San Antonio, TX · Member since 2009 · 86 posts · 13 votes
Thanks to everyone for sharing their insight and advice. I'm a new investor and this site is of great help to me. I've read a lot about success stories...I was wondering if anyone would like to share the mistakes they made and what they learned from them? I'm not so much interested in generic issues but I'd really like to hear about specific issues.
Most common mistake which most of the new investors make is investing without any proper homework and forecasting of real estate trends in future. It is very necessary to properly forecast before investing in property for the sake of profitable investment.
Real Estate Investor · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2011 · 37 posts · 10 votes
15y
1. Waiting to try to understand and know everything before I started. - Just go to your network and get with some seasoned investors that you trust from your local REIA, develop your first strategy and exit and go for it.
2. Not having a solid plan as to what route I would take. - Again, ask for advise and partner with someone you trust from your local REIA. Ask them to evaluate your goals and their opinion of the plan you have chosen. - Or ask their thoughts of what your plan should be that would fit your means and goals for that time.
3. Having to use a calculator to see if doing my first rehab (my first real property investment ever) would be profitable enough. :mrgreen: There is an investor here at BP that says if he has to use a calculator, it is not a good enough deal. I now understand what he means. lol
From now on, I will just double the actual amount I figure rehab might be, and add a few other costs in my head. If I get the amount of profit I want from that and my costs are well below market value- I will consider it a great deal and one to go thru with.
I am getting so much out of everyone's learning experiences! Thank you all! :D
Multifamily Investor · Toledo, OH · Member since 2008 · 296 posts · 308 votes
15y
Originally posted by Jon Klaus:
Originally posted by Ryan Pyle:
My very first deal I bought from a wholesaler. I trusted his numbers...all of them. 8 years later I still own that house. It cash flows NEGATIVE $1,000 per month. Yes, that's per month. I call it my monthly tuition.
Ouch. What's your plan for this alligator?
Jon, at this point all I can do is ride it out. Luckily I can afford the hit.
To top off the negative cash flow, I am underwater on the property by about $100k. So there is no realistic or ethical way to sell it. Heck, I've only got about 22 years to go before it's paid off!
Real Estate Investor · Select a State · Member since 2010 · 79 posts · 17 votes
15y
Originally posted by Dvorah Kane:
3. Having to use a calculator to see if doing my first rehab (my first real property investment ever) would be profitable enough. :mrgreen: There is an investor here at BP that says if he has to use a calculator, it is not a good enough deal. I now understand what he means. lol
From now on, I will just double the actual amount I figure rehab might be, and add a few other costs in my head. If I get the amount of profit I want from that and my costs are well below market value- I will consider it a great deal and one to go thru with.
I am getting so much out of everyone's learning experiences! Thank you all! :D
Real Estate Investor · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2011 · 37 posts · 10 votes
15y
Silver - wish I could take credit, but I can't. lol Thank the man on this forum that always says this - that's where I learned it from - and it just makes darn good sense! :lol:
Ryan - WOW! I thought I had a pretty positive attitude, but I think you just beat me hands down with that comment! :mrgreen: Super attitude. And by the way, kudos on your integrity for not trying to pawn it off on an unsuspecting newbie. You're an awesome human being! :D
Investor · Middletown, NJ · Member since 2008 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
15y
1. Believing a tenant - never again! My first tenant taught me that lesson, and it has been reinforced several times by others. Bottom line, never feel sorry for a tenant because they will never feel sorry for you. I now begin the eviction process on day 5 if the rent isn't there along with the late fees. And I do enforce late fees, which I explain clearly when a new tenant signs the lease.
2. Buying a house that looks good but has an odd floor plan that doesn't work for most tenants.
I learned to separate the condition of a house with the functionality of it. Would I live here? For all my other rentals, the answer has been yes.
3. Not realizing the implications of having to get permits/inspections for the smallest things in a high end condo complex.
This one is still costing us money, as we are now 9 weeks past the purchase and are only halfway through the renovation. Any complex that has a 10 page description about renovations rule/regulations is to be avoided as a rental property.
4. As others have said, tenants are not your friends, they are your customers. Treat them well, but their hardships cannot be allowed to become yours. If they can't pay, they can't stay. Landlords aren't the bank. If the tenant can't borrow money from friends/family, why would you carry them?
Really agreed with the opinion that tenants are your customers and not your friends. It is the main problem that tenants are excusing a lot for not paying rents because of current economic crisis but it is straightforward that it they can't pay then they can't stay anymore.