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All Forum Posts by: Account Closed

Account Closed has started 13 posts and replied 34 times.

Post: RE Networking or Meetup Groups

Account ClosedPosted
  • Homeowner
  • Boston MA
  • Posts 37
  • Votes 19
Quote from @Kenneth Garrett:

@Account Closed

I googled REIA groups and found Boston Real Estate Investors Group in Dedham.


 I found that and some of them charge for attendance...

Post: Avail vs RentRedi vs Excel sheets

Account ClosedPosted
  • Homeowner
  • Boston MA
  • Posts 37
  • Votes 19
Quote from @Nathan Gesner:

Software is a common question on BiggerPockets. Here are some things to consider:

  1. Most investors don't need software until they have 5-10 rentals. All you need is a single place to track tenant information, payment history, maintenance, and a few other things. You can easily do this on a spreadsheet and it will take less time to track than it would to find and learn a new software. If the software is not simplifying your life or making you more accurate, you shouldn't use it.
  2. Software does have extremely helpful features like online payments, marketing syndication (click a button and your property is advertised on multiple sites), electronic document review/signing, maintenance tracking, and owner reports. But do you really need that for your one rental?
  3. There's no perfect software out there. Every system you try will have flaws or you'll salivate over a feature that shows up in other software.

Some common names you'll see thrown around a lot: Stessa, Apartments.com, RentRedi, TenantCloud, Innago, RentManager, Avail, Rentec Direct, Doorloop, etc.

I recommend you search for each of those apps online and see what they offer, how much they charge, etc. Make a simple spreadsheet or written list with the features of each and see which ones appeal to you most. Try to narrow it down to your top 3-4. Once you have a short list, get an account with each one and run them through the wringer to see how they really function. Do one task at a time in each app so you can compare apples to apples.

  • Load a property with pictures and details.
  • Market that property.
  • See what your marketing looks like from the public's perspective.
  • Submit a fake application to see how easy the process is.
  • Run a credit/screening report on yourself.
  • Enter a maintenance request, assign a vendor, attach a fake invoice.
  • Enter charges to the tenant's ledger.
  • Enter recurring charges and automatic late fees.
  • Sign documents electronically.
  • Run owner reports.

After testing a few apps, one of them should stand out for you. Choose that one and use it. No system is perfect, so don't waste your time chasing after the next shiny object. You should only have to change when your current software has a flaw or lacking feature that is causing you to spend too much work on a work-around. Then you can consider researching and finding something that meets your needs better.


 I have more than 10 units right now so it has gotten a bit hairy, but I have excel combined with Avail a bit and it is not perfect. I will try a few more then I will stick to one. Good advice about the submitting fake application, fake invoice, etc., to see what the tenant sees. Great

Post: House hacking and rents

Account ClosedPosted
  • Homeowner
  • Boston MA
  • Posts 37
  • Votes 19

that's right, I would not raise it too much suddenly, just small amount every time after talking to them about why the reasoning. Every time I have done it, I talked to them about it first and why I was raising it and they did understand and had no issues paying a bit more.

Post: Wholesaling vs Flipping any suggestions?

Account ClosedPosted
  • Homeowner
  • Boston MA
  • Posts 37
  • Votes 19
Quote from @Eliott Elias:

You should wholesale the base hits, and flip the home runs


 flipping requires more money for reno and in that case I need to get more financing to be able to do it. Thoughts?

Post: Wholesaling vs Flipping any suggestions?

Account ClosedPosted
  • Homeowner
  • Boston MA
  • Posts 37
  • Votes 19
Quote from @Christie Gahan:

wholesale 100%


 can you expand a bit on it? how to get started?

Post: RE Networking or Meetup Groups

Account ClosedPosted
  • Homeowner
  • Boston MA
  • Posts 37
  • Votes 19

RE Networking or Meetup Groups in the Boston area. I've been looking for some but not really be able to find much. I went to a couple in East Boston and bunch of people just wanted me to invest in their companies or trying to sell me stuff. 

Any suggestions? comments?

Post: Long distance investing

Account ClosedPosted
  • Homeowner
  • Boston MA
  • Posts 37
  • Votes 19
Quote from @Tammy Ginsburg:

Hi,

I’m a new investor, still trying to find a deal. I wanted to invest out of state. Anyone know, what states are the best right now. My market is so crazy expensive in MA.


 Get your first deal close to you. I got my first deal 10 mins away then my second deal 25 mins away and then 2 more deals 1 hour and 30 mins away. the last one has given me the tools to mentally invest out of state having my A team on the ground to help me manage the properties when I am not too close. This approach has worked for me and that's how you should see it 

Post: House hacking and rents

Account ClosedPosted
  • Homeowner
  • Boston MA
  • Posts 37
  • Votes 19

Check similar properties in that area, use BP tools, zillow, craigslist, or any other site to have a clear picture then adjust rents as you think is doable. Do not think yourself as bad landlord, but more like a great landlord that offers living conditions for a fair price. It is your business so treat it as such. Good luck!!!

Post: Avail vs RentRedi vs Excel sheets

Account ClosedPosted
  • Homeowner
  • Boston MA
  • Posts 37
  • Votes 19

Avail vs RentRedi vs Excel sheets?

what's the best one in people's opinion?

Post: Wholesaling vs Flipping any suggestions?

Account ClosedPosted
  • Homeowner
  • Boston MA
  • Posts 37
  • Votes 19

Wholesaling vs Flipping any suggestions?

I have several properties at the moment, but I am trying to expand to wholesaling or flipping. anyone can provide advice one over the other?