All Forum Posts by: Amika B.

Hi Maria! 

I used Aceable Agent to access the necessary courses to prep me for my exam. I really liked this course as it was self-paced and really informative. I felt very confident when I took my test and passed without a problem. 

I then chose eXp Realty as my brokerage because I am an investor myself and really didn't want to be pushed into all the regular meetings and having to be in an office regularly. I have two kids who I also homeschool so having flexibility was important. I also like that eXp has a ton of training opportunities and I have several mentors who I work with who have been very supportive and are also investors like me. I think it's a great brokerage if you want to work as an independent investor AS WELL AS having the opportunity to build leads and work in sales as well. 

I'm all about self-paced, independent work. If that's your vibe I can highly recommend the route I took. If you need something more hands on and traditional then I'd consider another brokerage. Good luck though! I'd love to talk more if you need any help! Feel free to message me if you have any questions!

@Remington Dayn-ryan I'm part of eXp and while I think it's great I don't believe you have access to MLS in their referral division. Make sure you clarify this before moving forward.

@Ben Unger you're definitely going to have to activate your agent status in order to have access to MLS. But I heard of a company called Broker Breakup. They have a yearly fee. Look into it. I'm not sure of the specifics but maybe it will be helpful? Otherwise, I'd just get in touch with a realtor in the area to help you run comps/numbers. Good luck!

I haven't heard any murmurs about the housing market taking a nosedive in the next year or so. In fact the market here in Houston has remained fairly stable. That being said, who knows what can happen in the world in the next few years! 

Have you considered house hacking? Purchasing a multi-family property living in one side and renting out the other? I think this would be your best bet in moving towards investment opportunities. You'll also receive the perks of home ownership and start building equity. 

Let me know if I can help in any way! I'm also in the Houston area!

Hi Emmanuel! My husband and I are also investors. If we had started earlier before having kids I would have done house hacking which is what I think would be a great idea for you and your wife. Whether you purchase a property with an ADU already built or if you undergo some rehab to create an ADU that would be a great place to start. Another option, and probably easier than building an ADU, is getting into a multi-family property and living in one side while renting the other out whether as a STR or LTR. There are plenty of opportunities out there especially if you're good at being creative!

Let me know if I can help in anyway! This is very exciting for you guys!

Where are you looking to buy? 

Hello all! 

I've been seeing a ton of listings for investment properties that already have tenants in place. Most of these properties have tenants through the end of June, some have long term tenants whose contracts ends soon but would like to renew with the new landlord, and others have longer term tenants into 2025. A few of these properties have potential for value add with the ability to raise rents with a little rehab prior to re-listing. Let me know if you might be interested in any of these properties! I'd be happy to do a showing or provide you with financials and further information. 

Have a great weekend!

When I first started out I wanted to do similar style investments: cosmetic rehab, easy flips/easy fix. Not only did I find the competition was so fierce here in Houston but the numbers were never good enough! 

Nowadays, the uglier the house the better!! Absolutely disgusting inside? Yes please! Complete gut job? Hell yeah! I'm not afraid of extensive projects. I've got a great contractor and I know that I can do the work for the right budget and in a decent amount of time. 

Find a great contractor and don't be afraid of having to put in more than just some new carpets and fresh paint! 

I agree with Evan... speak with your attorney or tax advisor. 

That being said I'd highly recommend starting an LLC as this limits your personal liability. It's just an added protection that I would not skip!

Absolutely!!! My only take on this market is know your numbers and MOVE FAST! It is incredibly competitive. 

Hi Natasha! I'm always looking to connect with investors in the area. Let me know if I can be of any help and I will keep an ear out for upcoming events for you!