All Forum Posts by: Andrew W.

@Bowen Taylor Payson

I always look at demographics. I find answering the simple question of whether or not the town, city or location is growing or not, then looking at the rate and the trend to be very powerful. I will not invest in towns that are shrinking- full stop.

Agree with an earlier poster it sure looks like efflorescence, which is kind of a salt that is pulled out of masonry and other walls by water evaporating on the surface - very common in older basements - not a super serious issue, but evidence of a moisture problem.   I'd look to see if there is any water running onto the front of the wall or at the grade and make adjustments there first.   Then I'd scrape it off and hit it (paint the wall) with Drylock or similar.

Great tips on the materials - one on paint is a very good one - I use the same semi-gloss beige color for any room I can find.   If you can't think of more on your list please keep them coming.   An obvious one from me is to use Craigslist for all appliances.   

Cody - depends on the work - but if it is building or roofing - I have a recommendation of a guy who just finished a rebuild of back stairs at a duplex I own in Appleton.   Message me and I will pass on his contact details privately.

Yes - I think there's a couple of learnings I can share. 

First the obvious, something I missed and really should not have.   It was the second investment property that I had purchased and for various reasons I was in a rush to close.   There was a small disclosure of an issue in the sales contract, but I will admit to glossing over it in signing the electronic papers (the electronic form of signing itself through its extreme convenience can make this easy to do ... so don't!).    The disclosure mentioned the installation of a secondary drain field and the fact that the city was soon planning to connect the entire neighborhood up to city sewers (at some point ... whatever that means!).     I had no real feel for what the comment "secondary drain field" meant at the time.   Suffice to say now that I'll treat any septic related disclosure with caution.

This was a sale by the owner and I turned it into a rental.   So I never really had a feel for how the house's systems behaved.    Long story short is that in this case "secondary drain field" meant major problems and sewerage back-ups into the house became a huge and I thought never ending nightmare.   About the only solution I had, while I waited for the promised city connect was regular (every 3 weeks or so) pumping of the septic tank and a jerry rigged grey water system for things like laundry.

While this was a costly nightmare on the positive side I learned the value of city relationships.   This was through a 6 month letter writing campaign up to and including the city project managers, engineers, city managers themselves and the major.    At the end of it (let's say if you do this thoughtfully and persistently) I did get action and my house was expedited as the very first connect made as they proceeded with the final parts of this relevant city infrastructure project.

Message on its way - thanks Derek.

Hi folks -  I am looking for a commercial agent to work with in the Fox Valley area (Brown/ Outagamie & maybe upper Winnebago Counties).

I'm now starting the hunt for a small mixed-use commercial or multifamily that will meet the next phase of my RE goals.

Anyone out there who has done a similar purchase recently and who can make a recommendation?

Local knowledge and know-how is key - obviously!

Very many thanks

Looking for a commercial agent to work with in the Fox Valley area (Brown/ Outagamie & upper Winnebago Counties).    

Looking for small mixed-use commercial or multifamily.  

Anyone out there who has done similar and can make a recommendation?  

Local knowledge and know-how is key - obviously.

Many thanks!

Hi guys - I am a recently retired NY Banker - settled in South Florida and diversifying my investments into real estate for passive income purposes.   Grateful if anyone would send me a message recommending a great CPA with a real estate and tax background.   Preferably close to the Plantation/ Fort Lauderdale area.   Many thanks!

Guys - just wanted a quick bit of advice.    I just wrapped-up my working career.   I am fairly asset rich and fortunately will not need to work for someone else again.     My net-worth outside of my Florida personal residence (which I own free and clear) is over $3 million.    I am a skilled stock market investor and have significant cash and access to cash and besides cash can also draw on a pension at anytime I want (currently the pension is $34k p.a. but will grow by $2k p.a. each year I defer drawing on it).     I have no major expenses or debts, besides normal living expenses.    My question is that with my resources (largely cash and liquid investments) how difficult will it be to bring stand-alone property investments (triplexes, fourplexes and larger MF) for financing to local banks in South Florida?   I'd like to diversify into property investment for the challenge and personal interest and to simply diversify my assets.   Thanks in advance.