All Forum Posts by: Ashlee Hutson

Would you qualify for a 10% down vacation home loan? If so, $50-60K may be enough for you, especially if you find a property under $500k that is furnished. 

Hi @Dalton N Green, I'd be happy to help you! I'm in commercial real estate in Houston. 

Hi @Jay Ben, as Bjorn said, you improve the units and common areas. Here are some possible ways to do that in the units:

New paint and flooring in units

Upgraded appliances, countertops, doorknobs, ceiling fans in the rooms (if desirable in the location you are investing in)

For common areas:

Fresh paint on the exterior

Adding paid covered/assigned parking

Adding detached garages that you can change more for with possibly some storage units that you would also charge for

Dog park

Adding small fenced yards to some ground units if it makes sense in the complex and charging more for those units

Adding package lockers

I hope these few ideas help! Also, it would be a good idea to go to other complexes in the area and see what their amenities look like. You would not want to over renovate for the area. 

Hi @Mahad Williams, I’d be happy to jump on a call with you. I sent you a DM. 

It's better to be outside of Houston-proper anyway, especially when you are unfamiliar with the area. It's easier to determine the class of the neighborhood in the suburbs vs the city because things can change from street to street. 

It's better to be outside of Houston-proper anyway, especially when you are unfamiliar with the area. It's easier to determine the class of the neighborhood in the suburbs vs the city because things can change from street to street. 

 @Edward Adams, @Eliott Elias is correct. But keep in mind, those are primarily class D with some areas as class C at best. 

Hi Joseph, certain properties seem to draw in the snowbirds more than others and I personally haven't found a good way to connect with the snowbirds (also, my STRs probably wouldn't be their first choice). As Luke said, it works well with small properties and properties that are waterfront (If you are investing near the water). You would definitely want a lease in place.