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All Forum Posts by: Min Zhang

Min Zhang has started 7 posts and replied 866 times.

Post: Out of state investing - newbie RE investor

Min Zhang
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Posts 890
  • Votes 1,089

Hi Thomas, happy new year! It's great to hear about your journey into real estate investing and how you've been actively educating yourself through BP podcasts and forums. 

Regarding your concerns about the New Hampshire market, it makes sense to explore other options. Columbus, OH is indeed a promising area with lower entry points and strong cash flow potential. It is a great market to pick up rental properties because of the lower home prices and demand from renters. JPMorgan Chase, Nationwide, Honda, L Brands, Huntington, and Amazon are just a few of the many companies that have thousands of jobs in the city. I also invest in Cleveland and Dayton and I can also share insights about these markets. Let me know how I can help!

Post: Newbie from Toronto, hoping to break into the US market

Min Zhang
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Posts 890
  • Votes 1,089

Hello Yinka, welcome to Bigger Pockets!

Cleveland is a great choice for multifamily investing with a focus on cashflow. It's known for its affordable real estate and growing rental market. You've picked some interesting markets to research! I also invest in Columbus and Dayton and can share some insights about these three markets. Let me know how I can help!

Post: Any suggestions for investing local or out of state?

Min Zhang
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Posts 890
  • Votes 1,089

Hey Carlos, happy new year!

When it comes to investing out of state (OOS), here's a simple tip: Begin your search by looking into cities or regions that fit your investment goals and strategies. Look for areas with strong job growth, a growing population, and a stable economy. Find that perfect match for what you want to achieve, and don't rush – take your time to dive into the specifics.

If you're looking for a good place to start investing, I'd suggest checking out the Midwest. It's got a lower entry point, and the cash flow tends to be pretty sweet. Personally, I'm into Columbus, Ohio. It's been booming lately thanks to tech giants like Intel, Meta, Amazon, and Google setting up shop, which has bumped up property prices and brought in more job opportunities.

I've also got my investments in Cleveland and Dayton. So, if you need any insights let me know how I can help!

Post: Love to Connect!!

Min Zhang
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Posts 890
  • Votes 1,089

Hello Yakini, welcome to BiggerPockets!

Cleveland is a sweet spot for real estate investment, home prices are reasonable, and there's always a crowd looking to rent. I'm actively investing in Columbus, Cleveland, and Dayton, and I'm always open to connecting and sharing insights about these markets. Let me know how can I help!

Post: Seeking advice on evaluating new regions to invest in

Min Zhang
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Posts 890
  • Votes 1,089

Hello Scott,

First things first, start your search by checking out different cities or regions that match up with your investment goals and strategies. Keep an eye out for places with robust job growth, a growing population, and a stable economy. It's all about finding that sweet spot that aligns with what you're aiming for. And remember, it's okay to take your time and really dig into the details. 

I prefer to start in the midwest, because the entry point is much lower and cash flows the best. As long as you develop your Core 4 like David Green’s mentioned in his long-distance investing strategy (realtor, contractor, property manager, and lender), you should be able to invest anywhere with confidence. I buy in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus has experienced so much growth for the past few years, partly due to the influx of tech giants like Intel ($20 billion), Meta, Amazon, and Google building warehouses and data centers in the area, which has contributed to an increase in property prices and more people moving into the city for job opportunities. I also invest in Cleveland and Dayton. Let me know how I can help!

Post: house hacking; first time home buyer

Min Zhang
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Posts 890
  • Votes 1,089

Hey Nish,

I totally get your mix of excitement and nerves about diving into real estate through house hacking. It's a big step, but it's great that you're willing to put in the work to make it happen.

I actually did a bit of house hacking myself back in 2020 here in Columbus, Ohio when I started my real estate journey. So, I can relate to where you're coming from.

If you want to dive deeper into what house hacking is all about, I found this cool article that explains it:  www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/house-hacking

I noticed from one of your comments that you're interested in house hacking in Cleveland.I'd love to chat more and share some insights about the market. Let me know how I can help

Post: New investor all advice welcome and appreciated!

Min Zhang
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Posts 890
  • Votes 1,089

Hey Andrew, congrats on your awesome start! You're already nailing it with your current properties and cash flow.

Expanding your real estate portfolio is an exciting journey, and it sounds like you're on the right track. One effective strategy is to explore markets with great potential for growth, like Ohio. 
When expanding your portfolio through out-of-state (OOS) investing, thoroughly research potential markets, focusing on areas with strong job growth, population influx, and diverse industries to ensure long-term stability. Additionally, consider building a local network of real estate professionals and property management teams to help you navigate the unique challenges of investing in unfamiliar territories and maximize your chances of success. Columbus, in particular, has been thriving due to tech giants moving in, which has increased property values and job opportunities. I also invest in Cleveland and Dayton, so those cities might be worth considering too. Let me know how can I help!

Post: Looking to Start Out of State Invest, New Beginner looking for mentors or knowledge

Min Zhang
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Posts 890
  • Votes 1,089

Hello James,

Great to see your enthusiasm for out-of-state investing! Ohio can be a fantastic choice, especially for cash flow, and it's awesome that you're already managing 5 units in NY. Your willingness to learn and take those first steps is key. I recommend you read this article on OOS investing. It explains the importance of creating your core four. You will need to get a local, rockstar Realtor, contractor, lender, and property manager.

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

I've been actively investing in Columbus, Ohio, for a couple of years now, primarily in single-family value-add rental properties. However, I totally agree that multi-family properties can offer better cash flow opportunities. Just remember to stay financially prudent, avoid over-leveraging, and keep some reserves handy. With the right strategy and mindset, you can definitely build a successful real estate portfolio. Let me know how can I help!

Post: Starting out, finding a strategy

Min Zhang
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Posts 890
  • Votes 1,089

Hey Esha!

It's awesome that you're diving into real estate investing, especially considering OOS options. Columbus has indeed seen some exciting growth, and those tech giants moving in have had a big impact. Cleveland and Dayton can be great choices too, with their own unique opportunities. In terms of strategy, I recommend starting with a turnkey cash flow rental. It’s the simplest way to get a feel of what it is like to be a landlord without going through the hassle of managing rehab projects. I started purchasing a small multifamily in Columbus, Ohio 2 years ago. The cost of entry is low while the cash flow is high. Columbus is the only Ohio market that has seen rapid growth in jobs and population. Let me know how I can help you.

Post: STR, MTR or LTR?

Min Zhang
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Posts 890
  • Votes 1,089

Hey Sammy, 

In Columbus, Ohio, your rental strategy—whether it's Short-Term Rentals (STR), Medium-Term Rentals (MTR), or Long-Term Rentals (LTR)—depends on your goals and the specific property. Columbus's tech growth means there's demand for housing, making all these options viable. And if you're curious about which areas in Columbus can bring in positive cash flow, I've got some insights to share. Let me know how can I help!