Top 5 Markets for Oklahoma Real Estate Investors in 2024

Real Estate investors from across the country are flocking towards investment properties in Oklahoma to build rental portfolios.  Oklahoma is a current favorite of real estate investors due to many factors including a strong economy, affordable prices and stable rents!  Easy Street Capital is proud to be a leading provider of investment property loans for real estate investors looking to build rental portfolios!

 

 

Oklahoma Property Loan Types

 

When it comes to real estate investing in Oklahoma, there are many markets and types of rental loans to choose from.  For investors that like to get their hands dirty, rehabbing run down properties, hard money renovation loans are a perfect choice!  These loans allow you to buy a property quickly and finance your rehab costs as well!  Once you are done, you can either “flip” the property for a quick profit or pursue the BRRRR Strategy by renting it out and then refinancing into a long-term, low-rate DSCR loan!

 

EasyFix                 EasyRent

 

Long-term DSCR Loans are also great for investing in turnkey rental properties.  Turnkey refers to properties that are rent-ready and require no renovations.  Move-in ready single family homes and fully furnished short term or medium term rentals are great for cash flow and price appreciation.  Most DSCR Loans are fixed rate for thirty years, locking you into a fixed interest rate for the long-term, while, if historical patterns continue, rents and appreciation increase steadily each year.  Bottom line, debt costs stay the same while cash flow increases!

 

 

Where To Invest In Real Estate In Oklahoma

 

Oklahoma is a favorite market for real estate investment properties because of the diverse geographic options.  There are large cities such as Oklahoma City and Tulsa with plenty of jobs and renters to fill up rental properties.  There are college towns such as Norman (University of Oklahoma) and Stillwater (Oklahoma State) that cater to student renters and frequent visitors.  Finally, there are hidden gem vacation areas such as Broken Bow and Lawton, perfect for short term rental and vacation rental investment properties!

 

 

Oklahoma City

 

Oklahoma City is the capital of Oklahoma and ranks in the top 20 of cities by population in the United States.  It has a very diversified economy with lots of jobs related to state government, healthcare and energy.  It has the headquarters of two Fortune 500 companies: Chesapeake Energy and Devon Energy.

 

With a booming economy spread between different industries, OKC is a favorite among real estate investors as renters flock to the city for jobs and fill up rental properties on long-term leases.  In addition to a steady base of long-term renters, Oklahoma City provides great opportunities for medium term rentals, perfect for traveling nurses and participants in the Oklahoma state legislature, which convenes annually for two-month periods.

 

Oklahoma city is also a great market for short term rentals, with vacation demand drivers including the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, numerous history museums centered around Native American culture and rodeos and stockyards.  OKC is known as the “Horse Show Capital of the World.”

 

 

Tulsa

 

Tulsa is the second-biggest city in Oklahoma and it’s metropolitan area exceeds over a million residents.  Situated on the Arkansas River at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, its considered the “cultural and arts center of Oklahoma.”  In addition to its many cultural attractions, it is headquarters to numerous oil and gas-related companies and a hub of the energy industry.

 

With a friendly business climate and affordable real estate, both investors and workers are flocking to Tulsa over the last several years.  Tulsa is a great market for real estate investors looking for steady cash flow and reliable returns.

 

 

Norman

 

Norman, Oklahoma, located approximately 20 miles south of Oklahoma City, is home to the flagship university in the state, The University of Oklahoma.  But its not just a college town.  Norman is the third largest city in the state with over 125,000 residents and is home to the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art.

 

Norman is a great market for real estate investors that have embraced a niche strategy, such as short term rentals or student housing.  The University of Oklahoma, home of the “Sooners,” boasts an enrollment of over 30,000 students.  While investment properties aimed at students can be a risky strategy, if done right, provides very lucrative returns.  Savvy investors select properties well-located near campus and that rent to reliable students can earn returns well beyond typically long-term rentals.

 

Norman is also an underrated favorite among short term rental investors looking to capitalize on specific events that draw in visitors.  The Oklahoma Sooners are typically a very strong team in football, basketball and baseball, and attract lots of visitors for gamedays over the course of their respective seasons.  In addition, with the school moving to the Southeastern Conference in 2024, the rabid fanbases of the schools in the SEC will likely heavily increase visitors for gamedays and push rental rates higher.  In addition to Sooner sports, Norman is home to the Norman Music Festival, the Norman Medieval Fair, the Chocolate Festival and Jazz in June, providing year-round demand drivers outside of sports.

 

 

Lawton

 

Lawton is the county seat of Comanche County and located in southwest Oklahoma.  It has a population just north of 90,000 making it a solid secondary market.  The city is close to Fort Sill Military Reservation, which employs over 5,000 full-time employees.

 

Lawton is a good market for investment properties with less competition than other better-known cities.  With a solid employment base and several demand drivers such as the Museum of the Great Plains and the Fort Sill Museum, Lawton is rich with history.  Extremely affordable real estate is perfect for real estate investors looking to build a big portfolio off the beaten path.

 

 

 

Broken Bow

 

Broken Bow, located in southeast Oklahoma, is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.  It features Beavers Bend State Park and the Hochatown State Park.  Broken Bow Lake offers a wide range of activities including fishing and boating.

 

A hidden gem in the Southwest, its no wonder that Broken Bow has become popular for Short Term Rental investors.  A great vacation destination for nearby families in Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas, rental rates and occupancies are solid.  Peak season is usually from March to October, which is longer and spread over a longer period than more seasonal investment areas such as beach or ski towns.

 

 

Ready to Get Started?

 

Ready to invest in real estate in Oklahoma?  Easy Street Capital is Oklahoma’s best provider of investment property loans for both hard money rehabs and long-term rental properties.

 

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