New member in the Inland Empire (So Cal)

New member in the Inland Empire (So Cal)

Rental Property Investor · Redlands, CA · Member since 2014 · 36 posts · 14 votes
I'm so excited to post for the first time to BP, and to join this vibrant community! My name is Matt Sauls and I'm a newer investor living in Redlands, California. Home turf for me is the Inland Empire, Orange County and San Diego County. I have been in the real estate business for all of my adult working life. Different than most though, I have spent my career working in the new home building industry. I began in new home market research as a consultant and eventually moved directly into the home builder side. For the past decade I have led Marketing for a large regional West Coast home builder with direct management of 500-700 closings per year on average across Southern California. My previous and current investing experience has been primarily market timing speculation purchases of new homes during appreciation cycles. This works well in So Cal if timed correctly, and I'm fortunate to be directly on the pulse of market movement in my current job at all times. The more I've begun to goal plan for the next 20 years, I realize I'm ready for investment in long-term cash flow properties to help meet some of those goals. I believe there is still room in my goals for appropriate appreciation plays (new homes, fix/flip, spec build etc.) and I want to be open to these opportunistic strategies. I plan to continue to work my primary job, and know that my ultimate success will come from the people I meet and the teams I'll be able to build. I'm open to in-state, and out-of-state if the numbers and the strength of a local team can be achieved. Mostly, I'm excited to get started and join the conversation. There are many people to meet and I hope in no time I'll be helping others in the community as well. Please say hello, it will be great to meet you all!
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  • Karen MargraveBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Realtor, General Contractor, and Developer · Redding, CA · Member since 2009 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    12y

    @Matt Sauls Welcome to BP! That's quite an impressive resume you have! I've heard things are beginning to pick up over in the Inland Empire. Is it ready for new construction yet? Quite some time ago I ran across people with approved subdivisions wanting to sell or partner, not sure if they ever did it or not, but maybe some opportunities there for you.

    I know we have some other investors on here that are over in the IE. Have a great time on BP, there's people in every conceivable niche, and from all types of backgrounds, from service work to rocket scientists! See you on the forums.

  • Multi-family Investor · Southern, CA · Member since 2012 · 56 posts · 12 votes
    12y

    Welcome to the BP forums!

    Make sure to check out the podcast, search through the blogs and forums. Tons of great content.

    Good luck!

  • Rental Property Investor · Redlands, CA · Member since 2014 · 36 posts · 14 votes
    12y
    Karen Margrave great to meet you and thanks for the kind words! Sales in new homes have been pretty vibrant in the Inland Empire for the last 12 months, with very quick appreciation in early 2013. Appreciation has slowed, but is still occurring. There aren't many developers producing new lots, but it is starting to happen out here again. Many companies were burned hard in the last cycle, so everyone is being cautious.
  • Rental Property Investor · Redlands, CA · Member since 2014 · 36 posts · 14 votes
    12y
    Karen Margrave great to meet you and thanks for the kind words! Sales in new homes have been pretty vibrant in the Inland Empire for the last 12 months, with very quick appreciation in early 2013. Appreciation has slowed, but is still occurring. There aren't many developers producing new lots, but it is starting to happen out here again. Many companies were burned hard in the last cycle, so everyone is being cautious. Swat K. Great to meet you as well!
  • Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 30k+ posts · 20k+ votes
    12y

    Welcome to the site Matt

  • Rental Property Investor · Redlands, CA · Member since 2014 · 36 posts · 14 votes
    12y
    James Wise thank you and great to meet you!
  • Real Estate Coach · Venice Beach, CA · Member since 2012 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    12y

    Welcome Matt! I'm in LA. I have some family out in the Redlands and I actually just flew over there this past weekend en route to Joshua Tree for some film location scouting (I teach flying).

    Your experience sounds amazing and I have no doubt that you aren't someone I could learn a lot from! I would be really intrigued to learn more about the skill of how to play the appreciation game right as far as timing and such. I haven't done it at all, just stuck with cash-flowing properties for now, but am always curious about learning new tricks of the trade.

    I have always bought out-of-state and deal only with that. So if you have any questions on markets or property management or any other tricks, reach out anytime. Any idea what kind of returns you'd be looking for in a cash-flow property?

  • Investor · San Bernardino Mountains, CA · Member since 2014 · 37 posts · 20 votes
    12y

    @Matt Sauls Glad to see another IE resident joining BP! I have been looking around the IE area for a while now, especially in Redlands. It is a challenging area but things come along every now and then. I'd love to hear what you think about various areas in the IE.

  • Rental Property Investor · Redlands, CA · Member since 2014 · 36 posts · 14 votes
    12y

    @Ali Boone I've been on your great website a few times in the past few weeks and was looking forward to meeting you at some point soon! Thanks for reaching out. If you are ever coming through the area with "wheels down" in Redlands please reach out, I'd love to say hi. I'm often in El Segundo too, so not far from your home base in LA.

    It seems like I have the opposite of your background, and am dying to get around and work with people that have figured out the cash flow game. That's what I'm most after to learn.

    I've been to Dallas recently and visited some properties, but didn't quite find what I was looking for. The returns were a bit lower than I was looking for, but I know it's very hot there.

