All Forum Posts by: Min Zhang

Welcome to the community, Tyler! This is a great place to connect and learn with other investors. Wishing you all the best as you keep growing your real estate journey. Let me know if you'd like to brainstorm strategies!

Hey Mi'al! One key thing is to focus on building a strong network. Connect with other investors, real estate agents, contractors, and even property managers. The more people you know, the more opportunities will come your way. 

I’d also recommend considering turnkey properties as a way to ease into the game. Turnkey properties are fully renovated and sometimes have tenants already in place, so they can offer a more passive income stream right from the start. This lets you focus on learning the ropes of property management, tenant relations, and the financials without the added complexity of major renovations or rehabbing.

Looking forward to seeing you crush it in this space. I’m excited to see where this journey takes you!

Hi Daniel! You can check out BP Calculators to get started in analyzing deals. It’s super handy for running the numbers on potential rental properties and flips. Also, if you want to check rental comps, you can use Rentometer and the “Price My Rental” feature on Zillow. You can also search for specific neighborhoods or zip codes on Zillow to get a better feel for the housing market in that area. Hope this helps and let me know if you want to brainstorm strategies!

Hi Yury, for a first-time investor, I recommend checking out Midwest. Start with single-family or small multi-family (2-4 units) for less risk, and consider turnkey properties to minimize initial work.

Register your LLC in the state where you invest, and start with one LLC. You can always expand later if needed.

For agents, go with those experienced with investors. They can connect you with reliable property managers and contractors. Tools like Roofstock and Niche are great for researching neighborhoods.

One advantage of multi-family is that if one unit is vacant, the others help cover the mortgage. 

In my experience, starting small and keeping it simple works best for first-time investors. Take your time, do your research, and don’t rush. Hope that helps, and good luck!

Hey Sarah! When it comes to investing locally vs. out of state, I highly recommend starting in your local market, especially since you already have your core team in place (realtor, contractors, repairmen, etc.). It will save you time and reduce some of the stress of managing a property remotely, especially as first-time investors.

One of the reasons why investors look for out-of-state opportunities is when the local numbers just don’t make sense for them. The returns may not be as high or the market doesn’t align with their goals. However, I wouldn’t necessarily discourage looking into out-of-state options if you find that the numbers work better elsewhere. Yes, it can be more challenging to manage a remote property, but many investors successfully do this by building solid relationships with local teams and property managers. If you're open to out-of-state investing down the line, consider starting small, perhaps with a property manager and team you can trust, and always prioritize due diligence. It could still be a great option for scaling your portfolio in the future. Good luck!

Welcome to the community Lydia! My advice would be to start small and really dig into your research. Get to know the local market, connect with other investors and agents, and always have a clear plan in place before jumping into any investments. I wish you the best of luck on your journey, and happy to connect if you have any questions!

Hey Naomi, I can’t speak too much about other markets, but here in Columbus, we’re seeing a lot of appreciation and strong growth, especially with the expansion of tech giants and Intel. My advice would be to start by narrowing down your market focus and reaching out to your lender to get a clear picture of your price range. After that, you’ll need to filter what type of property you're aiming for, whether it’s a single-family home or a small multi-unit (2-4 units). Depending on your budget and the property type, you’ll want to check if you can afford either option in that price range. Then, you can look into the potential cash flow and see if the numbers make sense for you. Best of luck on your search!

Welcome to the community Robert! Cleveland is a great choice if you’re all about cash flow. Just make sure to do your homework on the neighborhoods. There are properties that might look great on paper, but the area can sometimes be less than ideal. I suggest checking out the west side.  Best of luck on your search!

Hey Justin, I actually met my mentor when I attended a local networking event. It was a great way to connect with professionals in the field and find someone who was genuinely willing to share their knowledge. I ended up purchasing/partnering on my first value-add deal with my mentor, which was a game-changer for me. So, I’d suggest checking out local events, industry meetups, or even online forums. Just put yourself out there and build relationships!

I’ve seen many new investors struggle with when they’re building out their Core Four team. The best approach starting out is to interview a couple of agents and get a feel for how they work specifically with investors. Not every agent is investor-friendly, and you’ll notice that quickly once you start asking about deal analysis, off-market opportunities, or cap rates. 

That said, once you find someone who really aligns with your goals and you feel confident in their expertise, I do recommend building a strong relationship and being loyal to that agent. Agents often go the extra mile for their investor clients when there’s mutual trust and consistency. Investor focused agents share pocket listings and refers solid lenders, contractors, and property managers. Best of luck on your journey and hoping you find the right one for you Bruce!