Antoine Martel Review | Out-Of-State Section 8 Real Estate Investing Pros & Cons + Alternatives |IPPEI

Updated On 2022-11-14

Antoine Martel is a real estate fund manager and the owner of FlipSystem. He is also the co-founder of MartelTurnkey and Red Brick Equity. He got into real estate when his brother brought him and his father to a real estate seminar. A few months before college, his dad funded a deal he found in Memphis. By the end of 2017, they had 10 single-family homes.

In a YouTube video, Antoine Martel said: “Couple pros of investing in Section 8. Number one, guaranteeing rent by the federal government. Number two, these tenants tend to stay longer than a cash-paying tenant. Number three, you’re sometimes able to get higher rent.” Yes, you get more stable monthly rent income from Section 8 renters because the government pays 40%-70% of the total rent on time. But in my opinion, it’s still up to the renter and administrative office if they pay on time. Out-of-state Section 8 real estate investing, as what Antoine Martel teaches, is like running in the Boston Marathon where every mile requires a new permission slip. Every inspection, payment, and approval has to go through the local housing authority. That means paperwork delays, endless red tape, and inspectors nitpicking over tiny cosmetic flaws. You can lose months of rent waiting for reapproval or repairs over something as small as a loose outlet cover. Plus, if the tenant violates the program rules, you can lose the subsidy mid-lease. Some housing authorities delay payments for weeks or months due to administrative backlog.

In this Antoine Martel review, we dive into Antoine’s background and the investment methods that propelled him to success. We talk about his real estate businesses, like MartelTurnkey, FlipSystem, and more. Finally, we compare how feasible out-of-state Section 8 real estate investing is over local lead generation.

Who is Antoine Martel?

Antoine Martel was born in Toronto, Canada, and moved with his family to San Francisco, California, in 2010. After moving to Los Angeles in 2015 for college, he studied entrepreneurship at Loyola Marymount University.

As a kid, he sold plums to neighbors and candy and soda at school. During high school, Antoine created his wholesaling ecommerce business, TRACKL3T, in which he sourced from Chinese manufacturers and sold over 6K bracelets on multiple marketplaces.

Venture Into Real Estate

Antoine got addicted to real estate investment and started building networks on BiggerPockets . In 2017, they started selling the properties to have the funds to buy more. This was the start of MartelTurnkey.They now flip around 20 houses a month.

He started Shockwave Trucking LLC in late 2020 with his dad and a couple of investors. The company quickly ran into problems and was not as successful as expected. Since then, Antoine has focused exclusively on real estate and created MartelInvest and FlipSystem. Antoine is also available for mentorship calls at $199 for 30 minutes or $299 for 1 hour.

Antoine is the host of his podcast , “A Millennial’s Guide to Real Estate Investing,” and the author of “A Millennial’s Guide to Investing in Cash Flowing Rental Properties.” He has 118K followers on his verified Instagram account and 42.3K followers on TikTok. Antoine is in a relationship with successful actress and singer Soma Chhaya Bhatia , who also works as the director of sales for FlipSystem*.*Antoine also teaches how to become a Section 8 landlord on his YouTube channel.

MartelTurnkey Review

MartelTurnkey, under the umbrella company MartelZ, is a full service turnkey rental company. They buy houses, renovate, rent them out, and hire a property management company before listing it for sale. The service also helps clients with financing, insurance, and management.

The listings are mostly in the states of Ohio, Michigan, and Tennessee. These properties are all in good neighborhoods.

martel turnkey review

What are the Pros & Cons of MartelTurnkey?

Pros	Cons
You will purchase a cash flowing rental property, which means you can start earning immediately.	While you can visit the property in person, it is discouraged as to not disturb the tenant.
Their markets are primarily in the Midwest and upper South, which have lower pricing.	Your options are limited to their preferred market.
If you wish to replace the management company, they can recommend some to you.	There could be unforeseen issues with the property that can appear in the long term.
They have lenders available to recommend for financing.

