Jon Stojan
Photo credit: Karim Naoum
The phrase “Section 8” is still attached to many misconceptions that lead some landlords to shun Section 8 tenants. Such incidents happen even in states where income-source-based discrimination is considered illegal. These misconceptions about Section 8 housing have overshadowed reality with an unfair picture. Karim Naoum, owner of the brand “Section 8 Karim,” is confidently changing the public perception of Section 8 tenants through his success with program participants at just 22.
Karim was only 17 when he started interning for the Section 8 program. This opportunity helped him develop a deeper understanding of the system early on. Later, he leveraged this knowledge and experience to build an impressive portfolio of Section 8 rentals.
Instead of running behind numbers, Karim has always focused on making the right impact. His efforts paid off as he now owns more than 100 Section 8 rentals, offering stable housing for many.
Photo credit: Karim Naoum
Contrary to popular belief, the average Section 8 tenant stays in a house for 7.5 years. For Section 8 tenants, the government often pays 10-30% above market rents. Highlighting this kind of stability with Section 8 tenants, Karim believes that this business model can withstand the economic downturn of another pandemic.
Despite his in-depth knowledge and fresh approach to Section 8, Karim has battled several hurdles to succeed. Starting his entrepreneurial journey at a young age and creating his own system that worked for scalability was his biggest challenge. He focused on building a team, though he was entirely out of state, to oversee his properties. This idea proved that real estate investment is possible and profitable even without being physically present.
Karim’s investment strategy involves purchasing single-family homes in landlord-friendly states. He does this with DSCR loans that consider the property’s rent as the eligibility criterion. This strategy has eased many barriers for Karim as he only invests $8–12k per deal. Sharing his knowledge of the Section 8 program, Karim wants people to know that they can negotiate the rent with Section 8. He also teaches others how to pass inspections and even do paperwork. His strategy has unveiled a new way of buying real estate out of state while being anonymous.
Photo credit: Karim Naoum
At just 22, Karim has already achieved notable milestones. He became the youngest Section 8 landlord in Louisiana, owning over 100 properties when he was 21. Through Karim’s mentorship, over 1,000 students have achieved a 92% success rate in their real estate ventures.
With bigger dreams for the future, Karim is planning to establish a Section 8 investment firm. He aspires to expand his investment portfolio to over $100 million in rentals within the next one to two years. He wants aspiring investors to know that they can buy properties completely out of state with guaranteed rents from the government. Debunking myths and misconceptions related to Section 8 tenants, Karim is setting an example where investors can start with as little as $8–12k and earn $500–800 per month with every property they own.
With his soaring career in real estate, Karim Naoum has exposed the hidden potential of Section 8 housing. He is not only destigmatizing Section 8 tenants but also showcasing the benefits to inspire a new generation of investors to explore this often-overlooked market.