Tommy Harr: From Inspecting Homes to Doing 500+ Deals

Tommy Harr began his career as a home inspector in Columbus, Ohio, after earning a degree in finance. Today, he has completed over 500 real estate transactions and owns a portfolio of 110 properties. Specializing in multifamily homes, wholesaling, and affordable housing, Tommy’s journey highlights the potential of real estate investing. In this article, we will explore how he transitioned from earning $32K annually as a home inspector to becoming a successful investor.

Background and Early Beginnings

I live in cold Ohio, where mornings can be a brutal 10 degrees, and yet I still push myself to go for an outdoor run. Born and raised here with four siblings, I’ve always had a strong connection to this state.

My father has always been an entrepreneur, and after graduating from college, I decided to join him in his business as a home inspector.

Working as a home inspector gave me a huge advantage. I learned the ins and outs of properties and became familiar with the different pockets of our dynamic market. In Columbus, you’ll find houses built in the 1800s as well as brand-new models from 2025.

Each area comes with its own set of issues. Driving through and inspecting homes in those neighborhoods taught me a lot about the local market. That experience helped shape me into a strong investor.

Now, when I look at a property or a neighborhood, I instinctively know what to expect and how to approach it.

Overcoming Initial Challenges

It’s not easy to overcome losing $100,000 on your first investment deal, but I was listening to BiggerPockets podcasts. I listened to over 300 episodes, where successful people shared their experiences in this business. There was no doubt that investing in real estate was the right path, but I just didn’t do it right. That’s when I had to re-evaluate my strategy.

Your first deal shouldn’t be a mansion built in the 1900s, purchased for $400,000. You can’t expect to sell that property for $800,000 just because Ohio is considered an affordable market, and people are looking for inexpensive properties.

Which Mindset Helped You Overcome This Financial Loss?

Most people worry about what-ifs. What if you lose all your money?

I didn’t have a lot of money to begin with. My worst-case scenario was going back to my parent’s basement and starting over. And that’s exactly what I did. I had to start over.

What Inspired You to Start Investing in Real Estate?

My uncle put me on the path of real estate investing. He encouraged me to read Rich Dad, Poor Dad and also recommended BiggerPockets. Through that, I learned about wholesaling and flipping. What blew me away was that I had a degree in finance, yet I was never taught about leveraging debt by putting it into the right vehicle. I fell in love with the idea of passive income and wanted to own rental properties. (Today, I own 110 units.) I also wholesale at a high level, and we are flipping 20 houses at a time.

I combined my knowledge of construction, marketing, and the dream of owning more properties to fuel my growth.

Finding Deals in an Up-and-Coming, Competitive Market

Ohio, and specifically Columbus, was recently named the most popular housing market in the nation. Many investors are eager to invest in this market. So, how are you finding deals in this environment?

Columbus is not like Texas or Dallas, where you see the same-looking 1970s construction homes. There are micro-markets, and the homes vary greatly from one another. I was just talking to someone in Texas who was interested in an 1890s construction home. I told them, "You’re looking at a $200,000 rehab with a garage to sell that property."

That person was surprised, having never heard of a rehab being so pricey. But that’s Columbus, and you have to evaluate each property individually.

Market Trends in Columbus, Ohio

Ohio was once known for cheap homes and strong cash flow. However, Columbus is no longer considered cheap, with our average buying price now ranging from $150,000 to $200,000. Given the current interest rates, it has become an appreciation market. You can still think about the 1% rule, but it will be hard to rely on cash flow. Over the last few years, prices have risen significantly. There are also major job opportunities in the market, while the cost of living remains low.

Your Personal Favorite Quote

There is a quote by entrepreneur Andy Frisella, and it goes like this: “Don’t listen to your bitch voice.” The meaning is that success doesn’t happen overnight. At times, you will feel lazy. The voice in your head will stop you from working hard. Don’t listen to that voice. Continue your journey. Think about the Chinese bamboo tree. You plant the tree and see nothing for 5 years. Once the tree sprouts, it will be 90 feet tall within 5 weeks. That’s the same scenario with life. Real estate investors continue to work in silence for years before they see any result. I worked for 2–3 years before earning my first dollar as an investor. Your timeline could be different, but continue the work and you’ll eventually see success.