Need Advice And Your Opinions

Need Advice And Your Opinions

Member since 2025 · 71 posts · 27 votes

Hey guys, so I've posted in the past about some construction and marketing work I do. 

I shut down my construction business (finally got sick of net-30 pay terms and wrangling people) and I have been trying to figure out the next business to start. 

So, I'm currently sitting on a database of property managers, contractors, vendors, ect. I've built some systems where I can pull contractors, property managers, vendors, ect in any market in the US. 

Would that be of use to any of you? For example, lets say you have a property with a roof leak, I can get you in touch with 3-5 local roofers within probably 24 hours. 

I used this data to sell construction work and find subcontractors for my own business, but I'm tired of being a contractor and am seeing if the resources i've built can be repurposed. Anyway, let me know your thoughts or if you have any questions! 

1Reply
144 views

Most Popular Reply

China, ME · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
10mo
How about just buying an existing business?  In real estate or not.

There are plenty of fish in the sea!
See this reply in the discussion

12 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Lender · Chicago, IL · Member since 2021 · 424 posts · 145 votes
    11mo
    Quote from @Tony Bacon:

    Hey guys, so I've posted in the past about some construction and marketing work I do. 

    I shut down my construction business (finally got sick of net-30 pay terms and wrangling people) and I have been trying to figure out the next business to start. 

    So, I'm currently sitting on a database of property managers, contractors, vendors, ect. I've built some systems where I can pull contractors, property managers, vendors, ect in any market in the US. 

    Would that be of use to any of you? For example, lets say you have a property with a roof leak, I can get you in touch with 3-5 local roofers within probably 24 hours. 

    I used this data to sell construction work and find subcontractors for my own business, but I'm tired of being a contractor and am seeing if the resources i've built can be repurposed. Anyway, let me know your thoughts or if you have any questions! 


     You should be a lead generator for the business, not the other way around. Businesses will pay you for vetted leads (people with money, who have a definite timeline)

    • Member since 2025 · 71 posts · 27 votes
      11mo
      Quote from @Jason Taken:
      Quote from @Tony Bacon:

      Hey guys, so I've posted in the past about some construction and marketing work I do. 

      I shut down my construction business (finally got sick of net-30 pay terms and wrangling people) and I have been trying to figure out the next business to start. 

      So, I'm currently sitting on a database of property managers, contractors, vendors, ect. I've built some systems where I can pull contractors, property managers, vendors, ect in any market in the US. 

      Would that be of use to any of you? For example, lets say you have a property with a roof leak, I can get you in touch with 3-5 local roofers within probably 24 hours. 

      I used this data to sell construction work and find subcontractors for my own business, but I'm tired of being a contractor and am seeing if the resources i've built can be repurposed. Anyway, let me know your thoughts or if you have any questions! 


       You should be a lead generator for the business, not the other way around. Businesses will pay you for vetted leads (people with money, who have a definite timeline)

      Yes, yes I know, "just sell leads bro". I really only have commercial data which most contractors aren't really interested in. 

      And, I've tossed the idea around but dealing with churn, arguing with people who can't close deals, and refunds really doesn't interest me. 

      I'm more interested in providing the data sets. 
    • Lender · Chicago, IL · Member since 2021 · 424 posts · 145 votes
      11mo
      Quote from @Tony Bacon:
      Quote from @Jason Taken:
      Quote from @Tony Bacon:

      Hey guys, so I've posted in the past about some construction and marketing work I do. 

      I shut down my construction business (finally got sick of net-30 pay terms and wrangling people) and I have been trying to figure out the next business to start. 

      So, I'm currently sitting on a database of property managers, contractors, vendors, ect. I've built some systems where I can pull contractors, property managers, vendors, ect in any market in the US. 

      Would that be of use to any of you? For example, lets say you have a property with a roof leak, I can get you in touch with 3-5 local roofers within probably 24 hours. 

      I used this data to sell construction work and find subcontractors for my own business, but I'm tired of being a contractor and am seeing if the resources i've built can be repurposed. Anyway, let me know your thoughts or if you have any questions! 


