All Forum Posts by: Travis Biziorek

Hey Polat,

I’ve been investing in Detroit since 2019, and I think it can be a great market—but it’s not for everyone. Detroit is very much a block-by-block city, so having local knowledge is absolutely critical. The numbers can look great on paper, but the success really depends on buying in the right areas, managing renovations well, and having a solid team in place for property management.

If you’re thinking about buying, fixing, and renting, I’d recommend starting by learning as much as you can about the different neighborhoods. There’s a big difference between an area that attracts stable tenants and one where you’ll be chasing rent every month.

Personally, I've built a 12-door portfolio here, and it's been a mix of cash flow and appreciation. If you're serious about Detroit, feel free to reach out. I also work with a team that helps cash buyers execute the BRRRR strategy or build rental portfolios, making it as seamless as possible for out-of-state investors.

Best of luck, and let me know if you have any specific questions!

Travis

Hi Paul,

Small world—I’m in Arroyo Grande, and my kids were just at the skate park in SLO about an hour ago! Great to connect with a local neighbor.

I’ve been investing in Detroit real estate since 2019, and it’s been an excellent market for both cash flow and appreciation. Most of the deals we do are sub-$100k for single-family homes, with duplexes typically in the $130k-$150k range. It’s a market where you can achieve strong rent-to-price ratios and solid cash flow potential.

If you’re interested in learning more about Detroit, I’ve written a couple of detailed articles that might be helpful:

• Detroit Real Estate Overview: https://www.buyingdetroitrealestate.com/detroit-real-estate-investing/

In addition to investing, I run a team in Detroit that specializes in helping cash buyers execute the BRRRR strategy and build rental portfolios. We handle everything from sourcing off-market deals to managing renovations and connecting clients with reliable property management.

If this aligns with what you’re looking for, feel free to reach out—I’d be happy to discuss further.

Looking forward to hearing more about your plans!

Best,
Travis

Hey Kevin,

No, you are definitely not crazy! I don't know a single person who regrets starting out with a quad and house hacking. If you and your wife are on the same page, I say absolutely go for it.

Don't worry about the naysayers telling you to invest out of state if that's not something you're comfortable with right now. At the end of the day, they're not looking out for your best interests. Staying local and house hacking—especially now, before kids—gives you so much flexibility to set yourselves up for long-term success.

Your financial foundation is super strong, and house hacking a quad sounds like an amazing first step for you two. Full speed ahead!

Best of luck,
Travis

Hey Amit,

Section 8 is definitely appealing to a lot of out-of-state investors because of the perceived stability of government-backed rental payments. Knowing the rent will likely show up each month—even if the tenant has challenges—removes a lot of the uncertainty that can come with rentals.

The people listing this apartment as a “Section 8 property” are likely trying to target buyers who value that stability. There’s a strong demand from investors who specifically seek Section 8 properties for their reliability, so it can make the listing more attractive to the right audience.

That said, managing Section 8 properties isn’t completely hands-off. You’ll need to handle inspections, work with housing authorities, and make sure your tenant screening process is solid. It’s not necessarily more difficult than market-rate rentals, just different.

If you’re seriously considering this route, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to share what’s worked for me.

Best,
Travis

Hi Helena & Tom,

Welcome to the Detroit market—it’s great to see international investors diving in! I’m based in California but have been investing in Detroit since 2019 and have built a portfolio there. Detroit can be a fantastic market with strong cash flow and good appreciation potential, but it’s definitely a unique place with its own quirks.

Starting with cash is a smart move, especially in Detroit, where local knowledge and relationships can make a huge difference. Financing as a non-US citizen might be a challenge, but it’s not impossible—I’d recommend reaching out to lenders experienced with foreign investors early in your journey.

A few general tips:

1. Take the time to really understand the neighborhoods. Detroit is very block-by-block, so knowing the dynamics in the area you’re targeting is key.

2. Reliable property management is everything, especially as out-of-state investors. Make sure you’re working with a team that has a good reputation and understands the market.

3. Be prepared for the learning curve with Detroit—it’s rewarding but comes with its fair share of challenges.

If you’d like more specific guidance or have questions, feel free to DM me. Happy to share resources or insights that might help as you get started!

Best of luck,

Travis

Ethan, how is Detroit not on this list?

The median price in Detroit is up over 2x in the last 5 years. It's far more than that over the last 10 years.

And the city has one of the highest rent-to-price ratios out there.

How did it get overlooked?

 Sure, just DM'd you. 

For anyone else, it's far easier if you just send me a direct message.

 Sure, just DM'd you.

Merry Christmas!

Received!

 Sure, just sent you a DM.