The Cincinnati Real Estate Investing Show

Lee Yoder is the founder of Threefold REI, a multifamily syndication company that acquires apartment complexes. Starting with a single house flip in 2017, Lee scaled to 930+ units and has taken three syndications full cycle. He builds his portfolio in small rural markets across Ohio and Indiana where institutional capital won't compete and runs his own in-house property management operation to maximize returns.In this episode, Lee Yoder joins hosts Slocomb Reed and Ian Cruz to break down why he deliberately skips Cincinnati's most desirable properties to buy cash-flowing multifamily in small rural markets and how that strategy has consistently delivered better returns for his investors. Lee and the hosts also dig into the K-shaped rental economy playing out across Greater Cincinnati right now, what the spring 2026 market shift means for operators, and why bringing property management in-house changed everything for his portfolio.What You Will Learn- Why Lee avoids 100+ unit deals in major metros and how he competes by going where institutional buyers won't- The cap rate and cash-on-cash benchmarks Lee targets in rural Ohio vs. what Cincinnati deals are actually producing- How the K-shaped rental economy is splitting the market: Class A rents climbing while C-class one-bedrooms struggle- When to invest in unit renovations and when over-improving actually hurts your bottom line- What it takes to build operational expertise in a market you don't live in- Why Lee brought property management in-house and how it changed his incentive structure- What the late-March 2026 leasing surge looks like on the ground across Greater CincinnatiTimestamps:- 00:00 – Introduction & guest welcome- 02:15 – Lee's investing journey: From one flip to 930 units- 05:00 – Why Lee stopped chasing deals inside Cincinnati- 09:30 – How institutional buyers win on price and why you can't out-compete them- 13:00 – Going rural: Small markets, less competition, better yields- 17:00 – Two strategies for avoiding institutional competition (Lee's vs. Slocomb and Ian's)- 21:30 – Williamsburg, Ohio: Who lives there and why- 27:00 – Unit mix, current rents, and leasing conditions in spring 2026- 31:00 – East side Cincinnati oversupply and how new deliveries hit C-class occupancy- 36:00 – AI leasing tools, Rent Engine, and the late-March market shift- 42:00 – The K-shaped rental economy: Class A vs. C-class in Greater Cincinnati- 48:00 – When to renovate and when to leave it alone in affordable housing- 53:30 – Bringing property management in-house: The why, the when, and the tradeoffs- 59:00 – Cincinnati hidden gems: Bike trails and the Little Miami Scenic Trail- 63:00 – Final thoughts and listener CTAThe Cincinnati Real Estate Investing Show is hosted by Slocomb Reed and Ian Cruz. New episodes every week. Subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share with a fellow investor.

In this LIVE episode, Slocomb Reed and co-host Ian Cruz sit down live at Cincinnati's Best Ever REI Mastermind meetup to talk about how they built their partnership from scratch, scaled from 8 to 100+ units, and saved a deal that was on the brink of not closing on time. They also share fresh Cincinnati rental market data straight from their proprietary web scraper and break down the leasing tactics landlords are using right now to stay competitive in a softening market.What You Will LearnHow to identify the four core GP roles: the Hammer, the Hunter, the Money, and the Brain, and why knowing which ones you fill is the key to finding the right partnerWhy Slocomb and Ian structured their partnership 50/50 and how their operating agreement handles decision-making to prevent deadlockHow to finance large multifamily deals using agency debt vs. local banks, and when to have a hard money backup readyThe full story of scrambling to close a 70+ unit deal after their agency lender nearly killed it with five days to spareWhat Cincinnati's rental market actually looks like right now: days on market, rent averages, absorption trends, and why Class A is outperforming Class B and CHow a 3-month promotional rent strategy can get a unit leased faster without permanently reducing long-term incomeWhy speed-to-lead, not concessions, is the biggest lever in leasing, and how AI tools are changing the game for property managersWhy out-of-state investors, especially from California, may get better returns as passive LP investors in Cincinnati multifamily than owning a single duplex remotelyTimestamps:00:00 – Welcome & Live Meetup Intro02:15 – About the Cincy REI Show and What Every Episode Delivers05:00 – Ian Cruz Introduction: From Venture Capital to Cincinnati Multifamily07:30 – How the TLP Investment Services Partnership Was Born10:00 – The 8-Unit Northside Deal: Testing the Partnership on a Real Property13:00 – Scaling to 73 Units and What a Fannie Mae Small Balance Loan Actually Looks Like17:30 – The $3M Hard Money Scramble: Saving the 73-Unit Close in Five Days24:00 – GP/LP Deal Structure: Roles, Equity Splits, and Investor Waterfalls30:00 – Why 50/50 Partnerships Work and How to Handle Disagreements35:00 – How to Spot Your Own Weaknesses and Know When You Need a Partner40:00 – Why Ian Chose Cincinnati and Sold a California 6-Unit to 1031 Exchange In44:00 – Live Cincinnati Market Data: Rentals vs. For-Sale Listings and Rent Trends50:00 – The K-Shaped Market: Why Class A Is Winning While Class B and C Soften54:00 – Leasing Strategies That Work Now: Promos, AI Speed-to-Lead, and Listing Quality60:00 – Closing Thoughts and Next Meetup AnnouncementFollow @thecincyreishow on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss a conversation like this one. Leave us a five-star review if we've added value.