       You should be a lead generator for the business, not the other way around. Businesses will pay you for vetted leads (people with money, who have a definite timeline)

      Yes, yes I know, "just sell leads bro". I really only have commercial data which most contractors aren't really interested in. 

      And, I've tossed the idea around but dealing with churn, arguing with people who can't close deals, and refunds really doesn't interest me. 

      I'm more interested in providing the data sets. 

       To each their own. How is what you're offering any different than google maps though? 

    • Member since 2025 · 71 posts · 27 votes
      11mo
      Quote from @Jason Taken:
      Quote from @Tony Bacon:
      Quote from @Jason Taken:
      Quote from @Tony Bacon:

      Hey guys, so I've posted in the past about some construction and marketing work I do. 

      I shut down my construction business (finally got sick of net-30 pay terms and wrangling people) and I have been trying to figure out the next business to start. 

      So, I'm currently sitting on a database of property managers, contractors, vendors, ect. I've built some systems where I can pull contractors, property managers, vendors, ect in any market in the US. 

      Would that be of use to any of you? For example, lets say you have a property with a roof leak, I can get you in touch with 3-5 local roofers within probably 24 hours. 

      I used this data to sell construction work and find subcontractors for my own business, but I'm tired of being a contractor and am seeing if the resources i've built can be repurposed. Anyway, let me know your thoughts or if you have any questions! 


       You should be a lead generator for the business, not the other way around. Businesses will pay you for vetted leads (people with money, who have a definite timeline)

      Yes, yes I know, "just sell leads bro". I really only have commercial data which most contractors aren't really interested in. 

      And, I've tossed the idea around but dealing with churn, arguing with people who can't close deals, and refunds really doesn't interest me. 

      I'm more interested in providing the data sets. 

       To each their own. How is what you're offering any different than google maps though? 

      I have a data set of over 10,000 property managers, the buildings they manage, average rents, and contact info from property managers up to CEO's of management companies, a list of new developments in process and the GC's who are building them along with the budgets and contact info. For vendors, I have about 9,000 contacts currently, owner names, business addresses and licensing info. 

      Technically, you could spend 400 hours on google maps aggregating all the contractors but with property managers and building/construction info. you wouldn't have access to this, you'd need to search through local permit boards to find it. 

  • Investor · Get yourself trained before doing something inadvisable. · Member since 2024 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11mo
    Quote from @Tony Bacon:

    Hey guys, so I've posted in the past about some construction and marketing work I do. 

    I shut down my construction business (finally got sick of net-30 pay terms and wrangling people) and I have been trying to figure out the next business to start. 

    So, I'm currently sitting on a database of property managers, contractors, vendors, ect. I've built some systems where I can pull contractors, property managers, vendors, ect in any market in the US. 

    Would that be of use to any of you? For example, lets say you have a property with a roof leak, I can get you in touch with 3-5 local roofers within probably 24 hours. 

    I used this data to sell construction work and find subcontractors for my own business, but I'm tired of being a contractor and am seeing if the resources i've built can be repurposed. Anyway, let me know your thoughts or if you have any questions! 

    Data is pretty readily available these days. I started before the internet :-)
    Anyway, data won't make you big bucks these days. But owning properties with creative financing will. It's a price point issue. You can't sell enough data fast enough, to match one good property purchase. Here's an example. I have a lot of others. But, you'll get the idea. 
    Or, do them simultaneously.

    • Member since 2025 · 71 posts · 27 votes
      11mo
      Quote from @Ken M.:
      Quote from @Tony Bacon:

      Hey guys, so I've posted in the past about some construction and marketing work I do. 

      I shut down my construction business (finally got sick of net-30 pay terms and wrangling people) and I have been trying to figure out the next business to start. 

      So, I'm currently sitting on a database of property managers, contractors, vendors, ect. I've built some systems where I can pull contractors, property managers, vendors, ect in any market in the US. 

      Would that be of use to any of you? For example, lets say you have a property with a roof leak, I can get you in touch with 3-5 local roofers within probably 24 hours. 

