All Forum Posts by: Chris Erwin

@Jacob Butler

I think your plan of buying a duplex and renting out one side while living in the other side is a great starting point for investing. If you are looking to get in further and buy more rental properties or flip houses, I would recommend education through this website and searching out to join a local REIA. These groups tend to have all types of investors that can really assist you in with this type of investing. Best of luck and happy investing.

@Trevor Sie-Duke

I have used services such as Angie's List and Thumbtack to find good GC's. I would highly recommend either of those two services. 

@Account Closed

Sounds like you have a strategy that works for you. I agree that using property managers can give up some control. We have figured out a way around that by using our own maintenance staff in the areas we buy in, which cuts down on maintenance costs considerably. You are wise to evaluate your strategy as real estate is constantly changing. We evaluate our strategy on a consistent basis as well. 

@Account Closed

I don't think your strategy is wrong. You are purchasing multi family properties, so essentially you are diversifying somewhat, which I always recommend. I buy out of state properties in St Louis, MO and Birmingham, AL. I want to diversify the areas that I invest in, but my strategy is different from yours in that I prefer lower cost properties that tend to produce high cap rates. Are you only purchasing in your local state?

@Travis Osborn

I don't have any local recommendations, but I have found good people through Angie's List and Thumbtack.

@Rick Wagner

What kind of properties are you looking for? 

@Benjamin Runtz

We have had great experience investing out of state in Birmingham, AL and St Louis, MO. Are you looking to flip houses, or buy and hold?

@Antonio Jones

BiggerPockets is a great place to get started and learn. I also recommend searching out your local REIA meetings. Typically there are experienced investors within those groups that you can learn and perhaps find a mentor to help.

@Account Closed 

We have one we just finished rehabbing. Here is the address:

416 Valley Rd, Birmingham, AL 35206

If you search the address you will be able to see it listed with all of the pictures. We have several upgrades in this house. 

Hello @Jack T. BiggerPockets is an excellent resource to learn and network. I would also recommend you search for a local REIA group. Go to the meetings they have and network and learn from those investors as well.