What advice do you have for a newbie other than “be patient”?

What advice do you have for a newbie other than “be patient”?

Rental Property Investor · Omaha, NE · Member since 2017 · 48 posts · 20 votes
My wife and I are in the process of acquiring our first single family rental. We selected an agent that has his own rentals so he understands our mind set. He also understands the rental and sales markets, and is even giving us his rental agreement that his company attorney wrote up. We have our spreadsheets, costs estimators, and my dad is a contractor, so if something needs fixed/flipped, we can get a good estimate on costs. The margins in our market are right about 1%, which are good however; we have placed 6 offers, 4 being asking price, and (close to) full closing, we have yet to get a property under contract. I do not “NEED” to get a great deal as I am looking to slowly build portfolio and hold the properties, but I am not going to overpay on a house. My agent knows this and based on this, has helped us formulate pretty competitive offers, we think. He has actually talked me out of a few houses, which I think was a great choice looking back. We are 20-25% down, conventional, closing anywhere between 21-30 days. Around the holidays, we are writing 30, but out lender has given us a green light of 21 days. Any advice or tips to find a property, other than “be patient”? FYI, with our price point ($120k-135k) it doesn’t really make sense to go with a hard money lender at 12-15%.
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Rental Property Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
7y

Interesting. Once again I’ll disagree with most. 

I’m not a big fan of patient. That’s for hospitals. I’m a fan of going as fast as I can. 

Think about it as if you were trying to build a billion dollar portfolio. How would you do it? Every year that passes makes it harder. 

Yeah. Forget being patient... Be dogged. Be tenacious. Be persistent. 

Good luck!

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  • Real Estate Agent · Sacramento, CA · Member since 2017 · 12 posts · 7 votes
    7y

    A couple of things I can think of right now:

      I picked this one up from,  Long Distance Real Estate Investing by David Greene. I don't have the book in front of me right now so I'm paraphrasing but, he mentions leveraging the network of the folks already working with you and offering incentives to those people. So, if your real estate agent works under a broker, or he happens to be one himself, you can offer an incentive to him and the people that he works with if they are sending you deals that meet your criteria. That way you have a team of people searching for you instead of just one person. 

    Another thing I picked up listening to Bigger Pockets podcast that I liked, was: go onto Craigslist and look for homes that are for rent. If you see things that are posted by someone who is obviously a mom and pop property management co./landlords, you can reach out and see if they are interested in selling.  (Their contact information may even be posted right there for you) Because so many people manage properties incorrectly, they get frustrated and may want a way out. Also considering that they are investors, there is an okay chance that they would sell if they hear the right number. 

    Those are what I could think of off the top of my head. I hope that helps!

  • Rental Property Investor · Omaha, NE · Member since 2017 · 48 posts · 20 votes
    7y
    @Alex Kenneth Swindell I really like the craigslist idea, I’ve been doing that to get in touch with wholesalers, and to get added to their buyers list, but it never dawned on me to use it a an e-door knocker. As for creating a team, I’ve been doing that slowly, by getting in touch with wholesalers and going to the REIA meeting.
  • Real Estate Agent · Sacramento, CA · Member since 2017 · 12 posts · 7 votes
    7y

    I hope it helped a bit! I'm just getting started and engulfing myself with as much knowledge as possible. I'd like to hear how things go for you! It sounds to me like your getting really close. Congrats on the progress you've made so far! 

  • Real Estate Broker · Vero Beach, FL · Member since 2018 · 79 posts · 36 votes
    7y

    You could go down to your local county clerk of court and ask the friendly government employee there to give you record of recent eviction notices declared. With this information you could create a list of local landlords (whom may not be very thrilled about being a landlord at that moment) … Call them to provide a solution to their problem by offering to purchase their property. If they agree, you will likely get a fair deal since you are an investor as well. Good Luck!

  • Real Estate Agent · Cupertino, CA · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    7y

    Ask your realtor what is the sold/asked ratio is and how many offers were made on the ones submitted. In our area things slowed down since spring. Instead of 15 offers sold for 125% ratio most sellers are reviewing just a few taking longer. Sold/asked ratio is just 104%.  I can often get the offer accepted on first if not second try without writing tons of offers.  Often mine was not the highest but sellers will accept mine. So you need to understand why after that many tries sellers are not taking your offer seriously. It may be your terms especially your father can determine the repair/upgrade cost.

  • Honolulu, HI · Member since 2017 · 247 posts · 315 votes
    7y

    be patient...

  • Rental Property Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    7y

    Interesting. Once again I’ll disagree with most. 

    I’m not a big fan of patient. That’s for hospitals. I’m a fan of going as fast as I can. 

    Think about it as if you were trying to build a billion dollar portfolio. How would you do it? Every year that passes makes it harder. 

    Yeah. Forget being patient... Be dogged. Be tenacious. Be persistent. 

    Good luck!

  • Rental Property Investor · Omaha, NE · Member since 2017 · 48 posts · 20 votes
    7y

    Update!