      I used this data to sell construction work and find subcontractors for my own business, but I'm tired of being a contractor and am seeing if the resources i've built can be repurposed. Anyway, let me know your thoughts or if you have any questions! 

      Data is pretty readily available these days. I started before the internet :-)
      Anyway, data won't make you big bucks these days. But owning properties with creative financing will. It's a price point issue. You can't sell enough data fast enough, to match one good property purchase. Here's an example. I have a lot of others. But, you'll get the idea. 
      Or, do them simultaneously.

      Are you new? Buying an "Off Market" property with "Subject To" and "Wraps" & Selling "Lease / Option"

      When buying a property to cash flow, you need to know what your expenses are. The following is one I actually purchased in Phoenix that was a pre-foreclosure. The seller and I negotiated the terms. I did not offer a number to him, he told me what he needed. This first portion is the end result. The following portions are how we got there. Click on images to enlarge.

      The house was not suitable for the MLS. The seller had waited too long to fix the problem and just wanted out. He said he needed $10,000 so he could move back to his home state. So, this is how we put the deal together.

      First, you determine ARV (After Repair Value) so you can see if this one is actually worth buying. In this case it’s worth $245,00 fixed up.,(ARV).

      You enter the Blue Numbers only, the rest are calculated. Enter the ARV (it's MLS value after it's all fixed up) on line 23, you get that number from looking at "comps". On line 24 you enter the payoff amount. We’ll take care of the arrears in a minute.

      We always go through Escrow and Record, so we need to account for those costs. We Record because it’s the right thing to do and we want to know about any actions that come up against the property. Some people say don’t Record because of the Due On Sale clause, or to use a Land Trust to defeat the DOS which is bad information. If a lender wants to enforce a Due On Sale, a Land Trust violates the DOS anyway so it is ineffective in stopping the Due On Sale call.

      Line 35 is always negotiable, but the seller needs enough to rent an apartment and move their belongs or they will become squatters which causes serious problems. There will be closing costs.

      And of course, since this is a pre-foreclosure, the arrears have to be brought current.

      Sometimes, a property will have a second loan or lien. Usually those can stay in place, but sometimes you have to pay those to buy the property. You can get the payoff amount from the lender. There is a specific process for doing that properly. If you are new, I would have someone help you with the process.

      So, on this property, I paid line 37 $13,628 (which included $10,000 to the seller & closing costs $3,628), brought the loan current $10,597 line 48, took over the 2nd loan of $11,592 and took over the main mortgage of $118,145. I paid $153,862 and got a $245,000 property. But, I didn't need all $153,862, I only needed $24,225 to do so.

      When you are new, looking for lenders & considering Fix & Flip, BRRRR, or rental, as a buyer, learn to ask the owner/seller to be one of your private lenders with creative financing. This works in Southern California (CA), AZ, WA, and GA & TX. Slight variations work elsewhere.


      On the data being less ROI positive these days I totally agree. I have been sitting here for three years with thousands of data points thinking to myself "is this worth anything" and generally speaking it's not.

      My goal is to get back into rental properties (I owned a few like 8 years ago but I sold them because I was going to "start a construction business and make more money so I can buy bigger ones"). Well, 8 years later all I got running a construction business is bad credit, more stress lines, and a really, really strong distaste for the industry. 

      I'm shutting down my current business (commercial painting) and looking at getting into something new, so I've been looking at the resources I have. I have a few contractors in my market though who have actually expressed interest in the property manager lists - a lot of contractors want to work in commercial work (until they realize all the paperwork invovled, lol) but it seems to be something people want. 


      Anyway, I have 3 years of LLC income so I can qualify for buying something but I need a new business to bring in more money, so I can actually put money down. The construction business usually did 200-300k/year so it made decent money, but I wrote so much stuff off my effective take home was only like 20-40k/year so I'm looking for a new business that's less insane with random expenses, labor, materials, etc so I can stabalize and pay taxes more...


      Anyway, will probably end up in some kind of marketing/sales role. I always did all my own marketing and sales and always had too much work for myself, so it's the one lane I'm best at. 