Dylan Koch has done 300 off-market deals in Greater Cincinnati. He knows which neighborhoods require block-by-block analysis, why the sub-$250K ARV market is structurally supply-constrained, and what separates buyers who get deals from buyers who get ignored.In this episode, Dylan breaks down what wholesaling in Greater Cincinnati actually looks like in 2026. We cover where deal flow is strongest across Hamilton, Butler, Clermont, and Warren counties, how the buyer pool has shifted since the hedge fund era, and why markets like St. Bernard can swing dramatically within a few blocks.We also get into Ohio's new wholesale disclosure law (SB 155, effective March 2025) and what it means for buyers reviewing assignment agreements. Dylan walks through exactly what to look for in the original PSA before signing anything.If you are an out-of-state investor trying to break into this market, the role-play at the 39:00 mark is worth the listen alone. Dylan explains what he actually looks for when deciding which buyers get first call.What you will learn: Where Cincinnati deal flow is strongest by county and neighborhood in 2026-Why the sub$250K ARV segment remains one of the most competitive pockets in the marketHow SB 155 changed the disclosure requirements for wholesale transactions in OhioWhat buyers must verify in the original PSA before signing an assignment agreementHow to get on a serious wholesaler's buyer list as an out-of-state investorWhat makes a compelling buyer in 2026: cash, speed, experience, and relationshipsIf this episode gave you a clearer picture of what investing in Cincinnati actually looks like in 2026, share it with someone who needs to hear it.📲 Follow @thecincyreishow on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss a conversation like this one. Leave us a five-star review if we've added value; it helps us bring more expert operators like Dylan to the show.Want to connect with Dylan Koch or learn more about the Cincinnati market? Tune in, take notes, and reach out to the guests and hosts directly through the show.Subscribe. Share. Invest smarter.🎙 Guest: Dylan Koch: Founder, Morning Brew PropertiesTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction: Meet Dylan Cook, Morning Brew Properties02:10 – From pharmacy school to Cincinnati investor: Dylan's origin story05:30 – Going full-time in 2021: $30K spent before the first deal08:00 – 300 off-market deals: How the Cincinnati wholesale market has shifted11:15 – Who's buying now? Flippers vs. hedge funds vs. buy-and-hold investors13:40 – Where deal flow is strongest: Hamilton, Butler, Clermont, and Warren counties17:00 – The sub-$250K ARV sweet spot: Why supply is capped and demand keeps rising21:30 – Neighborhoods that require block-by-block analysis (Madisonville, Evanston, Avondale, Norwood, Redding)26:00 – St. Bernard: An underrated micro-market with sharp internal price swings28:30 – Advice for new investors: How to underwrite deals and move fast31:00 – Ohio's new wholesale disclosure law (SB 155): What buyers AND sellers need to know35:45 – Why you must always review the original PSA before signing an assignment agreement39:00 – Role play: How to get on a serious wholesaler's buyer list as an out-of-state investor45:30 – What makes the most compelling buyer: cash, speed, experience, and relationships49:00 – Why expert operators matter more than ever in 202652:30 – Cincinnati hidden gems: Arthur's Cafe, Skyline, and the staples54:00 – Closing thoughts and episode wrap