    We just got under contract. Its a beautiful turn key. I began looking at properties that were on the MLS for a long time. The property was for sale at 140K. They then dropped it to 132K. I got it under contract at 126K, with them paying 1K in closing. And will rent for 1%. It is a 3/1 with a small detached garage, and a parking pad for 2 more cars, and should appraise at 135ish.

    After 1 year, we plan on adding in a half bath, add a backsplash, and granite countertops, and refinance.  It should appraise at 155ish (if not more).  We will then take the equity, and pull money out and put it towards another property in 12-18 months. 

    Thank you to everyone with the suggestions.  I will be saving a lot of those ideas when we get our next property!

  • Mike D'ArrigoPro Member
    Turn key provider · San Jose, CA · Member since 2010 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y

    @Tony Cimino other than price and a fast close, all you can do is to have no contingencies in your offer which I wouldn't recommend. I don't know your market so I'm don't know if there are any turn key companies there but that's an alternative you might want to consider. You'd only be competing with other investors then rather than owner occupants that are more likely to bid prices up.

  • Rental Property Investor · Omaha, NE · Member since 2017 · 48 posts · 20 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Mike D'Arrigo:

    @Tony Cimino other than price and a fast close, all you can do is to have no contingencies in your offer which I wouldn't recommend. I don't know your market so I'm don't know if there are any turn key companies there but that's an alternative you might want to consider. You'd only be competing with other investors then rather than owner occupants that are more likely to bid prices up.

    We tried that with a few homes that were sold within 18 months.  We are a conventional loan, but I got the green light for a 21 day close.  I also didn't request a warranty, seller closing, or even an inspection, fully knowing that the previous buyer already had it inspected.  We lost that property to a cash offer, after there were 23 offers.

    We offered on another home and offered, with the understanding/promise that nothing would be requested to be fixed.  That property is still sitting empty, after already being on the market for over 60 days.  They wouldn't come down $4K to close the deal.

    In my market I found that properties that are priced too high sit for a long time.  However;  when they drop the price, if its not at least a 10K drop, it is still probably outside any new buyers.  The house we bought was at 140K, but only dropped to 132K.  If they would have dropped to 129K, they would have dropped into the home buyers with a budget of $130K.  Doing this, you can buy below market value.

  • Mike D'ArrigoPro Member
    Turn key provider · San Jose, CA · Member since 2010 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Tony Cimino:
    Originally posted by @Mike D'Arrigo:

    @Tony Cimino other than price and a fast close, all you can do is to have no contingencies in your offer which I wouldn't recommend. I don't know your market so I'm don't know if there are any turn key companies there but that's an alternative you might want to consider. You'd only be competing with other investors then rather than owner occupants that are more likely to bid prices up.


    In my market I found that properties that are priced too high sit for a long time.  However;  when they drop the price, if its not at least a 10K drop, it is still probably outside any new buyers.  The house we bought was at 140K, but only dropped to 132K.  If they would have dropped to 129K, they would have dropped into the home buyers with a budget of $130K.  Doing this, you can buy below market value.

    Tony, If it's not selling at the higher price and requires a price reduction to attract any buyers, than you're not buying below market value. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Omaha, NE · Member since 2017 · 48 posts · 20 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Mike D'Arrigo:
    Originally posted by @Tony Cimino:
    Originally posted by @Mike D'Arrigo:

    @Tony Cimino other than price and a fast close, all you can do is to have no contingencies in your offer which I wouldn't recommend. I don't know your market so I'm don't know if there are any turn key companies there but that's an alternative you might want to consider. You'd only be competing with other investors then rather than owner occupants that are more likely to bid prices up.


    In my market I found that properties that are priced too high sit for a long time.  However;  when they drop the price, if its not at least a 10K drop, it is still probably outside any new buyers.  The house we bought was at 140K, but only dropped to 132K.  If they would have dropped to 129K, they would have dropped into the home buyers with a budget of $130K.  Doing this, you can buy below market value.

    Tony, If it's not selling at the higher price and requires a price reduction to attract any buyers, than you're not buying below market value. 

     

    Forgive me, since I am still trying to understand.  If the appraisal comes back at $136K, and I bought it for 126K, and houses are going for the appraised value, aren't buying below market value?  I am not saying I got a smoking deal, but I don't believe I overpaid on the property.

  • Mike D'ArrigoPro Member
    Turn key provider · San Jose, CA · Member since 2010 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y

    @Tony Cimino maybe I missed something. I thought that you were saying that properties weren't selling at asking price and only moving when discounted.

  • Rental Property Investor · Omaha, NE · Member since 2017 · 48 posts · 20 votes
    7y

    @Mike D'Arrigo. This one was not. But typically homes in the neighborhood are selling for 135K with multiple offers.

    This one was at 140, dropped to 132, a week before Xmas (I think I left that part out). It was over priced and the drop was not very strategic.

    With that said, this house should appraise mid 130’s. I got it at 126.

  • Investor · Jasper GA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    7y

    @Tony Cimino  Sounds like you have the professionals needed and a good start.

  • Mike D'ArrigoPro Member
    Turn key provider · San Jose, CA · Member since 2010 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y

    Sounds like a good deal Tony. Congratulations.

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