All Forum Posts by: Keith Belzner

I wholeheartedly agree that an MHIC license does not translate into quality but it does affect accountability. Many on craigslist are quality tradesmen doing work while slow or on the side. As long as you are researching and qualifying them and your ok dealing with unlicensed , uninsured there are many good people to be found. It comes down to what do you as a business owner want your name associated with?

To me it sounds like you hire unlicensed craigslist people. The reason I say this is almost 100% of contractors/ business men will not do the work with client supplied materials. They cannot warranty them. And if they do it means they are desperate for work and at that point you have total control of them. Just speaking from the trade side of it.

I am new into the real estate investing field but I know that when I do start into the rehabbing side I will be using licensed contractors only. May cost a bit more but I know with proper research of them they will be easier to work with.

Unless the job is small, under $1000, most contractors will want a down payment of some sort. Saying that you will not give a payment until work has started will have any good legitimate contractor telling to have a nice day and leaving. From a contractors perspective there are red flags that will chase good reliable ones away fast. Don't say " if you give me a discount/break/wholesale prices I can give you more work in the future"they know 9 out of 10 times this is b.s. and just away of trying to get things cheaper. If you want good pricing negotiate after you've given them multiple jobs and trust is built between you both.You can call for estimate for price comparison but if you do this multiple times to the same contractor without hiring them , they will stop talking to you because they know you are jerking them around. There are very good contractors out there but they will cost money to do the job right. Remember YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

In Maryland a licensed contractor must put his license number on everything he touches. Contracts , advertising, business cards, Everything. They can have insurance without a license but no license without insurance. As a former contractor myself there are a lot of procedures you must follow. Most people do not know a contract can only ask for 1/3 down payment. I would suggest going on the DLLR web site and looking at the laws for contractors.

Hi John, welcome from a new investor. I am in the Perryhall / Towson area and still putting together my business plan but I am always interested in meeting and talking with other investors.

As stated do not use mastic. Modified thinset will work fine. As for grouting if you have never used epoxy grout don't even try, clean up if not done right will cause you a thousand and one headaches. Have you completely waterproofed your backer? Make sure to use a non paper tape , mesh works best, and seal with your thinset. You do this just like drywall mudding.

Ive been in the trades for 20+ years with tile setting my main area. To do a good waterproofing I would suggest using the schluter system. They have amazing products. Its all that I use.

Being new and still working on acquiring my first property I am looking at my exit strategies. What is the better option (in your opinion) when it comes time to sell the property, transfer the rights to it or a double close or some other method.

On a side not does anyone in the Baltimore area have a good title company that they use for closings? Or is a better option a real estate attorney?

Thank you for all your help and information

Keith

Hello my name is Keith and after working in the trades for 20+ years I have decided to start my real estate investing business. I'm from Baltimore Maryland. My goals are to start out wholesaleing with the plan of rehabbing within 3-5 years. I look forward to talking with those who have the experience to help me along.

Keith Belzner

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