The short-term rental gold rush in Cincinnati is over, but the right operators are still printing cash. Yiwei Cheng, founder of Pink Cash Cow Property Management, manages 30 STR and furnished rental properties across greater Cincinnati and has seen the market shift in real time. In this episode she breaks down exactly what's working in 2026, which neighborhoods are being hit by bans, and what property specs actually matter when guests get picky.You'll hear Yiwei cover: Why the city of Cincinnati is legally protected for STRs while surrounding townships are banning them fast, the bedroom-to-bathroom ratio rule she never violates, the top amenities driving bookings (hint: it's not a hot tub), and how she took a township zoning battle all the way through two Ohio courts of appeal and won. She also shares the honest revenue reality: nightly rates are down, midterm rentals are filling the gap, and the casual host is getting priced out.If you're invested in, or thinking about, furnished rentals in Cincinnati, this is the most current, ground-level take you'll find.Follow @thecincyreishow and share this one with anyone in the STR space.00:00 Introduction: Slocomb and Ian introduce Yiwei Cheng and Pink Cash Cow Property Management02:10 Yiwei's origin story: Moving from California, accidentally starting on Airbnb after being stuck with two housing payments05:30 Early STR mistakes: Underpricing, no blinds, wrong location assumptions, and the first guest party disaster08:45 COVID pivot: Why downtown went quiet and suburban big homes took off11:20 What's working in 2026: The three factors that determine STR success: location, layout, and amenities14:00 Regulation breakdown: Cincinnati proper vs. townships, and which areas have recently banned STRs18:30 The Symmes Township lawsuit: How Yiwei fought a zoning battle through two Ohio courts of appeal and won 25:00 Northern Kentucky STR rules: Covington, Newport, Bellevue, and why NKY is pulling back27:30 Hamilton and Mason: Data center opportunity, midterm demand, and the King's Island market31:00 The hybrid STR/midterm strategy: When to push nightly rates vs. lock in longer stays 35:00 Revenue reality check: How rates have compressed since 2022 and what operators need to accept38:30 Top amenities that drive Cincinnati bookings: Parking, pools, hot tubs, and family-friendly features43:00 Review pitfalls: How to handle bad reviews and why heavy negotiators are your highest-risk guests46:30 Biggest Cincinnati events for STR demand: Blink, Oktoberfest, tennis tournament, hospitals, and year-round attractions52:00 Cincinnati hidden gems: Yiwei's restaurant picks including Salazar, Golden Hands Bakery, and Corner Dumpling House 54:30 Closing

What does it take to survive a real estate crash, rebuild from scratch, and come out the other side with a thriving portfolio? Jerry Garrison has done exactly that, and he's here to share every lesson.With two decades of experience as both an agent and investor in Greater Cincinnati, Jerry has seen these neighborhoods transform firsthand, from distressed and overlooked to some of the most sought-after zip codes in the city. In this episode, Jerry breaks down the arc of his investing journey, from a high-flying pre-2008 multifamily run that nearly broke him, to a disciplined single-family strategy centered on margins, geography, and repeat execution.We dig deep into the neighborhoods shaping Cincinnati real estate in 2026, including Madisonville, Fairfax, Evanston, Newport, and Northern Kentucky, and what strategies are actually working right now.In this episode:Whether you're new to Cincinnati real estate or looking to sharpen your strategy, Jerry's journey is a masterclass in resilience, market knowledge, and the power of showing up in the same neighborhood long enough for the deals to find you.🎙 Guest: Jerry Garrison, veteran Cincinnati realtor, investor, and house flipper with 20+ years in the market🏙 Topics: Surviving the 2008 crash · Single family buy and hold · Fix and flip margins · Fairfax neighborhood · Madisonville 2026 · Newport & Northern Kentucky · New construction on tight lots · Hyperlocal investing strategy00:00 - Introduction: Jerry Garrison's Cincinnati Real Estate Journey01:45 - From Corporate Life to Property Management & Real Estate Sales03:30 - 2008 Crash Survival: Lessons from Losing 100 Units06:15 - Transitioning from Multifamily to Single Family Investing08:00 - Why Geographic Focus Maximizes Real Estate Profits09:30 - Fairfax, Ohio: Hidden Gem Near Mariemont School District12:00 - Roof Pop Strategy: Turning 2/1s into 4/2.5s for Profit14:15 - Madisonville Buy & Hold: From $1,000 to $2,000+ Monthly Rent17:00 - Madisonville 2026: Value-Add Plays & Rising Property Taxes19:30 - Fairfax 2026: New Construction & Townhouse Style Builds22:45 - Crossing the River: Flipping Houses in Newport, Kentucky25:30 - Northern Kentucky vs. Cincinnati: Costs, Contractors & Taxes28:00 - Old Milford & Greater Cincinnati Real Estate Opportunities31:00 - Advice for New Investors in Cincinnati in 202634:30 - Cincinnati Hidden Gems: Little Miami River & City LifeThe Cincinnati Real Estate Investing Show is hosted by Slocomb Reed and Ian Cruz. New episodes every week. Subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share with a fellow investor.

