All Forum Posts by: Min Zhang

Welcome to BiggerPockets Mark! You're in the right place to learn about real estate investing. I have been on this platform since college. I am excited for you!

Welcome to BP Melissa! I haven’t personally bought property out of state, but I always tell my out-of-state clients to hire a property manager for their first investment. A good property manager really helps take the pressure off, especially when you're not around to oversee everything. Plus, they handle all the day-to-day stuff like managing tenants and handling maintenance so you don’t have to worry about a thing. It’s a huge relief knowing someone trustworthy is on the ground, keeping everything running smoothly. 

Long-Distance Real Estate Investing by David Greene is definitely a good book I recommend to my out of state clients. Best of luck and don't hesitate to ask if you need anything!

Welcome to BP Sankalp! Based on your down payment budget ($40k-$60k), at 25% down, you’ll be looking at properties in the $160K-$240K price range. In this range, you can find duplexes in C-Class neighborhoods in Columbus, such as Linden and Hilltop. I personally own properties in these areas, and they’ve been performing well in terms of cash flow! Good luck and I'm happy to connect if you have any questions.

Hey Chris, I’d recommend to start in your own state if you can. It makes things a little easier, especially when you're just getting started. But I have clients who find the numbers don’t work for them locally so they explore other areas that make more sense for them. If you decide to go out of state, I’d recommend starting with turnkey properties and having a property manager handle everything. It takes a lot of the stress off your plate.

Also, you need to figure out your criteria before you jump into anything. This will help you know if a deal is worth it or not. For instance, does the cash flow align with your goals? And definitely avoid investing in sketchy neighborhoods. It’s always good to get input from a local agent who knows the area well. Best of luck and I'm happy to connect if you have any questions!

Welcome to the community Ryan! Congrats on your first 3! While you're focusing on building your capital, I recommend to start connecting with other investors in your target areas. Property managers and agents can be really helpful as well as they’ll give you insight into the market and could have some opportunities for you down the road.

In the meantime, try researching the areas you're interested in. Get familiar with the local market trends and property values. That way, when you’re ready to make an offer, you'll be all set and confident to move fast. Looking forward to seeing your progress and connecting more!

Hey Jorge! My first piece of advice would be to focus on understanding the market you’re interested in. Study the trends, know the neighborhoods, and understand pricing. I also spent a lot of time networking with other investors and professionals to get advice and tips. It’s all about taking small steps and learning along the way. Honestly, every deal helped me grow, and I’m sure it’ll be the same for you! Good luck, and feel free to reach out if you ever want to brainstorm strategies!

@Stan Mendoza There’s a ton of great info on here but a good starting point is understanding your financing options, getting familiar with the different property types, and learning about the area you want to invest in. Everyone’s journey is different, so be sure to take your time and don’t hesitate to ask for advice!

Hey Eric, welcome to BP! Parma Heights is a solid choice in Cleveland. I’d say it’s more of a B-class area, but you can definitely find good SFHs in the $200k+ range. As for the entity setup, I’ve got a referral I can send your way. I can also send PM referrals as well. Best of luck on your journey!

Hey Christian, have you considered house hacking as a way to get started with minimal upfront capital? If you're planning to invest locally, I highly recommend it. That’s what I did when I started investing five years ago. Here is an article with more information on what a house hack is - www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/house-hacking

Good luck and I'm excited to see you grow!

Hey Christine, I recommend checking Columbus. For around $400k, you can find duplexes in solid A/B-class neighborhoods, and for around $200k, you can grab one in C-class areas. My rentals are located in C-class neighborhoods in Hilltop and Linden, and they've been cash flowing really well for me too. I’ve had great success with those areas, and it's nice to see that they're appreciating over time. Cleveland is another solid option. For about $150k, you can find duplexes in decent condition in C-class areas. If you ever want to chat or brainstorm strategies, feel free to connect!