What Do People Say About MartelTurnkey?

On the huge real estate forum BiggerPockets, you’ll find a mix of reviews of MartelTurnkey from people who worked with them, including clients, moneylenders, and management.

martel turnkey review

FlipSystem Review

FlipSystem is Antoine’s training course that comes with a customer relationship management (CRM). The training and coaching program teaches you the step-by-step process of investing in real estate using various exit strategies.

The CRM was in development for 7 years before it was released. It allows you to automate your business as much as possible without the need to hire anyone else.

What are the Pros & Cons of FlipSystem CRM?

Pros	Cons
CRM that allows automation without hiring anyone.	No price transparency.
One-on-one mentorship and weekly group coaching.	The whole "done-for-you" approach to the offer makes it sound too good to be true.
Access to a network of investors to acquire funding.

Price	The price would depend on the CRM package you chose.
Refund Policy	30 day money-back guarantee.

What Do You Get With FlipSystem?

Step-by-step training course that teaches the systems and processes used by Antoine.
In-house acquisitions team that find on market and off market deals, and pocket listings from personal connections. You can pick deals on your CRM.
Access to partnered investors to fund your deals.
Depending on the package you chose, the CRM can include options which allow you to automate your business without the need to hire anyone else.
Phone and email scripts. Offering memorandum templates that help give credibility to your business.Joint-venture deal templates.
Unlimited one-on-one coaching for 1 year.
2 group coaching classes per week.
Access to the exclusive Discord channel.

How Does FlipSystem Compare to Other Real Estate Programs?

Compared to other real estate programs, FlipSystem focuses more on systemization and automation through its CRM tool. Other programs emphasize negotiation or financing skills, while FlipSystem teaches operations, acquisitions, and investor networking. However, unlike programs that teach creative financing or wholesaling, FlipSystem requires more upfront capital since it prioritizes flipping and rental acquisition.

Are Clients of FlipSystem Successful?

FlipSystem gives a guarantee of success:

flipsystem review

I couldn’t find any outside reviews on the course or CRM, but here are some of there are many success stories on their site:

flipsystem review

Detroit Michigan Fix and Flip Deal Makes $15,000 Profit

Detroit FlipSystem Client Background and Story

Antoine Martel shows viewers a successful fix and flip deal in Detroit, Michigan by a FlipSystem student (he did disclose the name). The house has three bedrooms and one bath. It was bought for $70,000 and the student spent around $30,000 for renovation. After renovation, the house’s value was already $120,000 to $130,000. According to Antoine, the student could easily make a $20k to $30k profit off of this.

How The Flip is Doing Now

Antoine highlights the renovation’s quality with new floors, countertops, and cabinets while keeping some original features. The house is semi-finished basement and attic. The flipping process is expected to take about 90 days. Antoine emphasized that his student bought the property just 10 days after joining the program.

Top Lessons Learned on the Challenges Encountered

Efficient Flipping Process: The video demonstrates the efficiency of the flipping process under FlipSystem. It focuses on quick property acquisitions, renovation, and leasing or selling.
Balancing Budget and Quality: A key challenge addressed is managing the renovation budget while ensuring product quality. Strategic decisions were made based on what to upgrade versus what to keep.
Market Dynamics: Understanding the local real estate market, particularly in Detroit, is crucial for estimating the property’s value and potential profit.

What’s not mentioned in the video: This video did not mention the risks involved in a fix and flip business. House flipping is prone to market fluctuations which could lead to lower resale prices. Flipping projects are also prone to unexpected renovation costs which could reduce profit margins.

Martel Real Estate Token

MartelInvest created the Martel invest token to allow you to invest in real estate on the blockchain. At the cost of $50 per token, you will own a portion of a diversified portfolio. The target return is 12% which is a combination of cash flow and asset appreciation. It will typically take 1-4 years before your investment returns.

There are certain advantages to using cryptocurrency to invest in real estate. The transactions are instantaneous, with very low transaction fees. Transactions done on the blockchain are also transparent. This is a fairly new idea, and it is a long-term investment opportunity.

