All Forum Posts by: Brandon Johnson

Update to previous post - I found a highly recommended local cabinet shop that sounds like they will be the solution to my problems.  They are a huge business and currently working two shifts to meet demand.  Also their lead time is only 4 weeks for customers who are not existing clients.

@Jennifer T. I'm glad you're back!  At this very moment I may be feeling the most overwhelmed that I have since all this began and it all boils down to one thing - CABINETS!!!

I did not realize I was going to have to demo cabinets in every single one of these properties and now I don't know what the next step is in replacing kitchen and bathroom vanity cabinets.  I'm told the minimum lead time from most shops is six months minimum. 

 I have mostly builder grade all wood cabinets and would like to replace in kind. How do I go about that? It seems most of the cabinets shops locally specialize in custom built and very fancy cabinet designs. Should I call those guys anyway? I guess my next step is to go to Home Depot and figure out what they can offer.

I just realized that cabinets is probably the part of the house I know the least about and I need to get educated....fast!!

Any advice anyone can offer would be appreciated especially if you can recommend cabinet resources locally in Baton Rouge. I'm sure many of the local vendors are going to be swamped right now.

I know I can order online from a prefab company that will ship directly to the jobsite and I could go that route. I better get on Google and learn how to measure cabinets.

@Alex De Sousa

That is some great advice, although the part about raising the house is not entirely applicable to us.  I'm assuming most houses in your area are already on piers?  In our area, the majority of our houses are attached to a solid concrete slab and raising the home is neither a requirement nor is it really feasible.

A good article on the subject from our local rag:

Experts predict housing, population shifts in Baton Rouge after historic flooding http://www.theadvocate.com/louisiana_flood_2016/article_869a1806-6654-11e6-b4f5-17157281a229.html

More photos from Monday's paddle through my hood.

Flood pics:  Paddling up to my old house and my very first rental from the backyard.  Notice the water line that shows how high it was when it finally settled.  This was one of my better casualties.

Update:

Still working like a dog to get all the water soaked walls opened and exposed for drying, but we're almost done with that part.  

I'm pretty excited because I got my first flood damaged house under contract yesterday!

CALLING BATON ROUGE!!!!!!!!!!!

SEE YOU ALL AT THE TOP!!!!!!!!!

@Ralph Dicharry 

I'd almost say that Baton Rouge was a bigger sight to see today than it was while flooded.  I've never seen so many cars lining the streets and 10' tall piles of debris fronted nearly every house in flood stricken areas.  I went down several streets that you couldn't find a driveway to park in or a spot on the road.  It was unreal.  Looked like the biggest block parties of all time.

The folks around here did not waste a moment before spurring into action.  We kick a$$ and take names later in Louisana, that's for sure.

@Ralph Dicharry

Yes, I am ready to buy every flood/water/mold damaged property you can secure in Baton Rouge as long as the price is right and it's really worth my while.  In fact I decided today that I am going to put out all the "We Buy Houses" signs I have in my attic just waiting for a rainy day and do some of my own marketing.

I'm not going to pass up this opportunity if there are sellers in pain and we can alleviate their pain and pick up a deal in the process.  I'm struggling to manage my own properties cleanup at this very moment and wondering how I'm going to go back to work Monday, but regardless I will not miss this opportunity to buy and accumulated houses.

I FEAR NO MOLD!!!

OP, great question and I love the responses.  I was thinking the same thing as I got started in March of 2015 and I had meager goals of 5 houses in 3 years and 10 houses in 5 years.  Then I realized I set the bar too low for myself and that my goals were too easily achievable.  I found Grant Cardone and his book The 10X Rule after hearing his interview on the BP Podcast

Have you bothered to ask to go faster?  If that's what you desire, then ask yourself "Why don't we go faster?"  I think you will find whatever you ask of the universe, it will give you.  All you have to do is ask.

From the moment you commit to this idea that you want to acquire 10 units a year, you will amaze yourself at how fast you figure out the creative ways to achieve your goals.  Commit first, figure out the details later.

Take massive action and I'll see you at the top!!