There are a lot of choices when it comes to investing in real estate. There’s always a decision to make, and one of the first you’ll encounter is simple where? Where should I invest? Most investors start out considering their local markets—because why wouldn’t you? Still, there are clear pros and cons to investing locally...and out-of-state, for that matter!

As a real estate investor, the most important thing if figuring out what kind of investments best suits your situation, goals, and personality. If you’re having trouble taking the next step with your investing future, look no further than this evaluation. We’re diving into the pros and cons of both investing locally and out-of-state!

In the past, the rental markets that people clamored for were typically coastal cities. In the East, there was Florida and New York. The West had California’s many offerings, like San Francisco and Los Angeles. Undoubtedly, there’s some almost magical appeal about big markets like that. But investors, for a long time now, are taking advantage of alternative markets that have offerings that can make for just as much (if not more) success.

The big markets have grown so expensive that investing in them has become challenging to say the least, for all but the most affluent investors. The rent-to-price ratio just doesn’t add up in a favorable way for most real estate investors. Over the past several years, real estate investors are progressively looking inland for investment opportunities—and they’re finding them! 

For out-of-state investors, it’s vital to looking for that marriage of affordability and potential in the rental market. Out of the places you’ll find, Memphis, Tennessee is pretty high on that list.

Many real estate investors like to keep a close eye on their investment properties. They believe local is best and they’ve got to be able to be there on the ground in order to truly be successful at real estate investing.  There is nothing wrong with that approach.  In fact, depending on the neighborhood and type of property you are interested in purchasing, it may be best to stick close to home and invest locally.  However, investing in your own backyard is definitely NOT the only way to invest in single-family rental properties.

There’s a great myth that the only markets worth investing in is the one you’re in. While yes, there are absolutely benefits to investing in real estate on a local level—after all, you know the demographics, the management companies, the other investors, and even that little je ne sais quoi that you can only get from being a local yourself.

People say remote markets are dangerous. You won’t succeed. You need to be an insider. It’s true that you should know the market you’re choosing to invest in, and as much as possible. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find success through investing in real estate remotely. In fact, you can have a LOT of success! It just takes the right approach.

We will tell you outright that we believe the best way to invest in a remote market, whether it’s in the state over or across the country, is through turnkey real estate.