Columbus

We buy across almost every area of Columbus, provided the individual deal meets our investment criteria. Rather than limiting ourselves to a fixed list of neighbourhoods, we assess properties on rental demand, purchase price, property condition, tenant profile and potential returns.

• B-class neighbourhoodsEstablished residential areas with solid rental demand, relatively stable tenant profiles and properties that can generate sustainable cash flow. Suitable for investors looking for a balance between rental income, property condition and risk.
• C-class neighbourhoodsMore affordable neighbourhoods where the purchase price can support attractive rental returns. We pay particular attention to the individual street, property condition, tenant demand and potential maintenance costs.
• Street by streetWe do not automatically rule out an area because of its reputation, nor do we assume every property in a desirable neighbourhood is a good investment. We evaluate each opportunity individually.

We are more cautious when recommending properties to first-time investors. We generally advise inexperienced investors to avoid Hilltop and North Linden, where selecting the right property and managing the risks can require more local knowledge and experience. Opportunities can still exist in these areas for investors who understand the risks and where the individual deal makes sense.

Our approach is straightforward: we buy based on the numbers, while taking the risks behind those numbers seriously.

Our preferred investment is a duplex with two independent rental units. We may also consider other small residential investment properties when the numbers justify the acquisition.

Typical purchase budget, duplex

$175,000–$280,000

Preferred acquisition range

$200,000–$250,000

Illustrative duplex purchase price

$215,000

Target combined monthly rent, typical duplex

$2,300–$2,500

These prices are for duplexes. Single-family homes are priced lower.

We prefer properties that are rent-ready or need manageable improvements, rather than extensive, unpredictable renovation work.

Our initial screening benchmarks include a target gross rental yield of 10% or more and the 1% rule where feasible. These are screening tools, not guarantees of profitability. Every acquisition must also pass a full cash-flow analysis that accounts for financing, vacancy, taxes, insurance, property management, repairs and capital expenditure.

Our target tenants are primarily long-term renters looking for practical, well-maintained housing at a reasonable price.

• Working professionals and employees in local businesses
• Healthcare workers and university-related employees
• Couples and small families looking for affordable housing
• Working households who prefer renting a house or duplex rather than a larger apartment complex

The exact tenant profile depends on the location, property size, condition and achievable rent. We evaluate each property against its local rental market rather than relying on optimistic rent assumptions.

Columbus has a diversified economy supported by education, healthcare, government, finance, insurance, logistics and technology.

Major employers and institutions include The Ohio State University, OhioHealth, Nationwide, JPMorgan Chase and the State of Ohio. The region also benefits from investment in infrastructure, logistics and technology-related industries. This broad employment base supports housing demand across different tenant groups.

In Columbus we want to build a repeatable residential investment strategy across a wide range of neighbourhoods, rather than depend on a small number of locations.