Portland, OR · Member since 2008 · 10 posts · 0 votes
My wife Nancie and I are newbies from just south of Portland.
We've started our plan to become free from a paycheck and have read some books and taken a few classes, now it's time to act.
We've already learned quite a bit by cruising the forum and appreciate the diversity of opinions!
I'm an electrical trade instructor and Nancie homeschools our three children. I have a much steeper learning curve than Nancie, so I'll be spending a lot of time asking questions.
Real Estate Investor · Myrtle creek , OR · Member since 2008 · 343 posts · 13 votes
17y
Hi Topher, I'm also an Oregon investor. Welcome to B. P. What type of investing are you interested in, wholesaling, flipping, buy and hold? See you around the forums! Good luck in your endeavors. Jim
Portland, OR · Member since 2008 · 10 posts · 0 votes
17y
Hi Jim, we are very interested in buy and hold, however we are still open to other strategies. We still have a lot to learn. Do you have any projects in the Portland area?
Real Estate Investor · Myrtle creek , OR · Member since 2008 · 343 posts · 13 votes
17y
Topher, I can't make buy and hold work in the present Oregon market, I made money 3-5 years ago when appreciation was in the double digits. Today even with deep discounts you can't make the properties cash-flow properly. The appreciation in my area has been flat for the last three years. I now invest out of state. Jim
BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
17y
Topher -
Welcome to the site. I hope we can help you find real estate success!
Jim - Buy and hold investors are looking for cash-flow, not appreciation. I find it impossible to believe that there are no cash-flowing properties available in the entire state or Oregon. Am I the only one?
Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
17y
Joshua,
Not all buy and hold investors are looking for cash flow. I'm one that doesn't need or want the cash flow. I want more buy and hold, long term properties that are cash flow neutral currently and , that provide tax write off . It allows me to acquire more, which is my goal and method for creating more wealth.
Portland, OR · Member since 2008 · 10 posts · 0 votes
17y
Thank you for the welcome, Jim, Joshua and Rich.
My brother is currently using Rich's strategy of finding cash flow neutral properties, but he's been at it a long time. I'm looking at being more aggressive.
I'll keep the faith that there must be something here in Oregon for me. Anyone else having success in Oregon?
Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
17y
Topher.
1 clarification. I don't turn away from a property that has cash flow. However, I WON"t go after that as the goal and I'll NEVER pay more downpayment to generate cash flow.
Portland, OR · Member since 2008 · 10 posts · 0 votes
17y
That makes sense to me, it probably opens up more opportunities. Do you think it might be possible to use a larger down payment as a temporary measure to leverage more cash flow in the long run?
Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
17y
Try this example. Buy a $100K property with 10% down. Lets' assume it is cash flow neutral and rate is 7.5%. To increase cash flow to $100 per month on this example, you'd be required to put down an additional $14K. Or, you could take that $14k, buy another property for $100K at break even, and still have some of your 14K as reserve.
To me, I'd rather own 2 homes and enjoy the additional write off from having 2 homes.
Real Estate Investor · Myrtle creek , OR · Member since 2008 · 343 posts · 13 votes
17y
Joshua, I challenge anyone in the state of Oregon to post a cash flowing property that cash flows by the 50%, 2% rules, that they purchased in the last three years. I looked for three years. Come on Oregonians prove me wrong. Jim
Residential Real Estate Broker · Conroe, TX · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 43 votes
17y
Hey Topher,
Welcome to the group. I'm glad you joined.
Not to put a damper on things....but this thread is starting to get a little off track. Let's talk strategies and cash flowing Oregon properties in the forum.
Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
17y
Hi Dick,
This was not started as a strategy and cash flow thread. It is in the intro section which is what poster did. He asked questions about comparison methods of investing, and thats what he received. I don't see any replies that were off track from original intent. All answers and info are good, imo.
BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
17y
Rich - Dick is trying to help keep things on track. Please respect him and his wishes; he is a volunteer moderator and is here to help.
Topher - I'm guessing that you've seen some threads that talk about a "50% RULE." If you've read any of these threads, you'll note that this is not a hard and fast RULE purported by this website, but a guideline that some of its members use to determine a property that is guaranteed to cash-flow. A property doesn't have to meet the "50% rule" to be a cash-flowing property. Read some of the 50% threads and you'll see that.
If you guys want to continue to discuss this, lets take the conversation to another place, as Dick said.
Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
17y
Hi Josh.
I misread the post from Dick and apologize. I missed the word FORUM. I thought Dick was saying the thread should get back to cash flow and strategies. My bad and I stand corrected and apologize to Dick. He's very helpful on this board and appreciated by me and others. Sorry Dick.
Portland, OR · Member since 2008 · 10 posts · 0 votes
17y
I'm great with that, I sure appreciate the enthusiastic welcome!
Joshua-I just started a group called Northwest Strategies. I thought it would be good to open the conversation to all of the northwest states. I hope this is the right way to move this discussion.
Real Estate Investor · Vancouver, WA · Member since 2008 · 387 posts · 8 votes
17y
You know what, what matters is "is it possible to make very good money in oregon real estate investing"
Who cares whether a property cashflows or not. If you aren't making money in the portland metro area it is more due to your attitude or lack of knowledge/action than because of the area.