All Forum Posts by: Amber Stout

Hi Kunal, sounds great. Have you decided on a meet up location? 

Hi! Outfast Property Management. The owner Jeremy is amazing: https://www.outfastpropertymanagement.com/

Hi Krish, I have a great electrician that has helped us rewire three houses! I'll PM you the contact. :)

Hi Nico! Welcome to BiggerPockets and congratulations on taking the exciting step into real estate investing! Pinellas County, FL, offers great opportunities for house hacking.

It's completely understandable to feel overwhelmed at the beginning of your journey, however that is normal and you're in the right place to learn and grow. As someone who started out as an investor myself, I was overwhelmed initial as well especially on my first deal. The first deal took us the longest to buy and every property we've purchased since has gotten easier and easier. 

Regarding your struggle with getting responses from listing agents, you're not alone in facing this challenge. In competitive markets like Pinellas County, agents can be inundated with inquiries. Persistence is key here. It may help in working with an agent who specializes in investments. If you need a couple resources for agents, I'd be happy to share the agents I work with (one being my husband). On the buy side, you don't pay an agent (the seller does) so why not have them work for you and also make sure you're getting into a good investment. 

Since you're aiming for a house hack, it's crucial to find a property that not only fits your criteria but also aligns with your long-term goals. Knowing what you're looking for and having a clear plan in place for what you want will surely help. 

BiggerPockets is an invaluable resource for learning from experienced investors, accessing valuable insights, and networking with like-minded individuals. Feel free to reach out! 

Hi Anya! Welcome to Florida - I am from NJ originally, so not too far from your home. I am an investor and buyer myself. I'd love to connect with you. 

Hi Craig! Welcome to Bigger Pockets! Any specific area that you're looking in for MF? 

I invest in MF as well and am a lender that specializes in working with investors. :) Great to meet you on here. 

Congrats on making the decision! My husband and I purchased our first duplex in 2019 and I remember we spent a year prior evaluating duplex properties as we didn't want to make a mistake. After purchasing several more small MF, the first was the hardest and then it gets easier and easier with each transaction. I suggest getting a solid "team" meaning get a realtor, lender, property manager that knows and invests in real estate themselves. They can teach you as you learn and look out for things you may miss. 

David's book is a great start! I would suggest knowing your numbers and analyzing a bunch of deals so you're comfortable with the underwriting. I have a great spreadsheet that I created and use to analyze deals I'd be happy to share. Bigger pockets has a great calculator as well! 

Hi Michele! I live in Saint Pete and am an investor and lender who specializes in working with investors. I'd love to connect - I'll send you a PM. 

Jorge, great post and topic. I personally think the barrier to entry of stocks is so much lower than real estate. The masses do it, it's more accepted and feels safer. 

With stocks, it's simple. I could go on a platform right now and with the click of a couple buttons, I'd be the owner of stock. There's low barrier to entry in terms of effort required to purchase stock and naturally more people are going to do it. 

When it comes to real estate, there's more effort required and it would take actual effort to close on a property. One would need to connect with a realtor, lender, there's inspections, there's needing a specific amount of capital to invest, tenants, property management, etc. 

In addition, I think there's more "control" with stocks in the sense that you can pull your money out whenever versus real estate, the money is not liquid. 

What are your thoughts? @Jorge Vazquez

Hi Declan! I love that you're looking at acquiring a multifamily property, that is how my husband and I got started as well. We started "house hacking" with a duplex in Saint Pete, then bought a triplex, another duplex, and now we're working on some development projects. It becomes addicting ;) and we decided to quit our W2's to help other's create financial freedom through real estate! 

That said, my husband @Rick Stout is an agent that primarily works with investors in the Saint Pete and Tampa market. I am a lender that primarily works with investors. We would love to connect and are happy to connect you to property managers in the area or any other contacts that may be valuable on your real estate journey.