All Forum Posts by: Brad Hammond

Hey @Elijah Henderson, for your first and second properties, I would recommend finding one off the MLS. It will be a lot cleaner and you will have a lot of people looking over your shoulder to make sure everything is done correctly. Once you have done a couple and have encountered a few roadblocks, then you can take on an off-market property. These usually have some sort of issue with them that you will need to fix. It could be that there is something physically wrong with the property or it has a clouded title.

That's not to say that you can't find a decent property off-market but they are highly sought after.  Also know that auctions are not the great deal they once were.  

Hi @Amanda House, I would happy to help!  What type of info are you looking for? 

@Nicholas Rodgers, sounds like a great idea!  You should be able to talk to someone in the zoning/planning area of the city and they can tell you.  Each city is set up a little differently so it might be under the umbrella of a different department. 

Hey @Steve Balinski, awwww this would get my goat like none other.  I had a similar issue where a tenant put a very large blowup pool in the yard.  If this is for a multi-family property I would tell them they can't have personal items in the common area.  If it is a single-family property, that makes it a little harder.  While you might not be able to stop them, I would try and make it very inconvenient for them.  Send them an addendum to the lease and tell them they are responsible to move it every 2 weeks while the grass is being cut, it must be taken down between October 1st and April 1st, you are not responsible for any injuries associated with it, etc.  

Hey @Randall E Collins, they will do a background check on you as part of the testing process.  I think it depends on what the offenses were.  I would imagine financial felonies would not be allowed but smaller offenses would be ok.  

Hey @Martine Torres, congrats on getting your offer accepted!  You will want to renovate the side you are living in as well as the exterior upgrades you mentioned.  As far as the other side goes, you will need to wait till the renter decides to leave to upgrade that side.  You could either move into that side and repeat the process or hire the work out depending on your situation.  

I think now is the best time to buy because interest rates are so low.  In 10 years we will be looking at back at these times as one of the best times to buy because money was so easy and cheap to get. 

A more accurate CMA would require a walk-through or photos. It isn't necessary but very helpful.

Back in the day, banks would pay agents $50 for a CMA on the properties they owned. You could give your agent $100-$200 to do whatever you are looking for. I'm sure some of them would be happy to help you out.

Hey @John B., I've got some thoughts for you.

1. With the residential infill project that starts on August 1t, your property might qualify for it.  I just wrote an article on it for my newsletter.  DM me your email address if you want me to forward it to you.  Or you can look it up online.

2. You should check out Dweller as an ADU option. They are pre-fab ADUs and they have good financing options.

3. As you know the city would rather you use it for a long-term renter so to get a short-term permit might be very expensive.