All Forum Posts by: Jim Hogan

If you are looking to hang your license in the Malvern area.  PM me and I can tell you about my office and team leader at Berkshire Hathaway.  They serve my purpose well as an investor and an agent.

If you lived there what would you do? I️ would cut the tree down if I️ lived there or if it was my rental. It is only because I️ would not park there or want the lawsuit.

@Dan M.

I am a Realtor in Malvern and can help you with comps.

Interesting responses about big brokers.  I choose one of the biggest, Berkshire Hathaway, in my area they have the lowest fees.  My commission may not be as high but it works for my business model, which is similar to Emily's.  Emily go to open houses and ask the agents who they are with and why are they there.  You will find the right one this way.  Also, ask how it works to be on a team rather then by yourself.  It normally pays better commission.

@Ryan Dao.  Are you really 17???   I don't think there is a single person on here that would not help you in some way.  You are years ahead of all of us.  I believe your plan on going to school for business is the right plan.  Accounting basics and then some is top priority.  Take any class in real estate that is offered.  You already have the real estate passion so follow it.  If you end up with a degree or not does it matter to you.....   You already know your path is in real estate so go for it.  If you do go on to college and end up at Kutztown let me know.  I have a couple of student housing rentals  up there.  If you are interested in the Temple, U of P and Drexel area I may have some one for that area that would mentor you in rentals.  Don't listen to any of the nay sayers and follow your dreams in real estate.  You will have a few stumbles but you are young and have time on your side.   I am jealous that I did not start earlier.   I am sure many agree with me.

You will need to find a broker to hang your license.  Ask what the fees are when you interview the brokers?  Every broker is different and if you are only going to do it part time you maybe better off giving more commission then monthly charges.  I have my license with Berkshire Hathaway in the suburbs of Philly.  I have no monthly fees, but they take more in commissions probably then other brokerage.  It works for me since I only do it part time and mainly for my own personal flips.  When I was looking at others they expected more time and more fees.  Desk fees, copy fees, training fees and any other fee that they could make up.  Go to some open houses and talk to the agents about their office. Most agents will give you honest feed back on who to go with or stay away from..

Clarification on the 5% Reading transfer tax, the 5% is for the city and not the mailing address.  For example: Kenhorst and Exeter is listed as Reading for a mailing address but not for the transfer tax.  Make sure you check the closing sheet at settlement because if the title company is not in the Reading area they may miss it and charge you.  Luckily I caught mine before settlement.

I am curious on what part of the house is the slab connected to. Can you use it as a patio? Put some railings around it and call it done. Depends on location but I am picturing it in the back of the house hopefully off the kitchen.

Welcome to BP I am in Malvern and interested in what you have for wholesaling.  There is also a Reading Meetup too, that would be close to you.

My $0.02 is replace the windows that are not working and every year replace a couple of them.  You can tell the tenant that you want to replace all but the owners don't have it in the budget.  You are trying to upgrade and put money back into the house but the owners just don't have it.  The mortgage, taxes and insurances are barely be covering by their rent.  Make them sympathetic to you and the owners.