare NJ markets to Midwest ones in terms of cash flow vs. appreciation. NJ often has stronger appreciation potential but thinner margins, while the Midwest tends to provide steadier cash flow with lower entry costs. Might be worth thinking about what balance of appreciation vs. cash flow fits your long-term goals—that can really guide which neighborhoods make sense

@Cecilia Fields

Congrats on getting your mid-term rental listed! In my experience, the average fill time really depends on the platform and local demand—on Furnished Finder I’ve seen anywhere from 2–6 weeks for medical and corporate tenants, while Airbnb/VRBO bookings can come faster if your pricing and photos are competitive. One tip: follow up quickly with unmatched leads on Furnished Finder, since many travelers don’t keep searching once they’ve booked. Also, offering a slight discount for the first stay (like you’re already doing) is a smart way to get momentum. I focus on the Midwest and have noticed MTR demand has been very strong around hospitals and corporate hubs—worth checking if there are major employers nearby you can market directly to.

@Nicholas Libertin

I can refer you to an attorney that some of my investor clients in Ohio work with who has experience in real estate and STR-related cases. Happy to connect you if that would help

@Sharad Bagri

Dayton has some solid PM options, but it really depends on whether they specialize in small multifamily like your 4-unit. I can share some information on a few property managers that other investors I know have used successfully in the area if that would help

@Dennis Minary

Hi Dennis,

For someone starting with BRRRR or fix-and-flip, a few key things can help anywhere: focus on neighborhoods with strong rental demand, always run your numbers conservatively including rehab and holding costs, and build relationships with reliable contractors and property managers early. Also, understanding local regulations, vacancy trends, and Section 8 or other tenant programs can help reduce risk and improve cash flow.