My Journey with Michigan Real Estate Investing: From Single-Family to Multifamily Investments
When I first got into real estate investing in Metro Detroit, I started small—buying decent single-family homes, fixing them up to increase their value, and riding the wave of appreciation. It was a great way to get my feet wet, but I quickly realized that if I wanted to build true wealth, I needed to scale up. That’s when I turned my focus to multifamily properties.
Watch this video to learn more about my switch from single-family to multifamily properties : Should You Start with Single Family or Multifamily Real Estate Investing?
Multifamily investing is where things get exciting. Instead of relying solely on market appreciation, I learned how to force appreciation—buying properties, improving them, raising rents, cutting expenses, and ultimately increasing their value. When valuation goes up, I have the option to sell for a profit and reinvest in an even bigger property.
Every piece of my real estate portfolio is a tool, not something I’m emotionally attached to. If I can sell four units to buy twelve, I’ll do it if the numbers make sense—because that increases my net worth, my cash flow, and my assets.
If you’re looking to get started with Michigan real estate investing, particularly with multifamily properties, I want to share some real-life lessons with you. Let’s look at some of the key things I’ve learned in my efforts to grow a successful real estate portfolio in Metro Detroit.
7 Tips to Help You Get Started with Michigan Real Estate Investing (or Anywhere Else)
1. Start Small, But Think Big
“You’re not going to get rich on two units—you WILL get experience, a taste of cash flow, realize the benefits of depreciation, and get your start in Michigan real estate investing.”
Many new real estate investors overthink their first deal. The truth is, you don’t need to hit a home run right away. What you need is experience.
Buying a duplex or a four-unit building can teach you how to manage tenants, handle maintenance, and understand cash flow. Once you have that foundation, scaling up becomes much easier.
Related Video: Why You Should Start SMALL with Real Estate Investing
2. Use Leverage to Your Advantage
“You don’t fear the debt when you trust the asset.”
I’ve never been afraid of leveraging other people’s money (OPM) to acquire properties. That’s because I trust my ability to find good deals.
Debt is only risky if you don’t understand the asset you’re buying. When you find the right multifamily property, make strategic improvements, and increase its value, you’re in control—not the bank.
Related Video: Multifamily Real Estate Investing: Underwriting a 12 Unit Apartment Deal
3. Look For Motivated Sellers, Not Just Off-Market Deals
“Instead of chasing off-market deals, chase motivated sellers.”
A great deal isn’t just about finding a property that no one else knows about. It’s about finding a seller who is truly motivated—someone who needs to sell due to financial hardship, partnership disputes, or property mismanagement, for example. These are the deals where you can negotiate better terms and create win-win scenarios.
4. Understand That Real Estate Is a People Business
“Real estate is easy. People are hard.”
The numbers on paper are the easy part. The challenging part? Dealing with tenants, contractors, property managers, and even business partners. If you can develop strong communication and leadership skills, you’ll have a huge advantage when it comes to Michigan real estate investing.
5. Build Confidence Through Action
“Confidence comes from DOING.”
Too many people get stuck in analysis paralysis, reading every book, watching every YouTube video, and never actually making a move.
The only way to truly learn how to get started with Michigan real estate investing is by doing it. Yes, you might make mistakes, but that’s how you grow. The more deals you do, the more confident you become.
Related Article: 5 Common Real Estate Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
6. Get Resourceful When Resources Are Limited
“When you lack resources, you have to get resourceful.”
I didn’t start out with unlimited capital, and chances are, you won’t either. But that doesn’t mean you can’t succeed.
Partnering with other investors, using creative financing strategies, and finding ways to add value without spending a fortune are all key skills to develop. If you’re committed, you’ll find a way to make it work.
7. The Power of Scaling: Trading Up for Bigger Properties
“Sometimes you just have to GET STARTED.”
One of the biggest mindset shifts I had was realizing that I wasn’t just buying properties—I was building a real estate portfolio.
As I mentioned earlier, it’s fine to get started with single-family properties. Learn how to grow and manage them. Then, move on to bigger properties—if that’s your goal.
I look at every property I own as a potential stepping stone to the next, bigger deal. If I can sell a four-unit building to buy a twelve-unit, I do it without hesitation—as long as the numbers make sense. This is how you build wealth in real estate—by constantly looking for opportunities to scale.
Related Video: Selling ALL of My Single Family Real Estate to Buy More Multifamily
Ready to Begin Your Journey with Michigan Real Estate Investing?
Michigan is full of incredible real estate opportunities, especially in the multifamily sector. The key is to start small, build confidence through action, leverage smart debt, and always look for ways to scale.
Real estate investing isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. But if you stay disciplined and committed, you can build a portfolio that provides financial freedom for years to come.
If you’re looking to get started with Michigan real estate investing, contact us today. I created The Stephan Group Brokerage to help investors find, analyze, and negotiate great deals, as well as operate their real estate portfolio here in Metro Detroit.
So what’s stopping you? Sometimes you just have to GET STARTED!
