All Forum Posts by: Travis Biziorek

 Gotta work on that reading comprehension, Drew.

The second and third sentences of my post are literally:

"I lived in Detroit for 5 years before moving out of state, and during that time, I built a strong network of contractors, handymen, and other boots-on-the-ground contacts. Without that network, self-management would have been nearly impossible for me."

I'm not the type to leave out key information.

This is a lot to read, and I admit I've largely skimmed it.

Do you have a 401k that you can pull a loan from? This might take more time than you'd like.

The other (great) option is something like LightStream Capital. I've used them when I was starting my Detroit rental portfolio in Detroit (now 12-doors). If you have a decent W2 it should be pretty easy to get up to $50,000.

The application is quick/easy and you can have the money in your bank in under 3-5 days. Definitely worth looking into.

Hi Yooni,

I’ve been self-managing my 12 Detroit doors for the last 2.5 years, and while I’ve made it work, it’s been far from easy. I lived in Detroit for 5 years before moving out of state, and during that time, I built a strong network of contractors, handymen, and other boots-on-the-ground contacts. Without that network, self-management would have been nearly impossible for me.

Here are a few thoughts based on my experience:

1. Showings: From out of state, you’ll likely need to rely on a trusted person to handle this. For me, it’s been a mix of local friends and paid contractors. Some landlords use lockboxes or smart locks to grant temporary access, but that has risks if you don’t have someone to oversee things.

2. Move-out Inspections/Cleaning: Again, you’ll need boots on the ground for this. I hire local professionals for inspections and cleaning, but even then, I’ve run into issues where things were missed because I wasn’t physically there.

3. Tools: I use software like Tenant Cloud for rent collection and maintenance tracking, but no tool can replace having someone who can physically check on properties. Even with Section 8 inspections (if you’re in that space), you’ll find that they don’t catch everything. I’ve had deferred maintenance pile up because I couldn’t be in the homes myself.

4. Other Considerations: There’s a lot that can slip through the cracks when you’re managing from afar. Even with a network, I’ve had delayed repairs and tenant issues that would have been easier to resolve if I were local. Over time, I’ve realized there’s no substitute for being able to walk through the property and stay on top of maintenance proactively.

Ultimately, I’m in the process of transitioning my properties to a property manager. Self-managing from out of state has been doable, but the challenges have added up, and I’ve realized I’ve missed things that could have been avoided with closer oversight.

If you’re just starting and don’t already have a strong local network, I’d advise against self-management from out of state. Hiring a good property manager may cost more upfront, but it’s often the better long-term choice, especially if you want to avoid burnout or costly mistakes.

Happy to dive deeper into any of these points if it helps!

Hi Melissa,

It sounds like you’re putting in some great thought and research into your investment strategy! Since you’re considering Midwest markets, I’d highly recommend adding Detroit to your list of cities to research. I imagine it’s a relatively short drive from Southwestern Ontario, and it offers some unique opportunities that align well with what you’re looking for.

Detroit has seen tremendous progress over the last decade, with significant investment and revitalization in many areas. The market still has relatively low entry points compared to other major cities, making it possible to find multifamily properties like duplexes and triplexes in the price range you’re targeting. On top of that, the rent-to-price ratios in Detroit often outperform other markets, which can mean solid cash flow alongside appreciation potential as the city continues to grow.

The key with Detroit is understanding the nuances of the market—it has a large footprint, and neighborhoods can vary drastically, even block by block. If you’re able to dive deep or work with someone who has boots-on-the-ground experience, the returns can be very rewarding.

Good luck with your journey, and feel free to reach out if you’d like more insights or resources on Detroit!

Best,

Travis

edited

Hi Casey,

It’s great to hear that you’re considering Detroit! One thing I’d stress is the significant difference between Detroit proper and the surrounding metro areas. The two are almost entirely different markets in terms of price points, returns, tenant quality, and overall investing strategy. I focus solely on Detroit proper because, in my experience, the rent-to-price ratios, opportunities for value-add projects, and overall market potential are much stronger there.

That said, Detroit is a nuanced market. It’s not a place where you can just buy anywhere and expect success. The city operates on a block-by-block basis, and understanding those nuances takes legwork—or working with someone who truly knows the area. But if you put in the effort, Detroit can be incredibly rewarding.

Over the last several years, the city has been on a steady upswing: population growth, major corporate investments, and increasing demand for housing are all positive indicators. I’ve built a 12-door portfolio here since 2019, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made in real estate.

If you’d like to dive deeper into Detroit-specific strategies or need some pointers on how to get started, feel free to reach out!

Best of luck on your investing journey,

Travis

This is a pretty broad question, but I’ll try to help! I have quite a bit of experience in the Detroit market and even have a few Section 8 tenants myself. Section 8 can be a solid strategy, especially in cities like Detroit where the rent-to-price ratios often make it worth considering. The key is understanding the nuances of the program and making sure your property aligns with their inspection standards.

In Detroit specifically, Section 8 tends to work best in C and C+ neighborhoods. These areas usually strike a balance between affordability for investors and demand from tenants with vouchers. That said, Detroit is very much a block-by-block city, so local knowledge is critical to avoid issues.

If you’re serious about learning more, feel free to send me a DM. I’d be happy to share some resources and point you in the right direction!

Hey Camille,

It’s great that you’re exploring multiple markets and thinking critically about population trends and affordability—it sounds like you’re off to a thoughtful start.

Regarding Detroit, I’ve invested heavily there and have seen firsthand how much potential the market has. Detroit has a mix of affordability and strong rental demand, with properties under $200k that can cash flow if approached correctly. While the city still faces challenges, it’s experiencing revitalization in many areas, and I’ve witnessed significant progress even over just a few years. For example, population growth in certain neighborhoods and increased investor activity have created opportunities for both long-term rentals and value-add deals.

If you’re torn between wholesaling and holding long-term rentals, I’d suggest thinking about your long-term goals. Wholesaling can be a great way to learn a market and build capital, but holding rentals can provide steady cash flow and equity growth over time—especially in markets like Detroit, where entry prices are lower and rents are solid relative to costs.

If you’d like to learn more about navigating Detroit, feel free to reach out—I’m happy to share some resources or insights from my experience.

Best of luck in whichever direction you choose!

This has always been true. It's nothing new. 

Does it suck? Yes.

Is it how you outcompete other investors and find the real deals? Also, yes.

If you don't like doing it, that's understandable. But there's no sense in complaining because it's not going to change. And the fact that it's a pain in the butt is what makes sifting through all that garbage so profitable. 

Zachary,

Your concerns about Cleveland are valid—high property taxes and stagnant population growth are definitely challenges to consider. Given what you’re looking for (affordability, cash flow, and the ability to add value), Detroit might be worth looking into. It’s a city I know well because I built a 12-door portfolio there between 2019 and 2021.

Detroit offers a lot of value in terms of affordability and rental demand. You can still find single-family homes in the $80k–$100k range and duplexes in the $130k–$150k range, even in C and C+ neighborhoods that are seeing steady improvements. The population is officially growing again, and there’s been a lot of investment in infrastructure and development in recent years, which makes it unique compared to some other Midwest markets.

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that Detroit is very much a block-by-block city. It’s crucial to have local market knowledge or work with someone who does. If you’re willing to put in the work and learn the nuances, it can be a great place to build a portfolio.

Feel free to reach out if you’d like any pointers or resources—I’m happy to share what I’ve learned from my time investing there.

Best of luck!