All Forum Posts by: Travis Biziorek

I mean... OP had 3 questions listed in a 1, 2, 3 format. I was just replying in the same format, trying to make it easy to read. 

I hate big walls of text and believe most people do too.

 I don't use it, bud but thanks for the compliment I guess.

Hey Zeina,

If you’re looking for a solid rent-and-hold market outside of California, Detroit is definitely worth considering. It’s one of the few places where you can still buy affordable properties, get strong cash flow, and see appreciation in the right areas.

I personally built a 12-door portfolio there, and while it wasn’t easy, the market fundamentals are strong—affordable entry prices, high rental demand, and a city that’s been seeing steady growth. That said, Detroit is highly neighborhood-dependent, so having the right team in place is crucial.

If you’re open to learning more, happy to share insights on how to navigate the market effectively!

Hey Byoung,

You’re thinking about the right things upfront, which is key for long-distance investing. I built a 12-door portfolio in Detroit, and the process wasn't easy, but it's one of the few markets where BRRRR and strong cash flow still work—if you have the right setup.

A Few Thoughts on Your Questions:

1. First Step After Picking a Market

Instead of just running numbers on MLS listings, learn the market dynamics first. Things like neighborhood trends, tenant demand, and financing options will shape your strategy more than a basic 1% rule analysis.

2. Finding Renters & Vacancy Risks

This depends heavily on where you buy. Some areas have near-instant tenant demand, others sit vacant for months. Talk to local investors, study rent comps, and understand how leasing cycles work in your chosen market. If you’re considering Section 8, some cities (like Detroit) have high demand, which can reduce vacancy risk.

3. Building a Team – Who to Focus on First?

Your #1 priority is an investor-friendly agent or someone on the ground who truly understands the market. From there:

• Property management (critical for long-distance investing).

• Contractors (especially if you plan to add value).

• Lender (if financing is part of your plan).

Detroit is still one of the few places where BRRRR works well, and cash flow and appreciation are both on the table. If that’s something you’re open to, happy to share more insights and help however I can.

Hope this helps!

Hey Ryan, welcome!

I'm also based in CA and invest out of state (Detroit). Where are you buying your rentals?

Hey Matt,

We're still seeing strong numbers on 2-4 unit properties in Detroit, particularly on the off-market side. The MLS is tougher, but cash-flowing small multi-family deals are still very doable with the right approach. Happy to share insights if you're open to exploring a market like Detroit.

Leslie, sounds like you and your sister are in a great position with the capital and mindset to scale quickly. Detroit is a great place for that, but as you probably already know, it takes work and strategy.

For background, I moved from CA to Troy, MI, back in 2017, lived there for five years, and built my Detroit portfolio aggressively—12 doors in 2.5 years, generating $16,000/month in gross rents. It wasn’t easy, but it was one of the best moves I made. I now live back in CA, and my portfolio runs fully managed, but getting there took a lot of legwork upfront.

A few things that stood out from your post:

• If you’re focused on appreciation over cash flow, you’ll want to be highly selective in Detroit. There are strong path-of-progress areas, but you need to know the nuances.

• BRRRR still works, but it's not what it was 3-4 years ago. Appraisals are tricky, and refinancing can take time. Having cash ready to deploy is a huge advantage.

• Turnkey is viable but expect to pay a premium. If you want to build equity quickly, some level of hands-on involvement is key.

• I’m curious how you’re structuring your property management. If you plan to self-manage initially in MI but go full management in Detroit, you’ll want a very dialed-in team. That’s where a lot of investors struggle.

If you’re interested, happy to share more insights or resources to help you strategize. You’re thinking through things the right way, and Detroit can be a fantastic place to execute your plan if you get the right setup in place.

I understand your situation—investing in LA at today’s prices makes it tough to find solid returns. I’m also based in California and invest in Detroit, where prices are far more reasonable, and there are still strong cash flow opportunities.

Detroit has a solid rent-to-price ratio, improving economic fundamentals, and plenty of value-add potential if you have the right team in place. It’s not a market where you can just buy blindly, but for investors willing to do their homework, it offers a strong mix of cash flow and appreciation.

If you’re open to learning more, I’m happy to share some resources on how I’ve built my portfolio there. Let me know.

Detroit is worth considering if you're looking for a market where BRRRR is still very much viable. The rent-to-price ratios are strong, property values remain relatively affordable compared to many other cities, and the city has been seeing real economic and population growth.

I invest in Detroit myself and have built a portfolio of 12 doors there. The key to success is understanding the nuances of the market—different neighborhoods perform very differently, and having a strong team on the ground is essential.

If you're interested, I'm happy to share some resources on investing in Detroit and what makes it work for BRRRR. Let me know!

Hey Ben, welcome!

I’m also in California (Central Coast) and invest in Detroit. The affordability, strong rent-to-price ratios, and continued growth in the city make it a market worth considering if cash flow and appreciation are important to you.

If you’re still exploring markets, I’m happy to share insights and resources on Detroit. Let me know what you’re looking for!