All Forum Posts by: Vala Shahabi
Vala Shahabi has started 7 posts and replied 154 times.
Post: The logic behind long term tenants

- Real Estate Investor
- Santa Monica, CA
- Posts 199
- Votes 32
@Roy C. people want to live in $5M+ homes but only pay monthly....
Post: The New and Improved BiggerPockets Blog is Here!

- Real Estate Investor
- Santa Monica, CA
- Posts 199
- Votes 32
Nice @Joshua Dorkin looks good. What's the roadmap to get the rest of the site mobile friendly?
Post: New BP member - Southern CA

- Real Estate Investor
- Santa Monica, CA
- Posts 199
- Votes 32
Welcome to BP @Marc Parker
Post: The logic behind long term tenants

- Real Estate Investor
- Santa Monica, CA
- Posts 199
- Votes 32
Hey @Roy C. I know why they do it here in Los Angeles. The rent to price ratio of homes are in rental favor. Also, people in LA like to live above their means (show off) so they can afford to rent a much nicer house than they could actually own.
Some people pay $30k-$50k a month to rent a house!! crazy right?
Post: If you use Google Maps to check out a neighborhood you will enjoy this

- Real Estate Investor
- Santa Monica, CA
- Posts 199
- Votes 32
@Jonathan Quintanilla that would be a true test of "if you build it they will come"
Post: Investors, do you own your personal home or rent?

- Real Estate Investor
- Santa Monica, CA
- Posts 199
- Votes 32
I've heard similar strategies to people who run their own small business. I agree with you @Kyle B. I can only imagine it is to be more liquid. I disagree with it though.
The home I own today is part of my retirement strategy as it will be a rental once my wife and I outgrow it. My equity in it has grown significantly and when we're ready to buy a bigger home we can refi to take equity out to pay the down payment on our next home.
Post: Newbie in Los Angeles!

- Real Estate Investor
- Santa Monica, CA
- Posts 199
- Votes 32
Welcome @Sam Crawford to BP! Let me know if you need any help.
Post: Complete Noob From Oakland, CA

- Real Estate Investor
- Santa Monica, CA
- Posts 199
- Votes 32
Hey @Rodney Kuhl I did move forward on that Mapleton fall creek property I had pinged you about. :)
Post: New Member from Los Angeles, CA with an interest in real estate, tech, and lending

- Real Estate Investor
- Santa Monica, CA
- Posts 199
- Votes 32
Hey @Jorge Gomez welcome to BP! I am also from LA with a strong tech background and love for real estate. Would love to connect and learn more about your tech angle.
Post: Complete Noob From Oakland, CA

- Real Estate Investor
- Santa Monica, CA
- Posts 199
- Votes 32
Hey @Paul Lewis welcome to BP! I'm going through that right now in a new market Indianapolis. Feel free to connect with me if you want to hear my experience but my suggestion is don't rush the acquisition process just to close fast and get one under your belt. @Andrew Fingado is spot on by making sure the neighborhood is solid. Neighborhood class varies from city to city and is subjective but If it's an up and coming neighborhood you want to make sure other homes on the block have already been fixed up and the neighborhood is actually turning around.
Also, make sure you get the property properly inspected by a reputable inspection company and have the seller fix any issues that come up. Make sure our Purchase agreement gives you an out should anything go wrong.
I too will soon be publishing a blog on my own personal experience of everything I did from A to Z.
Best of luck!