    I'd love to speak to you more about the markets you work in, and who the best local teams are. I've seen Houston, Indy (lived there for two years) and Atlanta on your website and am pretty open to most areas if the numbers and teams make sense. I'm primarily looking to finance 75-80% for now and would love COC returns of 10%, but that might be unrealistic in more of a turnkey experience.

    I'd be happy to share anything you want to know about the new home side of the business anytime. Great to meet you and look forward to future discussions.

  • Rental Property Investor · Redlands, CA · Member since 2014 · 36 posts · 14 votes
    12y

    @Jeff Zamora nice to meet you. Redlands is a bit pricey, but I think there are other tertiary areas of the Inland Empire that there are still possibilities. I like Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa, Yucaipa. More mainstream areas but bedroom communities like Menifee, Lake Elsinore and parts of Riverside. Those are all areas that are pretty clean and safe and have decent schools. I'm sure there are areas in the high desert that might pencil, but that area is not where my focus is initially. Where else have you been looking?

  • Engelo RumoraBusiness Member
    Investor · Toledo, OH · Member since 2013 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    12y

    Welcome to BP @Matt Sauls

    I have gone down the speculation road in the past loosing hundreds of thousands $$$ lollol

    Buy and hold high cashflow properties should be the foundations to any investors portfolio. Once a strong foundation is established then one can dabble with other strategies.

    Thanks and have a great day.

  • Real Estate Coach · Venice Beach, CA · Member since 2012 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    12y

    Hey! Just saw your PM so will respond there as well.

    Yes, Texas cities will always have lower cash flow than most (than most cash-flowing markets at least) because Texas property taxes are higher than most and the insurance there can be higher as well. Those two knock into the cash-flow pretty hard.

    Let's definitely have coffee sometime! Let me know when you are in El Segundo, or going to be there and we can see if the time will work. I fly a lot during the week which is my biggest holdup. And definitely, if I show up around the Redlands I'll let you know! But now that Big Bear is shut down for the season, I don't know if I'll be back out there :) (actually more of a frowny face...this year's drought did nothing good for my snowboarding!)

  • Memphis, TN · Member since 2013 · 969 posts · 524 votes
    12y

    Welcome to the site @Matt Sauls

    BP has a ton of tools to help you impeded in the site and a wealth of knowledge from all the investors on the site.. Everyone is willing to help at any time!!

  • Investor · Colorado Springs CO · Member since 2014 · 535 posts · 253 votes
    12y

    Welcome @Matt Sauls! I grew up in the IE (Riverside), now living in OC. Cash flow is huge for me too, and it will be tough to find in CA, generally speaking. Especially now that prices have started rebounding.

    Lots of great info here on BP, and you can search for different words on here to look up past articles and threads on different topics.

  • Investor, Real Estate Agent · San Juan Capistrano, CA · Member since 2013 · 150 posts · 65 votes
    12y

    Welcome @Matt Sauls ! I am an all cash buyer in so cal, buying mainly fix and flips. Maybe we can do a deal together sometime!

  • Real Estate Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2014 · 37 posts · 14 votes
    12y

    @Matt Sauls Hi Matt, welcome. I'm learning about the cash flow game as well, just wish I could find those opportunities within an hour of where I live, which would put me somewhere around the IE. In the meanwhile, looking into out of state opportunities as well. Sounds like you've got a good amount of experience (something I'm striving for) so I'm sure you'll be able to meet your goals. I'm sure people here could learn a lot from you as well. All the best...

  • Rental Property Investor · Redlands, CA · Member since 2014 · 36 posts · 14 votes
    12y

    @Derrick Craig , @Kimberly T. , @Bill Larsen , and @Account Closed thanks for the welcome. I'm already enjoying the connections I'm making. Good luck to you all!

  • Banker · Greater Phoenix · Member since 2013 · 32 posts · 5 votes
    12y

    @Matt Sauls

    Hi there welcome to BP. I live in Yucaipa and work in Redlands. Cash flowing properties in the area are few and far between. In yucaipa/calimesa there are many multi-unit properties but few rarely go to sale. We should connect sometime.

    I have been talking to a couple of people who do environmental studies for home builders. They sound like they are busy and building will continue in the area.

    I'm looking for my next property now and have not found anything that is worth moving on in the area.

    Thanks Brandon

  • Rental Property Investor · Redlands, CA · Member since 2014 · 36 posts · 14 votes
    12y
    Brandon Hughes great to meet another local! Feel free to PM me and we can keep in touch.
  • Real Estate Investor · Highland, CA · Member since 2013 · 4 posts · 2 votes
    12y

    Hi Matt, 

    My name is Mike Johnson with (Way Ya Go LLC. Real Estate Investors.) My partner Dr. Lyon and I are Real Estate Investors. We have a Investment company where we work together with Investors, Wholesalers, Buyers and people with distress properties.

    I am doing research into the "why" so many of the major home builders are gearing up to do  so much building in the IE. I agree with you that the Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa, & Yucaipa areas will be the best area for investment. Beaumont has started a three fase 5000 home development off of Highland Springs, so the Gold Rush is coming.

    In a Gold Rush it is the ones that sale the Picks & Shovels that really make out. I am working with some big money investors and would appreciate your expertise and ideas in putting this all together. I look forward to hearing from you.

    Mike

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