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All Forum Posts by: Bruce Lynn

Bruce Lynn has started 71 posts and replied 5009 times.

Post: The Urban vs. Suburban Debate: Where Are Buyers Investing in Texas?

Bruce Lynn#2 Real Estate Agent ContributorPosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Coppell, TX
  • Posts 5,139
  • Votes 4,493

I would agree with @Jay Thomas that all 3 cities and the other big cities in Texas are all experiencing growth in both urban and suburban areas.  The new homes will be mostly built in the burbs, and I expect as we move forward outside of many city limits or in smaller cities where the builders can control the narrative with less regulations, less inspections, less red tape, lower requirements.

Due to the number of people moving though, we'll see some urban infill as well I expect.  Dallas just implemented a new plan call Forward Dallas in Sept or Oct.  I expect that it somewhat follows Austin's lead.  Haven't heard about Houston or San Antonio, but just like many cities nationwide they all feel the need for more affordable housing and have hopes urban infill can help that.  Of course, tough to build 50,000 units in one person's back yard, but there will be some people build granny flats, or garage apartments and you may see some office converted to residential.  Probably just see a combination of solutions as we add more and more people....Dallas/DFW we're adding about 50,000 people a month last I heard.

Post: Anyone familiar with co-ownership of rental properties

Bruce Lynn#2 Real Estate Agent ContributorPosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Coppell, TX
  • Posts 5,139
  • Votes 4,493
Quote from @Alek Fort:

Hello,

If you are both in agreement on terms and %, then I would think almost any title company would be able to assist you with both the contract and closing.  Do you have a partnership agreement or just Deeds with % of ownership.  This is probably not real common on residential, but we see it now and then.  Often with probate where mom and dad leaves house to 3 kids equally.  Let me know if you need title company recommendations.

Post: Tips to start as a part time agent before full time

Bruce Lynn#2 Real Estate Agent ContributorPosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Coppell, TX
  • Posts 5,139
  • Votes 4,493

#1 Listings.  Almost all new agents go after buyers.  Don't do that.  Get listings.

#2 Set a schedule....lets say you work 8-5pm FT job....then you work 6-10pm calling, prospecting 5 days a week and 8hrs on Saturday and 4hrs on Sunday afternoon.

#3 That's 32 hours a week for the first 6 months after your FT job.  Maybe if you can take a week of vacation or sick time or PTO or whatever you can to get some extra phone time in.

#4 Before you do any of that while you're prepping to get started is detail out all your databases.  Who do you know that loves and trusts you and wants to see you succeed?  Everyone in your phone, linkedin, FB, IG, any other databases-school-religious-frat-clubs-sports-high school-college-old jobs-current job.  Have all those names first/last, phone, email, address, birthday, anniversary, etc. That's who you're calling the first six months.

Post: Anyone have experience with Privy Real Estate Database —— Especially Expired Listings

Bruce Lynn#2 Real Estate Agent ContributorPosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Coppell, TX
  • Posts 5,139
  • Votes 4,493

@Art Webb   I don't knot that there is one best source.  Theoretically they should be all pulling about the same list.

PropStream

Deal Machine

Property Radar

Landvoice

Mojo Dialer

plenty of others.

@Account Closed   One of my cities acted all hurt when I asked them for the shutoff list, but FOI request got it pretty quickly.  I also pulled a few more list from FOI requests.  One they fought hard and took it to the state AG for privacy, which should have no pricy restrictions on it anyway.  AG reminded them they had already provided the list to many other people and could just send me the same list...and they did pretty quickly and at no charge.  Most of the time it is in the cities interest to provide these lists even they they act like they don't want to do it. If the water is shutoff, that means it should be vacant.  Better to get someone living there vs having vacant property.  You just have to remind them of reasons for improving the city.   In one of the cities I work you can actually go thru the FOI requests and often pull the excel link to lists already created for others.  Plenty of lists to work and some people had some pretty good ideas, even if they weren't exactly real estate related, no reason you can't use the same list.   

Post: First flip / Dallas, TX / Need advise

Bruce Lynn#2 Real Estate Agent ContributorPosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Coppell, TX
  • Posts 5,139
  • Votes 4,493

Congratulations.