What does 300 funded real estate deals across Greater Cincinnati actually look like on a map?Grant Smith of Sharper Capital Partners has seen them all: flips, BRRRs, and everything in between. In this episode, he pulls up the data live and breaks down exactly which Cincinnati neighborhoods are producing the most activity, why some areas trend toward holding and others toward selling, and what separates the investors who are winning from the ones who aren't.We also cover:→ Why Kennedy Heights is the hottest flip market right now→ The Hamilton vs. Middletown divide (BRRR vs. flip)→ What investors consistently underestimate in older Cincinnati housing stock→ Grant's 4-pillar framework for competitive advantage in today's marketWhether you're new to Cincinnati or already investing here, this episode is a masterclass in reading the local market from someone with an unmatched data set.🎙 Guest: Grant Smith, founding partner of Sharper Capital Partners and co-owner of Rowling Homes.Timestamps:🏙 Topics: Hard money lending · Fix and flip · BRRR strategy · Cincinnati neighborhoods · Investor strategy00:00 - Welcome & Grant Smith Introduction02:15 - From Medical Devices to Hard Money Lending04:30 - Rowling Homes: Off-Market Buying & Flipping06:45 - 80+ Active Deals: Sharper Capital's Portfolio Snapshot09:00 - Cincinnati Market Map: Where Deals Are Happening12:30 - BRRR vs. Flip: Which Strategy Works Where16:00 - Spooky Nook Effect on Hamilton Real Estate19:15 - Kennedy Heights: Cincinnati's Hottest Flip Market22:00 - Affordable Housing Under $300K: The Real Opportunity25:30 - 4 Competitive Advantages of Successful Flippers28:00 - Hidden Traps: Septic, Well Water & Local Code31:45 - Old Cincinnati Homes: Underwrite What You Can't See35:00 - Real Deal Horror Stories from the Field39:30 - Cincinnati's Biggest Hidden Gem

Ian Cruz grew up in San Jose, CA, but his Cincinnati story starts at age 13, traveling there for the first time to catch a Bengals game. That connection grew into something bigger: a deep network, real market knowledge, and a growing multifamily portfolio across greater Cincinnati.In this episode, the tables turn as Slocomb interviews co-host Ian Cruz, tracing his full Cincinnati investing journey from a 6-unit in Norwood to co-GP roles on 500+ unit deals to leading his own syndication, and why local knowledge matters more than picking the perfect market.What you will learn:Why Cincinnati beats other Midwest markets for out-of-state investorsThe real math and real mistakes behind small multifamilyArbitrage: Buying properties together and selling them separatelyThe short-term to long-term rental conversion strategyHow to structure GP partnerships using the brain, hammer, hunter, and money frameworkCo-GP on a 500+ unit deal and what working with an institutional operator looks likeCincy Market Update:Cincinnati ranked number one rental market by Rent CafeBlackRock acquires Amazon's 588,000 sq ft same-day facility in Warren County for $61MNew Jersey firm Hillman Partners doubles down on Cincinnati office acquisitionsNew episodes every Monday.

In this episode, the tables turn as Ian Cruz interviews co-host Slocomb Reed, the founder of Three Little Pigs Property Management and a Cincinnati operator with over a decade of boots-on-the-ground experience in the market.Slocomb shares his full Cincinnati origin story, from landing in the city in 2011 after a year in Ecuador, to buying his first house hack in Over-the-Rhine in 2014 for $175,000 right before the neighborhood exploded, to scaling a vertically integrated real estate operation managing hundreds of units across Greater Cincinnati today.The conversation covers what makes Cincinnati uniquely difficult to underwrite from a spreadsheet alone, why the east side and west side divide is more nuanced than most outsiders assume, and the two most common mistakes investors make when entering this market. Slocomb also shares the story of representing BiggerPockets co-host Brandon Turner on a 24-unit acquisition in Cleves, Ohio, taking over distressed management months before close, and what that experience taught him about operational turnarounds.This episode is for anyone who wants to understand how a serious Cincinnati operator thinks about neighborhoods, partnerships, and the gap between what a deal looks like on paper and what it takes to actually execute it.

Cincinnati real estate investing is neighborhood-driven, yet most content about this market treats it as if it's uniform. In this inaugural episode of the Cincy REI Show, hosts Slocomb Reed and Ian Cruz explain why that disconnect inspired a podcast dedicated exclusively to investing in Greater Cincinnati.Slocomb shares his perspective as a long-time Cincinnati operator and investor. Ian brings the lens of an out-of-state investor who has scaled a portfolio locally from the Bay Area. Together, they outline the four core pillars of the show: Cincinnati neighborhood expertise, Cincinnati market knowledge, how real estate strategies actually play out in this city, and real stories from operating here, both the wins and the mistakes.This episode sets expectations for the show's approach: practical, experience-based, and hyper-local. The hosts explain why they won't slow down to teach generic real estate concepts and will instead focus on how those concepts intersect with Cincinnati's unique housing stock, tenant base, and market dynamics.If you invest in Cincinnati, are considering it from out of state, or want a grounded, realistic picture of what it actually takes to operate here, this is your starting point.