All Forum Posts by: Bennie Leija

All Coast Inspection LLC

COVID has been a event in our lives that I hope we never go through again. I am sorry if this impacted you related to health and if you lost a loved one. Since money is temporary.

We basically shut down the economy to a stand still and now that we are cranking the economy open and there are things that we need to consider as risk.
For me the lumber costs more and the lack of resources to deliver impacted me. 
The same for my doors, windows, brick all took more time and drove my cost up. 
I was exactly 2 pallets short of finishing a new build in Sugarland. I bought all that my vendor materials had during this time frame and unfortunately, I ran out of materials for my workers today.
I have been monitoring the materials and working with the vendors but they stated that with the economy opening up at this influx demand at once that it is taking longer to complete all the orders. 
I also heard that my competitors are having to slow down due to lack of materials.

I figured this is what’s going on our builds. 

Bennie

Joe - You are correct. I built 6 a couple years ago and set them on a skid. The client used them in West Texas during all the oil&gas work was going on. 
Very efficient and rental great income maker. 

Bennie 

Five tips

1-Never trust a wholesaler 

2-Never trust a realtor

3-Invest in hiring a solid inspector 

4-Create a scope of work document 

5-Take 2-3 contractors to site visit 

This is a business and your money 

Bennie 

Hey Jobin

I believe our area has just released new flood zones. Make sure you are looking at the most recent. 
The extension you will need to get with city and see what the guidelines are. The city is very flexible.

Install french drains or some type of drainage system to slope the water away. 
I would elevate the structure but just me. 

Bennie 

@Auryana Faramarzi!

I build homes and sell them in that general area all the way through the Pearland area. 
The further south from Richmond/Needville   area the medían income drops quite a bit. My opinion is trying to get >$1700/month will be tough. Not saying it can’t happen but prepare yourself for an escape plan. Homes there are selling for ~$200,000. 
Reach-out to a local realtor in that area and ask to provide actual data. Especially, related to rental properties on market.

Good luck!

Bennie 

Market is strange 

I just sold a same house, same design same sale costs in 26 days. Only difference was that one was 2 acres. So, I don’t think I’m over priced. 
This one is 3.5 acres. More land but less trees.

Bennie 

Great responses guys!

I much appreciate the responses. I have learned that referrals are not always true and I need to vett the individuals/realtors out properly and better.

I have also learned that I need to breakdown my designs into a format spreadsheet report that captures all associated costs related to details in the beginning stages and not wait on my realtor to ask for the report. A less experience realtor won’t know. banks are also asking for the details. Especially since my full build projects are over $500k.

Bennie

I am frustrated with the work my realtor is presently doing. She is managing 2 of my properties ($900k and $700k). Under contract. 

 The reason I am disappointed is for 40 days we have had these 2 properties on market we are getting asked to leave because people want to see both homes (really good). So we are getting lots of streamline. 
Days pass on and on and ... I have to reach out to her and ask what were the results of the homesite visits. 
I expect my realtor to be proactive and provide this report through email, text or just a voicemail. 
Then she states that individuals want a detailed report of these builds, this should of been asked in the beginning stages. This takes time (2days). Not 40 days into the market. 

Is this normal in today’s business? Are realtors more focused on their own revenue instead of customer satisfaction.

Bennie 

On a safety aspect I would personally want to install central AC & Heat. Or risk losing your asset. Space heaters are dangerous. My opinion. Some locations around Houston recommend that owners provide AC especially during the hot summers we have here.
Good luck

Bennie