Besides pricing, what are you guys doing to stand out from the hundreds of thousands of lenders out there offering nearly the same thing? 

Columbus, Ohio, is quietly emerging as one of the strongest examples of this trend.Why Columbus Stands Out for Investors:Affordability with Strong Returns – Home prices remain accessible compared to national averages, while median rents have shown consistent growth, creating favorable rent-to-price ratios.Population and Job Growth – With Ohio State University, a robust healthcare system, and major employers expanding—most notably Intel’s $20B investment—Columbus is attracting new residents at one of the fastest rates in the Midwest.Revitalization and Development – Significant city and private investments are reshaping downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, fueling appreciation and long-term demand.Investor-Friendly Climate – Ohio remains comparatively landlord-friendly, allowing owners to better protect cash flow and streamline operations.Strategic Location – Columbus sits within a day’s drive of 50% of the U.S. population, strengthening its role as a logistics and business hub.The Takeaway: Columbus is no longer just a “stable” Midwest market—it is evolving into a growth-oriented environment where investors can combine cash flow with appreciation potential.

From the investor side, what usually stands out first is how well the numbers hold up against the exit strategy (flip vs. rental) and how realistic the rehab assumptions are.

If you focus on building strong relationships with investors and agents, and always run your numbers conservatively, you’ll stand out no matter the brokerage.

Drop your answer below—I’d love to see where everyone stands!

Some larger or more complex commercial deals may go higher, but that range is fairly standard for residential and small investment properties.What I’ve noticed recently is that competitive markets are pushing brokers to be flexible—sometimes offering flat fees or credits toward closing costs to stand out.

Terrance,This property already stands on its foundation extremely well (1.5), but it could be restructured as a value add play as it has some spaces to fill and I am already speaking to some new potential tenants.

Hi Steven, great post, Your experience across sales, operations, and commercial real estate really stands out it’s impressive to see someone so dedicated to helping investors find creative opportunities.

That way, when something stands out (better cash flow, higher ROI, motivated seller), you’ll spot it right away.

You don’t have to meet face-to-face if you’re uncomfortable.Bottom line: stay professional, stand by the lease, get the key, and document everything in writing.