All Forum Posts by: Ryan Rominger

The BRRRR strategy can definitely make sense in the current market, especially with rates where they are, it lets you build equity while creating a rental that's more appealing to tenants. There are a few local considerations to keep in mind around rehab costs, appraisal timelines, and rental demand, but it can be a solid path if you structure it right.

Flips can generate quick profits but they're very dependent on timing, renovation costs, and market conditions. Most of the long-term wealth I've observed has come from buy-and-hold investors, especially those using DSCR loans to steadily build rental portfolios. Over time, appreciation, principal paydown, and consistent rental income tend to outweigh the short-term gains from flipping.

Congrats on starting early! you’re setting yourself up with a solid foundation. A few thoughts from the property management and real estate side here in the Indy area:

• House hacking vs. rental: Since you’re living at home and saving quickly, you don’t have to house hack right now. That said, if you buy a small duplex or triplex down the road and live in one unit, you’ll usually get better financing and a smoother entry into landlording. It’s worth keeping in your back pocket.

• Deal size: With $30–45K saved, you’re in range for a modest single-family rental or possibly a small duplex in one of the secondary suburbs (Greenfield, Anderson, parts of Lawrence, etc.). Closer-in areas like Broad Ripple, Fountain Square, and Westfield have appreciated a lot, so cash flow is tighter.

• Timing: There's value in just getting into your first deal — you'll learn more owning one rental than you will reading about ten. That said, don't rush into a "bad" property just to get started. A solid, well-located rental with decent systems in place will serve you better than forcing a BRRRR that's too big for your first project.

• Submarkets: Investors are still active in places like Irvington, Speedway, and Greenwood where rents are stable and you’re not competing with as many high-dollar flips. For long-term buy-and-hold, look for areas with good schools and job growth but not at the very top of the price curve.

• Exit strategy: Selling off underperformers to pay down the strong ones is a very common and practical move. Just be sure to watch how capital gains and taxes play into that — some owners hold longer or 1031 exchange to avoid leaving too much on the table.

If I were you, I’d keep stacking cash while running numbers on real deals weekly. Even if you don’t buy tomorrow, by the time the right property shows up, you’ll recognize it.

With $400K and a focus on passive income, I’d recommend starting with stable, low-maintenance assets. That could mean 2–3 cash-flowing rental properties in solid markets, ideally managed by a reliable property manager so you're not hands-on. Another option: diversify with a mix of real estate syndications or REITs for true passivity.

From a management perspective, the decision to hold or sell usually comes down to more than just cash flow. High turnover, ongoing maintenance issues, and how hands-on the property feels day to day can tip the scale.

Some clients keep lower-performing properties if they’re in growth areas, while others sell solid rentals to simplify or reinvest in fewer, better-quality assets. It also depends on your long-term strategy like appreciation, income, or peace of mind. 

If a property’s becoming a drain (financially or mentally), that’s usually a strong signal to reallocate. It’s all about running the numbers and being honest about the time and energy it's costing you.

Hi Josiah, welcome to BP! I am open to connecting with you!

Hi Thomas, Welcome to BP! 

A lot of first-time investors jump in without thinking about maintenance or tenant appeal, and you’re already ahead by looking at market growth and incentives.

New construction definitely has its advantages for a first-timer: minimal repairs early on, strong appeal to renters, and predictable holding costs in those first few years. Warranties and builder concessions also help with upfront costs, which can ease some of the risk. That said, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Cash flow might be tight at first. With new construction, you’re usually paying close to retail pricing, and even with builder incentives, your rental income might not cover all your monthly expenses — especially with today’s interest rates. Be sure to run conservative numbers based on actual rental comps (not just listings), and double-check how much of a cushion you’ll need in the first year or two.

HOAs are another thing to factor in — they can cut into your monthly cash flow more than expected, and some even come with restrictions on renting. Also, while appreciation can absolutely happen in growing areas, I’d treat it as a bonus rather than a guarantee. Try to make sure the deal still makes sense even if the value stays flat for a few years.

It’s also worth thinking through your exit strategy. Ask yourself who will want to buy this in 5–10 years — another investor, or an owner-occupant? That kind of clarity helps you protect your upside and make decisions that serve both your short-term and long-term goals.

Lastly, if you do decide to move forward, talk to a few property managers in the area to get a better read on actual tenant demand, rent pricing, and vacancy trends. That insight will give you a much clearer idea of how the property will perform in real life.

All in all, if you’re okay with slower cash flow in exchange for fewer repairs and a more “hands-off” experience early on, this can absolutely be a solid starting point. Just keep your numbers tight and expectations realistic.

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Vision is important but execution is where it really matters. In my experience, it's more than just hiring someone who can do the work but finding someone who can communicate proactively, stay on schedule, and respect the investment goals and processes.

You can start with referrals from other investors or PMs you might have heard in your network. Or this might come across as idealistic but asking situational questions like how do you handle tenant issues or what would you do if permit releases get delayed, etc.

But the thing is, you don't need a contract to start building relationships. You can go ahead and start asking questions, getting sample bids, or even references. 

Since you’re local, I’d definitely recommend plugging into some investor meetups around central Indiana. There are a few happening regularly in Indy, and you’ll usually meet flippers, wholesalers, and lenders who are open to sharing insight (and sometimes looking for hungry people to help on projects).

If you’re interested in house flipping, shadowing someone who’s actively doing it — even just by tagging along during walkthroughs or helping estimate rehab — will fast-track your learning curve way more than YouTube or books ever could. I’m happy to point you toward a few groups and contacts in the area if you want to start building that circle.