Specialty Services
Buying Investment Property in Southeast Michigan. You Need an Agent Who Knows the Numbers.
Most agents are trained to help primary buyers find homes they love. That's not what you need. You need someone who can assess condition honestly, knows rental comps by neighborhood, and moves fast enough to compete for good inventory.
We work with buy-and-hold investors, fix-and-flip buyers, BRRRR strategy clients, and 1031 exchange purchasers across Oakland and Macomb counties. We also run a cash offer program that generates off-market inventory you won't find on Zillow.
Who we work with
Investment Strategies We Support
Different strategies require different things from an agent. Here's where we have direct experience.
Buy-and-Hold Rental
Single-family and small multi-family rentals with long-term tenants. We know which neighborhoods have strong rental demand and which properties pencil — and which ones don't.
BRRRR Strategy
Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat. We source distressed properties, connect you with reliable local contractors, and understand the post-rehab refinance timeline. Speed and condition assessment matter here.
Fix and Flip
Finding undervalued properties with the right ARV upside requires neighborhood-level pricing knowledge. We know what renovated homes are selling for in each submarket — and we move quickly.
1031 Exchange
Exchanging out of another investment and into Southeast Michigan? We understand the 45-day identification and 180-day close timeline and can help you find qualifying replacement property at pace.
First-Time Investor
Starting your first rental property is different from buying a primary home. We'll walk you through the numbers — purchase price, estimated rent, expenses, vacancy — before you make an offer.
Portfolio Expansion
Adding a second or fifth property to an existing portfolio. You know how to run the analysis — we bring the inventory, the off-market access, and the speed to compete.
What we bring
Why Investors Work With Us
Off-Market Access Through Our Cash Offer Program
We run a cash offer program that puts us in front of motivated sellers before they list. That means opportunities that never hit Zillow — distressed properties, landlords who are done, estates that want a quiet sale. Investors who work with us get first look.
Neighborhood-Level Rental Market Knowledge
Not every zip code in Oakland and Macomb County has the same rental demand, tenant quality, or rent-to-price ratio. We know which areas attract long-term tenants, which are oversupplied, and which are underpriced relative to demand.
Honest Condition Assessment
An investor who overpays for rehab scope loses the deal before the first nail goes in. We walk properties with an investor's eye — structural concerns, mechanical systems, deferred maintenance — and give you a realistic picture of what you're actually buying.
Speed
Good investment properties don't sit. We return calls the same day, write offers fast, and don't fumble the inspection timeline. If you need to move, we move.
Contractor and PM Connections
We have relationships with local contractors, property managers, and lenders who work with investors. We can introduce you to the people you'll need to actually operate what you buy.
How it works
From Criteria to Closing
Investment Criteria Conversation
We start by understanding your strategy: buy-and-hold or flip, your price range, your financing, and your target return thresholds. We need to know what a good deal looks like to you before we can find one.
Market and Submarket Education
If you're new to Southeast Michigan, we'll walk you through the submarkets — which areas have strong rental demand, which have strong resale values for flips, and where the best value is relative to your criteria.
Active Property Search — On and Off Market
We search MLS inventory and pull from our off-market pipeline. When something fits your criteria, you hear about it immediately — before it's been sitting for three days.
Walk the Property Together
We attend showings with an investor's perspective — not a homebuyer's. We're looking at condition, rehab scope, layout efficiency for rental, and neighborhood comp trajectory, not finishes and paint colors.
Run the Numbers Before You Offer
Before you write an offer, we look at comparable sales, comparable rentals, estimated rehab scope, and holding costs. Not a guarantee of returns — but an honest view of what the deal actually looks like.
Negotiate, Close, and Connect You
We negotiate hard on price and terms. At closing, we connect you with property managers, contractors, or lenders if you need them. The relationship doesn't end at the closing table.
Common questions
Investment Property in Southeast Michigan: FAQs
What types of investment properties are most active in Southeast Michigan?
Single-family rentals are the most active category in Oakland and Macomb counties — particularly in the $150K–$350K range where rent-to-price ratios tend to work better. Small multi-family (2–4 units) is less common but exists in certain pockets. Fix-and-flip activity is strong in the $100K–$250K purchase range, with higher ARV potential in suburbs like Sterling Heights, Warren, and parts of Oakland County. We can show you specific comp data for the areas you're targeting.
Do you have access to off-market properties?
Yes. We operate a cash offer program that generates motivated seller leads — landlords who are done, distressed properties, and estates that want a quiet sale. These properties often never hit MLS. Investors who work with us get early access to this pipeline. We can't guarantee volume, but it's a consistent source of deals that aren't publicly available.
Can you help me run the numbers on a potential rental?
We can pull comparable rental data, show you what similar properties are renting for, and help you think through the expense side — taxes, insurance, maintenance reserve, vacancy, and property management. We're not financial advisors and we won't project your returns for you, but we can make sure you're working with accurate market data before you make a decision.
Can you help with a 1031 exchange purchase in Michigan?
Yes. We've worked with out-of-state investors exchanging into Southeast Michigan. We understand the 45-day identification deadline and 180-day closing requirement, and we can move quickly to help you identify and close qualifying replacement property within your exchange timeline. Coordinate with your qualified intermediary early — we handle the real estate side.
What financing options do investors typically use in this market?
Conventional investment property loans (typically requiring 20–25% down), DSCR loans (debt service coverage ratio loans that qualify based on the property's rental income rather than your personal income), hard money for short-term fix-and-flip financing, and cash purchases. We can connect you with local and regional lenders who specialize in investment property financing. The right structure depends on your strategy and timeline.
Do you work with out-of-state investors?
Yes. We've helped investors from out of state buy rental property in Southeast Michigan remotely — video walk-throughs, detailed condition reports, and coordination through closing without requiring you to be here for every step. If you can visit once for a targeted showing trip, that's ideal. But we can work around your schedule.
Where we work
Investment Property Across Southeast Michigan
Let's Find Your Next Deal
Tell Us Your Criteria. We'll Go to Work.
A 15-minute call is all it takes to know whether we're a fit — and to get you plugged into our off-market pipeline.
Brad Patrick, Realtor® · Southeast Michigan
Real estate investment involves risk, including the potential loss of capital. Nothing on this page constitutes financial, tax, or investment advice. Past performance of any market or property type is not a guarantee of future results. Consult a licensed financial advisor, accountant, and attorney before making investment decisions. Oak & Stone Real Estate is committed to compliance with the Fair Housing Act and all applicable fair housing laws. Equal Housing Opportunity.