Why Dayton?

Dayton, Ohio, also known as ‘Gem City’, was once considered the ‘Silicon Valley’ of its time. Intellectuals and inventor’s fruitfulness cultivated a rich culture of innovation and prosperity for fellow citizens.

Legendary thinkers such as the Wright Brothers (inventors of the world's first successful airplane), John W. Stoddard (who competed with Henry Ford manufacturing the highest quality motor cars with powerful engines) and Charles F. Kettering (holder of 186 patents, founder of Delco, and head of research at General Motors for 27 years) changed the course of history, all from Gem City.

The most ‘patents per capita’ ever recorded in history were produced here in Dayton, Ohio. ‘The Golden Era,’ was a time when Dayton thrived. Entrepreneurs found success in startups funded by investors, resulting in bright ideas, grand eccentrics, innovative inventors and consistent streams of capital.

Dayton’s creations were ultimately the seeds of inspiration and creativity which changed the course of history, ie; the cash register, flight, the bicycle, first race car in the world, to name a few. Ideas combined with capital produced ‘good fruit’ for years to come.

What goes up must come down. The same rings true for Dayton and its economy.

The glorious Gem City and all its success came to a screeching halt in 1913 when the great Dayton flood washed away most of the city. Despite losing everything, the citizens of Dayton recovered over time. The 1950s were a great time for Dayton, the city thrived once again. Until shortly after in 1966, race riots wreaked havoc in the streets. A new tragedy to disrupt all recovery efforts. Not long after in the 1990s, Dayton was hit again, this time the Gem City faced a crippling drug epidemic. Local officials took extensive action to catch criminals that infiltrated poverty-stricken streets. Once vibrant neighborhoods transformed to tense, cold, caged communities. Gates strategically placed at the end of every other street, making it difficult to leave (get away) the neighborhood. (Typically areas considered historic.) The mentality of the community took a turn for the worse. ‘The Great White Flight,’ took place after 2008. Countless people lost everything during the market collapse and fled the city like refugees.

Moving Forward...

The problem Dayton faces is reminiscent of Detroit in 2008, only on a smaller scale. After 2008, GM, NCR, and other large manufacturing companies closed or relocated. As a result, thousands of abandoned properties riddled neighborhoods and communities. Structures that we once alive and full of energy and thriving with businesses, were boarded up and desolate, left to haunt the lingering community.

Dayton, Ohio is the land of suppressed genius and forgotten legends, who wait ever so patiently for their chance to shine.

Close to 800,000 people make up Greater Dayton’s population currently.

But space which previously was agriculture between Cincinnati and Dayton is shrinking.

Currently, of the 2 million people who live in this region, 60 percent of them live within 5 miles of the I-75 corridor.

In 2019 the federal government defines and re-defines metropolitan statistical areas for census purposes — and area business and government leaders said it’s possible the feds will unite Dayton and Cincinnati into a single, newly minted MSA.

The edges of the two cities have been drawing closer and increasingly, people who live in Dayton’s south suburbs work in Cincinnati or its northern environs.

In 2016/2017 we were buying properties (multi-units) for 10k per door on average. The properties we acquired were distressed, partially occupied, and in need of repositioning, renovations, and professional property management. We achieved a high rate of return due to low acquisition costs.

The market took off in 2017/2018, increasing demand and price. Now the average price per door is over $25,000 and higher. A market once full of stagnant listings and little to no activity transformed into an active buzzing market with increased value and sales price.

The rise of the northwest side of Dayton combined with the growth downtown has launched this area into one of the most sought after ‘emerging market’ in Ohio.

2019 Ohio set a new record for new business filings as the state bustles with hopeful entrepreneurs & visionaries aiming to grow their business.

Fuyao Glass America launched it’s biggest glass manufacturing company out of Moraine, Ohio, investing 600 million into an old GM manufacturing plant. The company employs close to 3,000 people and continues to grow. CareSource recently expanded in Downtown Dayton, building with its 6 story building, bringing 650 new jobs to the area. PSA airlines located at the Dayton International Airport recently invested in thrust growing airline, providing job opportunity to the local region. Kettering Health Network continues to grow and expand throughout the Miami Valley.

From distressed to emerging, Dayton, Ohio was a diamond in the rough pre-2016. Nowadays, Dayton has reclaimed its name as Gem City.