The Investor’s Playbook Podcast: Inside Akron’s Rental Property Market

What makes Akron, Ohio one of the most underrated markets for long-term real estate investing? In this episode, John Blackburn and Nate Hall are joined by Steve Yoak, one of the largest single-family home buyers and turnkey providers in the Akron-Canton market. Steve shares how he went from teacher and rental property investor to building a vertically integrated real estate business focused on acquiring, renovating, and managing high-quality investment properties. Drawing from both his personal investing experience and years of operating in Northeast Ohio, he explains why Akron continues to offer strong opportunities for long-term wealth building. The conversation explores what makes Akron an attractive market, from affordable entry prices and strong rent-to-price ratios to investor-friendly policies, stable employment, and growing infrastructure. Steve also provides an inside look at his acquisition process, renovation standards, property management philosophy, and why replacing major mechanical systems before selling a property helps investors avoid costly surprises down the road. Whether you’re evaluating turnkey investing for the first time or looking to diversify your rental portfolio in a stable Midwest market, this episode offers practical insights into what creates long-term success in real estate investing. Valuable Timestamps: 00:30 – From Teacher to Full-Time Real Estate Investor 02:12 – Why Akron Is a Great Rental Property Market 04:10 – Akron’s Growth and Long-Term Outlook 06:04 – The Employers Driving Rental Demand 06:44 – Why Great Property Management Matters 08:22 – How Steve Finds Investment Properties 10:06 – Renovation Standards That Protect Investors 12:34 – Leasing Strategies That Minimize Vacancy 14:15 – Building a Better Property Management Experience 17:45 – The Ideal Turnkey Investor 20:04 – The Four Profit Centers of Rental Properties 22:39 – Advice for First-Time Out-of-State Investors 26:26 – Final Thoughts and Next Steps Connect With Turnkey Property Pros Website: https://turnkeyproppro.com/S2_EP5