Other Martel Businesses

Apart from the 3 businesses mentioned, Antoine also has:

antoine martel review

Antoine’s father, Eric Martel, co-owns the family business, MartelTurnkey. Eric is an active real estate investor in both the United States and Canada and has his own real estate mentoring program called *Financial Freedom Fast Track.*He also hosts a podcast called “Break Away From the Rat Race.”

Where Can I Buy Antoine Martel’s Course?

You can buy Antoine Martel’s real estate course, FlipSystem, directly from the official website flipsystem.com. The program includes a CRM system, one-on-one coaching, and group classes. The pricing varies based on access level, but most students invest between $199 for mentorship calls and $10,000 for the full CRM and coaching package. Payment is handled through FlipSystem’s secure checkout, and additional coaching sessions are booked via Antoine’s official scheduling page.

What are the Pros & Cons of Section 8 Real Estate Investing?

Pros

Guaranteed Rent: The government pays a huge portion of your tenant’s rent. It is difficult for tenants to get their Section 8 application approved, so there is a big motivation for your tenant to pay their share of the rent.
Massive Demand: Tenants usually wait around 1-2 years for their Section 8 voucher because of the long waiting list. Section 8 landlords will always have tenants waiting.
No Need To Market: You don’t have to market your Section 8 property. The Section 8 rental board will post your property for you.
Longevity: Section 8 tenants stay for an average of 7 years
Higher Rent: To encourage landlords to put their property up for Section 8, the government offers 20–30% above the market rate.

Cons

Annual Inspections: Local housing authorities usually find something to fix on their inspections. While this may cost you to have it repaired, it may actually turn out to be a pro in terms of long-term maintenance.
Rent Cap: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will determine your property’s fair market rent (FMR). Your unit rent will be capped at the FMR and cannot increase it, even if the rent in the area skyrockets. You may not accept outside payment to add to rent increase if prices in the area increase.
No Security Deposit: The Section 8 program does not include a security deposit. You need to go directly to the tenant to get this. 1 month’s full rent as a down payment is the limit.
Delayed Early Income: The Section 8 office will not pay rent until after the tenant moves into the property, delaying the first month’s rent. After this initial delay, rent should flow in smoothly.

What are the Key Points to Look for in a Section 8 Market?

Median Home Price- The average cost of all houses purchased that month in the city.
Fair Market Price (FMR) - The amount that the Section 8 program will pay you.

Go to Zillow and search for the median home value in your city. Next, determine what county the city is in and Google its fair market rents. This is how you’ll find the profit margins for Section 8 rentals in your market. The Section 8 program will typically pay 75–85% of the FMR. Every city and country has a different pay rate.

You need to find the areas where you can buy the cheapest houses to maximize profits. Avoid areas with a high crime rate and rough neighborhoods. Finding property management with good Section 8 experience and a good relationship with Section 8 authorities will also benefit you.

What are the Best Cities for a Section 8 Investment?

In the Midwest, most Section 8 programs pay $1,000 to $1,600 in rent for 3-bedroom houses. 3-bedroom houses in many areas of the Midwest may cost anywhere from $65,000 to $85,000.

Antoine mentions 2 cities as his best picks for Section 8 rentals .

Cleveland, Ohio - The population decline has slowed down. Cleveland’s real estate market has been appreciating. Cleveland Clinic continuously improves roads, infrastructure, hospitals, and office space, which contributes to the rising real estate value.
Detroit, Michigan - best place to find pure cash flow deals. There are lots of locations near great areas. Section 8 housing is in high demand due to 30% of families falling below the 30% income line.

Single family rental property is recommended for beginners as they have lower risks and are cheaper with lower down payment. They are also easier to find financing for. Tenants also take care of the property and pay for all the utilities.

