All Forum Posts by: Braden Smith

Thanks Kyle. I'll check it out.

Looking for a recommendation for an iPhone app to use when driving for dollars that will allow route tracking and saving all on one map. I used to use an app called Every Trail that did this, but it no longer exists. I have currently been using RouteTracker which works ok and saves the route, but it does not save them all to one map. Anyone have a better app to use?

Thanks for the input guys. 

@Steve Milford I looking for a mailing solution for my investment company. We wholesale and flip and are now also looking at getting into some buy and hold. I have a system for the realtor side of things, but it doesnt work for what I need for the investment company.

Im looking for an all in one type solution where I send them a list or spreadsheet and the provider handles the rest from there. I tell them what to send, at what frequency and they do the rest. 

For example, I want a 6 piece campaign that has one piece go out every 6 weeks. Each piece is different... first is a yellow letter, second is a postcard, third is a business letter, etc, etc, etc. 

I want a set it and forget it type service. 

@Charlie Brown I will look into that. Thanks!

Looking for suggestions on the most cost effective direct mail service provider. Would like one that allows for an automated campaign with any duration chosen. What do you recommend? 

@Mike Wood is spot on. It is generally not possible to live in one unit of a double/duplex and have the rent from the other side cover the expenses. If you buy one that needs repairs/renovations you can get it to where the rent will cover a large portion of the note and expenses though.

It is possible with a tri-plex or a 4-plex, but they are hard to come by. The demand for multifamily properties in our market has been huge in recent years.

Anyone have a suggestion for a good ipad app to use on site for a rehab estimator on a potential rehab?

I can give you a recommendation. Send me a PM and I'll get you a couple names to get bids from. You need to get a scope of work together and have each contractor bid on that same scope. If you just get a couple bids, each contractor will have different things in their estimate. If you have them bid the same scope they are all bidding the same thing. That way you're comparing apples to apples.

Hey @Eric M.. Updating the kitchen and bathrooms, as well as the layout can certainly increase the value, but you have to be cautious and be sure to not overdo it for the neighborhood. Each and every neighborhood has a maximum value where the price tops out. You never want to be the biggest and/or most expensive house in the neighborhood.

NOLA has a great rental market. If you are looking to buy rental properties I suggest multifamily properties in areas where you can get at least $1 per square foot if not more. 

Orleans parish has always been predominantly rentals as opposed to homeowners. Right now it is at about 53.1%. See here - http://www.towncharts.com/Louisiana/Housing/Orlean...

This also has some good info - http://www.datacenterresearch.org/data-resources/w...

I also agree with Jeff. Best of luck to you!

Hey @Eric M.. I am sorry to hear that. Your realtor should have provided you comps to justify what he was telling you and the offer should have been conditioned upon appraisal so that if the appraisal came back less than the contract price you could have asked the seller to reduce to that price or walk away from the deal. Unfortunately as Ryan mentioned there is not much else you can do besides what he suggested. 

We are expecting a strong real estate market here for the next few years, but things have softened a bit and appreciation on the Westbank is sluggish. Rent prices keep rising and that trend will continue for some time but they may not increase enough for what you need.

What condition is the house in? Any chance you could make some improvements at some point to increase the value?