Tough decision.

I think you really have no choice but to sod at least the front.

Don't use fake turf, and it isn't cheap anyway.  Seed at this time of year won't work I don't think.  Too late.  Maybe hydro mulch back next spring about May 1st. 

With both turf and seed/mulch/spring/sod you do have to water and I say water like crazy.  You probably have to be all over this. Tenants won't water enough.  Let's say next Spring if you hydro mulch and water and fertilize like crazy you can have a nice yard full of grass in the back next summer.

I have seen some builders about this time of year use some kind of roll out mats to keep the dirt covered until the house is ready or Spring for sod.  Not sure what that product is.  It's painted green.  Doesn't look like grass but maybe gets by until Spring.

Good luck.

Post: North Texas - Ready to Get Started!!

Bruce Lynn#2 Real Estate Agent ContributorPosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Coppell, TX
  • Posts 5,139
  • Votes 4,493

My first thought is probably not to keep your house in Frisco as a rental.  Way too many rentals in Frisco and at super low prices.  Of course I don't know what you have, but typically what I see is probably better to sell it and maybe buy two in Someplace like Sherman if your resources allow that. Might make sense to keep it if you have super low interest rate and around 2000sqft or less.

Some great groups have been mentioned here, but be careful who you meet with.  Some of the groups are made up of local investors with all kinds of different experiences and are pretty helpful with resources when you need them.  Some groups seemed to be focused on using you as their cash cow to fund the organizers lifestyle.  I'd say stay away from those groups.  If they start asking for money for more mentoring and training to the tune of $5000-$25,000 or more, run.

Post: Invest in triplex, quadplex , self manage or invest in apartment syndication deal?

Bruce Lynn#2 Real Estate Agent ContributorPosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Coppell, TX
  • Posts 5,139
  • Votes 4,493

Well lots to digest there and lots of different ideas.  Do you want to be involved or mostly hands off.   Very different ideas of flipping vs syndications or flipping vs rentals.   

Your list of syndicators probably decent.  Some I like more than others.  It is much more complicated than that though.   Deal flow is one.  Most deal flow very limited.   I am guessing everyone on your list has had capital calls, but not 100% sure about that.   If they haven't they are lucky and not necessarily skilled.

One advice I have been giving lately is don't invest with amateurs.   See in person every deal you plan to invest in.  Its only $200-$300 for a plane ticket.  $150!for a hotel and maybe $50 for a car....and a day or two of time to go ck your deals before you give someone $100,000 to invest in your behalf.    

How did you develop this list?

Post: Pay Off Loan Sooner?

Bruce Lynn#2 Real Estate Agent ContributorPosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Coppell, TX
  • Posts 5,139
  • Votes 4,493
Quote from @Samuel M.:

I bought an out of state property and have about $50,000 left to pay off for the loan. Anyone know if paying 1 huge principle payment at the end of each year would pay it off faster verses bi weekly payments?

Not sure what the difference would be $ wise  but reducing your principal biweekly vs at the end of the year would reduce your interest expense more than lump sum.

Post: What is the best book on commercial real estate investing?

Bruce Lynn#2 Real Estate Agent ContributorPosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Coppell, TX
  • Posts 5,139
  • Votes 4,493

Not sure there is 1 best book.

I'd read stuff by many of the local guys, as you may have a chance to meet them or hear them speak one day.  So a couple of books by Frisco based Craig Hall.  Trammell Crow.  Ross Perot.  Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller, and HOLD by one of his Denton Proteges Jim McKissick.   

Not in Dallas, but I would read anything by Ken McElroy....he's sharp.  Listen to his podcast.

I'd probably read all the Rich Dad Poor Dad books....multiple times.

No matter if you like him or not, I think I would read every Donald Trump book.

If Sam Zell ever wrote a book I would read that.

Post: Best landlord insurance rates in Fort Worth, Texas?

Bruce Lynn#2 Real Estate Agent ContributorPosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Coppell, TX
  • Posts 5,139
  • Votes 4,493

Just sent you a DM for FTW area agent that works with lots of investors.  Broker so has access to multiple insurers and can shop for you every year or two, to ensure the best rates.