All Forum Posts by: Samuel Diouf

Welcome to Bigger Pockets Nik! With a background in construction, you'll have a great advantage when it comes to flips. I would make sure that you connect with the right network and team to get access to solid deals and opportunities! 

Hey Tyler,

When looking for contractors, make sure to do your due diligence. Ask for references, talk to other investors who've worked with them, look at their past work. Selecting a contractor can make or break your investment. 

I'd be glad to share a giant Rolodex of contacts in Cleveland with you.

Hey Alyssa, when looking into markets.. I would first decide on whether you want appreciation, cashflow, or a mix of both. If you want cashflow.. look for markets with low entry prices and higher rent averages. If you want appreciation, identify markets with expanding industries, positive growth trends, and bright economic forecasts. 

I personally moved to Ohio from Florida because I liked the mix of cashflow and appreciation that the Ohio markets presented. 

You can be successful anywhere you just need a strong and loyal team working with you!

Hey Ximei, I would start with something that's turnkey with value-add potential. Use this experience to work out the kinks and build a strong boots on the ground team. The first purchase is always a huge learning experience. Once you're ready for the next purchase, you will have experience, systems, and the confidence to tackle a bigger project like a BRRRR.

Hey Barbra, that's awesome that you're looking to get started! 

When investing in Cleveland from OOS, I definitely recommend starting with a property manager. They will vet tenants, lease your units and help manage all problems that come up with your investment. Once you get a large enough portfolio, you could start to build out systems and bring the property management back in-house.

Hey Chris, have you looked into any Ohio markets? 

A lot of investors based in markets like California are choosing to purchase their investments OOS in the Midwest because of the affordability and numbers making more sense.

Prices in cities like Columbus are still low enough to find 1% rule deals and there's a ton of appreciation happening in this market as well. I actually moved from Florida to Columbus for the real estate. I saw how fast the city was growing and decided to make the jump.

What size of MFH are you looking into? 

Welcome to Bigger Pockets Austin!

Bigger Pockets is a great place to learn and connect with fellow investors.

If you’re looking to invest long distance, I definitely recommend building your core-4 team. This team consists of an Investor Focused Agent, Lender, Contractor, and PM.

Read this article on the "core 4". It explains the team that you should develop to have a strong foundation under you while investing remotely.

https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/core-four-real-estate-team

Hey Lawrence,

I'd love to share our graded map with you.

Hey Rafael, it's great that you're starting the journey! 

If you’re looking to invest in your backyard, it helps to network with as many locals in the industry as you can. A great way to start is by attending RE events and joining a local investors association. You can usually find some events by doing a simple google search.

Hey Dillon, welcome to BiggerPockets! Building out a solid network and team consisting of a real estate agent, contractors, and lenders will be the foundation of your flipping success! 

I recommend starting with a smaller project that will have less risk so you're able to gain the experience you'll need to be confident in taking over bigger projects.