      Also, great point on property break down, the one benefit I do have getting back into it is that I was a GC for almost 10 years and can do repairs at probably 30% of what an investor hiring one can (I know sub crews and how to order materials at cost so I can skip most markups) but, right now, I just need more stable income before I get back into it. 

    • Investor · Get yourself trained before doing something inadvisable. · Member since 2024 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
      11mo
      Quote from @Tony Bacon:
      Quote from @Ken M.:
      Quote from @Tony Bacon:

      Hey guys, so I've posted in the past about some construction and marketing work I do. 

      I shut down my construction business (finally got sick of net-30 pay terms and wrangling people) and I have been trying to figure out the next business to start. 

      So, I'm currently sitting on a database of property managers, contractors, vendors, ect. I've built some systems where I can pull contractors, property managers, vendors, ect in any market in the US. 

      Would that be of use to any of you? For example, lets say you have a property with a roof leak, I can get you in touch with 3-5 local roofers within probably 24 hours. 

      I used this data to sell construction work and find subcontractors for my own business, but I'm tired of being a contractor and am seeing if the resources i've built can be repurposed. Anyway, let me know your thoughts or if you have any questions! 

      Data is pretty readily available these days. I started before the internet :-)
      Anyway, data won't make you big bucks these days. But owning properties with creative financing will. It's a price point issue. You can't sell enough data fast enough, to match one good property purchase. Here's an example. I have a lot of others. But, you'll get the idea. 
      Or, do them simultaneously.

      Are you new? Buying an "Off Market" property with "Subject To" and "Wraps" & Selling "Lease / Option"

      When buying a property to cash flow, you need to know what your expenses are. The following is one I actually purchased in Phoenix that was a pre-foreclosure. The seller and I negotiated the terms. I did not offer a number to him, he told me what he needed. This first portion is the end result. The following portions are how we got there. Click on images to enlarge.

      The house was not suitable for the MLS. The seller had waited too long to fix the problem and just wanted out. He said he needed $10,000 so he could move back to his home state. So, this is how we put the deal together.

      First, you determine ARV (After Repair Value) so you can see if this one is actually worth buying. In this case it’s worth $245,00 fixed up.,(ARV).

      You enter the Blue Numbers only, the rest are calculated. Enter the ARV (it's MLS value after it's all fixed up) on line 23, you get that number from looking at "comps". On line 24 you enter the payoff amount. We’ll take care of the arrears in a minute.

      We always go through Escrow and Record, so we need to account for those costs. We Record because it’s the right thing to do and we want to know about any actions that come up against the property. Some people say don’t Record because of the Due On Sale clause, or to use a Land Trust to defeat the DOS which is bad information. If a lender wants to enforce a Due On Sale, a Land Trust violates the DOS anyway so it is ineffective in stopping the Due On Sale call.

      Line 35 is always negotiable, but the seller needs enough to rent an apartment and move their belongs or they will become squatters which causes serious problems. There will be closing costs.

      And of course, since this is a pre-foreclosure, the arrears have to be brought current.

      Sometimes, a property will have a second loan or lien. Usually those can stay in place, but sometimes you have to pay those to buy the property. You can get the payoff amount from the lender. There is a specific process for doing that properly. If you are new, I would have someone help you with the process.

      So, on this property, I paid line 37 $13,628 (which included $10,000 to the seller & closing costs $3,628), brought the loan current $10,597 line 48, took over the 2nd loan of $11,592 and took over the main mortgage of $118,145. I paid $153,862 and got a $245,000 property. But, I didn't need all $153,862, I only needed $24,225 to do so.

      When you are new, looking for lenders & considering Fix & Flip, BRRRR, or rental, as a buyer, learn to ask the owner/seller to be one of your private lenders with creative financing. This works in Southern California (CA), AZ, WA, and GA & TX. Slight variations work elsewhere.


      On the data being less ROI positive these days I totally agree. I have been sitting here for three years with thousands of data points thinking to myself "is this worth anything" and generally speaking it's not.

      My goal is to get back into rental properties (I owned a few like 8 years ago but I sold them because I was going to "start a construction business and make more money so I can buy bigger ones"). Well, 8 years later all I got running a construction business is bad credit, more stress lines, and a really, really strong distaste for the industry. 