Check out Section 8 Secrets by Tom Cruz, who, compared to Antoine’s out-of-state approach, specializes in Section 8 rentals in your own local area. Alternatively, you can check out Pace Morby’s SubTo mentorship that specializes in subject-to and creative financing.

Can You Make Passive Income With Section 8 Investing?

Yes, you can make passive income with Section 8 investing if your property passes inspection and remains compliant. The federal government covers 40%–70% of tenant rent, providing stable monthly payments. However, delays from housing authorities and rent caps can hurt cash flow. Compared to digital models like local lead generation, Section 8 investing requires more oversight, maintenance, and risk management.

Is Buying Turnkey Properties Worth It in 2025?

Turnkey rentals remain viable in 2025 if you buy in undervalued, high-demand rental markets such as Cleveland or Detroit. They are convenient for investors who want immediate cash flow without managing renovations or tenants directly. But since properties are already marked up post-renovation, your returns are lower, averaging 6%–10% annually. If you prefer scalable, low-overhead assets with faster ROI, local lead generation provides higher margins with far fewer operational risks.

What are Other Real Estate Investing Courses Online?

The Science of Flipping by Justin Colby is a course on how to invest in 4 different types of properties in 4 different market segments.
Multifamily Mindset by Tyler Deveraux and Ryan Woolley specializes in multifamily properties that also provide funding for deals.
REI Game Changers by James Hodges and Alan Biel focuses on marketing in order to wholesale real estate properties quickly and with high returns.

Final Verdict: Are Antoine Martel’s Programs Worth It?

Antoine Martel’s programs are worth it for investors with capital, patience, and trusted management, but it’s far from hands-free or guaranteed passive income. FlipSystem and MartelTurnkey provide a solid introduction to out-of-state and Section 8 real estate investing, backed by his proven personal track record. His businesses are well-structured for passive investors who prefer turnkey rentals and funded deals, but they require substantial capital and carry the risks tied to property management and government-dependent rental systems.

The Section 8 model offers predictable rent and long-term tenants, yet it also comes with delays, inspection hassles, and strict compliance that can hurt cash flow. While the mentorship and CRM tools offer strong guidance, their success depends heavily on market timing, regional performance, and effective property oversight.

Is Than Local Lead Generation More Passive Than Out-of-State Section 8 Real Estate Investing?

In my experience, local lead generation is more passive than out-of-state Section 8 real estate investing because there are no inspectors, approvals, or red tape to choke progress. You build, rank, and monetize your sites at your own pace. Payments come directly from business owners, not slow-moving agencies. Unlike the risk of physical damage, vandalism, or eviction nightmares in Section 8 real estate, with local lead gen, your “property” is digital. Replacing a bad client is as easy as redirecting calls. You keep your income without dealing with human drama or property destruction like collecting royalties from a song where you still get paid when the music plays, but you don’t have to deal with egos, late rehearsals, or broken instruments. Plus, you set your own rates based on lead volume and client demand. As your sites generate more calls, you can increase monthly retainers or charge per lead. There’s no limit to scaling or profitability.

Like in real estate, you earn money by collecting rent. But with this model, you don’t have to own property or worry about procuring financing to purchase property. You create and rank a site on Google using free tactics such as SEO. You then rent this site to local businesses to generate leads for them.

conclusion local lead gen vs real estate investing

Why Local Lead Generation is My Top Biz Model Pick

Local lead generation is my top biz model pick because it creates reliable, recurring income by connecting real local demand with businesses that need consistent customers. I’ve been making lead gen sites for over 10 years. My site, Los Angeles Hardwood Flooring Company 806 S Santa Fe Ave Los Angeles, CA 90021 323-515-1366 https://losangelesflooringco.com/ drove 11 high-intent leads to my client’s business. I drove $27,360 worth of additional revenue, which paid me $2,736 in passive income.

This strategy is done in local areas, which means few competitors. You don’t have to worry much about updating your site, as it could stay ranked for years. Once you understand the process, you just have to repeat it to scale your business. With enough sites rented, local lead generation can create time and financial freedom for you.