The Difference Between Working Remotely And Being In The Field

#EntrepreneurOfTheWeekOhadSolan | Post 4

The Difference Between Working Remotely And Being In The Field

After my previous trips to Jacksonville, I knew what to expect—and I came prepared. We booked a two-week trip to Pittsburgh, which honestly feels like a long weekend by U.S. standards. But we had a clear game plan: strengthen and expand our local team, get to know the neighborhoods on the ground, and meet as many people as possible.

Building the Right Team—Face to Face

The first thing we did was meet our existing team. And let me tell you—there’s a world of difference between talking to someone over the phone and sitting down with them in person. Some relationships got stronger, and others came to an end. We held back-to-back meetings until we finally locked in our dream team.

Knowing the Neighborhoods—For Real

Next, we wanted to truly understand the area—not just by looking at stats or outdated street photos online, but by physically being there. Driving through neighborhoods and talking to residents gave us a street-level view that data just can’t match. We discovered hidden-gem neighborhoods with massive potential—areas we would’ve dismissed without a second thought if we hadn’t seen them in person.

Listening to the Locals

One of the best things we did was connect with people who actually live there. We attended creative financing meetups, spoke with locals about how their neighborhoods have evolved (some were brutally honest—one even told us crime was “just part of daily life” in his area), and chatted with neighbors near properties that caught our eye.

Understanding a city through the eyes of its residents is invaluable. It helped us sharpen our instincts and approach the market smarter.

And Then… Opportunity Knocked

Just two days after we flew back home, our agent called us with a new opportunity—a property on Denniston Street. It had solid bones and only needed minor upgrades to really shine.

Here’s how the numbers broke down:

Purchase Price: $102K (they originally asked for $80K)

Renovation Cost: $32K

Estimated After Repair Value (ARV): $230K

Expected Rent: $2,200/month

Three days after submitting our offer, the agent called again. Out of 15 offers, they chose ours. Why? Because we were fast, professional, and had accurate numbers. Before we started coming to Pittsburgh, we’d seen deals like this come and go—but we could never close them. Now we can.

Mission: Accomplished

The goals of this trip were crystal clear—and we hit every single one of them.

Being on the ground made all the difference.