All Forum Posts by: Bryan Kurtz

I am allowed to operate a rental under the CC&R's. There recently has been a special assessment to have the necessary reserve funding. However, My HOA has increased and received assessments just in the year and a half I have been living here.

Worth mentioning that I have a 2.75% rate on the condo. I acquired the condo in Jan 22'. The appreciation is quite small for the short timeframe which is why I am looking to rent.

I have local contacts for a handyman and plumber. I do feel I would care about my property more than someone who manages a portfolio of many. However, PM is so commonly recommended, I'd be interested in hearing feedback from both sides

 I made a condo purchase in 2022 and it's been owner-occupied (myself) to the present. I am relocating for a job opportunity and exploring my options for renting out my 2bd/2ba condo. My job opportunity will be in Northern California while this unit will be in Southern California. 

My margins are pretty razor-thin to accommodate for property management, the condo would cash-flow roughly $250 a month without a PM. I have sourced some information locally from my agent and gotten some preliminary quotes from PM companies. I would essentially be at even with a PM company. 

My concern is being taken advantage of and cutting into profits that could otherwise be managed myself for only having 1 property. I understand the legal considerations of needing my lease to reflect state laws and be compliant.

Are there individuals here who managed remotely successfully or any strong opinions on why to use a PM company?

@Jordan Graham Thank you, that's helpful

@John McCann Thank you for the reply. Paralysis by analysis is definitely something I struggle with 

@Ben Capone Thanks for the helpful reply and encouragement. Did you get into SFH rentals or duplexs/Multi-family? I also agree that I would prefer to be in the area of my rentals

@Mark Frattini Thanks for the helpful info. Yes, the appreciation here has been nuts. I wanted to buy last year in March but was looking to do a career transition, so decided to wait. That decision has been paining me ever since, but hindsight is always 20/20.

 For some background, I am single in my early 30's and interested in making my first purchase or investment into the new year. 

Many of my friends (married) are buying their first homes, and I want to start building my future as well. The San Diego market has appreciated dramatically where home prices are 50% higher than they were just in March of 2021. So I am trying to decide what makes the most sense for me and my situation.

Is it a better option to obtain your first house to eliminate rent and build equity in your own home first? Or is it better to build an investment portfolio and look at a house down the road? Ultimately, I don't NEED a house/condo right now, although I do want one and a place I can call home.

Ideally, I'd like to invest in my local area and find a duplex that I can owner-occupy, but again the market down here is so crazy. I'm not even sure I can do that, let alone a SFH for purchase.

I am thinking about investing OOS to build my portfolio, and then purchase.. But investing OOS intimidates me by not understanding the local area as much and relying on obtaining quality agents, contractors, and potentially property management.

Does anyone have any sound advice for the best step in securing a long-term financial future for someone in my position given my location/circumstances (San Diego,CA)?

@Tony Kim Interesting thoughts. Are you then staying in your current position and investing part-time in buy-and-holds?

@Brandon Sturgill If I am understanding you correctly, it sounds like you are endorsing a buy and hold strategy over flipping for cash flow / income?