All Forum Posts by: Zeke Liston

Recently getting started in the real estate investing world. What are thoughts on first property being out of state like 8hrs away. If you learn the area and find real great deals and have a hunch on what might be a up and coming area. Even if your first is more risky isn't it worth it!! 

Hi,

Is anyone successful acquiring and renting out duplexes and fourplexes in the current market?

Hi all! I just joined the forum after listening to a couple audiobooks written by former BiggerPockets hosts. I recently read Rich Dad Poor Dad, as I've heard many of you have as well, which inspired me to start taking investing seriously and focus on real estate. I'm currently working my way through some of Robert Kiyosaki's other popular books, as well as others on real estate investing specifically. At the moment, I'm focused on absorbing all the information I can before jumping into the active learning of actually investing. My husband and I are also playing Kiyosaki's Cash Flow game on a semi-regular basis.

From what I've researched so far, short-term rentals and long-term multi-family rentals seem to be the best fit for my goals and interests. I've done more research on multi-family than short-term rentals though, so I'm definitely looking to learn more about short-term rentals before deciding which I should focus on (at least initially). If you have experience with both, I'd love to hear your opinions and experience with each and why you might prefer one over the other. In particular, I'd like to know which has performed better for you personally in terms of annual cashflow, and which you would recommend to a beginning investor?

My goal is to purchase my first investment property within the next twelve months. If I go the short-term rental route, I'll be looking at areas within an hour and a half drive of my house, ideally on one of the lakes in the area or White River. If I go with the multi-family route, I'll be looking a bit further away around the major cities in Arkansas and Tennessee at a duplex or triplex. I'm currently based in north central Arkansas near Mountain Home. Eager to connect with y'all!

Hi BP community,

I’m new to real estate investing and currently exploring out-of-state opportunities in the $80K–$125K range, with a focus on BRRRR and small multi-family properties.

I’ve been doing my research, but I know there’s only so much I can learn from books and podcasts — the real lessons come from actually doing deals. Before I jump in, I’d love to hear from those of you who’ve already gone through the process:

• What’s the biggest lesson you learned from your first BRRRR out of state?
• Were there any surprises (good or bad) you didn’t see coming?
• If you could go back, what would you do differently before buying your first property?
• Any tips for building a reliable local team before pulling the trigger?

I know mistakes are part of the journey, but I’d like to learn as much as I can from others’ experiences so I can start strong and avoid the common pitfalls.

Thanks in advance for sharing your insight — I really appreciate it!

Christopher

Hey fellow ohio investors, 

I'm looking at the median sale price for Columbus properties and saw an interesting trend. Why does the sale price always dip in January and peak in ~August of each year? Could someone please explain why there's such a consistent pattern on the sale price? Does that mean there're fewer buyers in winter always? 

Thank you all very much. 

I self manage a SFH in St. Paul, MN. The tenants signed a lease that requires them to pay all Utilities other than trash/recycling. They put the water utility in their name, as I required, but it seems like they don't think they have to pay the bill. I keep getting notices from the city utility about it. When I call and tell them it's my tenant's responsibility, the City acknowledges that the account is in my tenants' names. But for whatever reason, I am still notified by the City so that makes me worried that I will be on the hook when they move out one day and this will destroy my credit. Whenever I confront my tenants about this, they either claim it's being taken care of by a third party payment plan they set up (probably some sort of debt consolidation program, presumably) or they tell me they have taken care of it. Yet I keep getting notices.

Anyone else have experience with this?  It's just odd to me, as the rent is paid on time each month and that is a far bigger bill.

My name is Liz Conrad and I am new to this community and currently have one investment property and looking to expand my portfolio.  I look forward to being a part of this group. 

Hi BP family,

Wondering what some your thoughts are on properties older than 100 years? I am looking at a few opportunities in the Midwest and the numbers seems to work, my biggest concern is some of them were built in the early 1900s. I have done most of my investing down in south FL, so I am used to looking at properties closer to 50-60 years or younger. 

Any feedback, advice, or thoughts would be appreciated. 

@Zeke Liston thanks! Any neighborhoods in particular you would recommend focusing efforts on? I often see people recommend aiming for B-C neighborhoods but that seems somewhat subjective.