      I'm shutting down my current business (commercial painting) and looking at getting into something new, so I've been looking at the resources I have. I have a few contractors in my market though who have actually expressed interest in the property manager lists - a lot of contractors want to work in commercial work (until they realize all the paperwork invovled, lol) but it seems to be something people want. 


      Anyway, I have 3 years of LLC income so I can qualify for buying something but I need a new business to bring in more money, so I can actually put money down. The construction business usually did 200-300k/year so it made decent money, but I wrote so much stuff off my effective take home was only like 20-40k/year so I'm looking for a new business that's less insane with random expenses, labor, materials, etc so I can stabalize and pay taxes more...


      Anyway, will probably end up in some kind of marketing/sales role. I always did all my own marketing and sales and always had too much work for myself, so it's the one lane I'm best at. 

      Also, great point on property break down, the one benefit I do have getting back into it is that I was a GC for almost 10 years and can do repairs at probably 30% of what an investor hiring one can (I know sub crews and how to order materials at cost so I can skip most markups) but, right now, I just need more stable income before I get back into it. 

      Your Comment: "all I got running a construction business is bad credit"
      Bad credit doesn't matter, it isn't checked in the creative financing techniques I mentioned. 
      Send me a DM, and I'll explain. Click on the link -> then on MESSAGE
      https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/kenm286

  • Michael SmytheBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Metro Detroit · Member since 2023 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    11mo

    Doesn't Angi List and several other online services already provide this?

    Logical Property Management4.9446 Reviews
    • Member since 2025 · 71 posts · 27 votes
      11mo
      Quote from @Michael Smythe:

      Doesn't Angi List and several other online services already provide this?


       Yeah, but they are a terrible company. Whenever you "request a contractor" they actually charge up to 9 contractors at a time to talk to you. Plus, they only list contractors who sign-up for and pay for their services. 

      Also, fun fact, Angie's "contractors" aren't "their" contractors at all. They are mostly independent small guys who pay $100-$125 per "lead" just to compete with a bunch of other guys for the same leads. 

  • China, ME · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    10mo
    How about just buying an existing business?  In real estate or not.

    There are plenty of fish in the sea!
    • Member since 2025 · 71 posts · 27 votes
      10mo
      Quote from @Charlie MacPherson:
      How about just buying an existing business?  In real estate or not.

      There are plenty of fish in the sea!
      The business broker thinks I should buy an existing business? ...surprising... =) 

      I have looked into this though, I had some opportunities in the past actually to purchase some businesses. I actually worked with a business broker for around two years - I was debating packaging and selling my construction business, but ultimately I just want to get out of the industry and the level of effort required to prep a business for sale was just more hassle than I wanted to go through. At least with a construction business. The revenue and systems required to package it for an actual sale and remove the "key man" problem was just not super attractive to me. I'm burned out on the industry. 
  • China, ME · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    10mo
    I'm trying hard to avoid self-promotion, but yes, I'm a business broker - after many years in real estate!

    I look at the ROI of business that are on the market.  Just like buying a 3-plex, some offers allow you to make money with them.  Others are squeezing every last cent out of their investment, leaving you with the scraps.

    It seems to me that many "buyers" are looking for hands-off, passive investing.  Those opportunities are truly few and far between. 

    If I were buying ANY business, I'd want to keep a very close watch on it, especially if it's a cash-handling business.  (Don't ask me how I know that!)

    There are lots of decent businesses on the market.  Generally, you can finance with an SBA loan.  Think prime + 2% with 10% down and a 10-year term.  Bricks and mortar parts of the loan can often be done with an SBA 504.  Generally Prime -2% with a 25 year term.

    I have one business listed now where the sellers are taking home $840,000, year after year.  Can you say the same for a duplex that you're breaking your back to rehab?

    That doesn't mean that there are really bad business to buy.  Like a toddler at a urinal, you have to stay on your toes. 

    Run your numbers.  Be pessimistic about them.  Run your worst case scenario.  If the number still work, maybe you should look deeper.
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.