All Forum Posts by: Donald E Appleberry

Most definitely! @Jesse Reynoso

@David Pere's info has helped a lot of people using the VA loan to house hack and pick up long term investments. Highly recommend!

Hey Brutha,

Glad to see more people thinking ahead. If you're looking to house hack, buying a fixer might not be really ideal. That doesn't mean it's not doable! Just depends on if you have some buddies you're planning on renting rooms to or if you're doing more of a "Room for Rent" approach. Different situations have different strategies! Not bashing any of them. Just that I find most people looking for a room aren't looking to live in a construction site. 

As far as DTI, I'd recommend speaking to a lender and making sure your assumption is true. I won't say either way since I'm not a lender. @Jon Lallande has helped a lot of my clients that are doing the exact strategy you are, so that may be a good place to start. 

When it comes to area, it's also going to boil down to personal strategy and what makes sense for your scenario. Location is key in real estate. You know the saying. I'd say even more so when you're looking to fill a room. One of my current clients is doing it in Lemon grove. He got a really solid place because we found a property that had unaccounted for sqft on the MLS. A 4/3 and his buddies are renting rooms. Plus, there's a ton of space so it won't feel crammed. With your strategy, I would recommend something more like that vs a fixer or maybe a spot with an ADU/guest home already in place.

San Diego is very much buy and hold. So if you're thinking long term make sure you truly enjoy the property and don't just buy it due to the numbers. I know I know, someone on BP saying numbers aren't the most important thing!? Yes, they most definitely are important, but if you're going to house hack you don't want to hate where you live for X amount of years just because it gave you a couple hundred dollars more a month than a place you really liked. I've seen it happen and I caution you on getting to focused on that side. I have people tell me the numbers are all that matter to them, then 8 or 9 showings later they understand what I'm saying. You're investing your personal lively-hood as well as your financial situation. Find the balance.

You're just starting and it sounds like your not super familiar with San Diego. So look around and get some more perspectives before you pull the trigger! It's a big investment so make sure it's right for you. I hold REI meet ups in downtown once a month. The next one is posted here on BP. "Military Investing Meet Up" is the name of it. BP>Network>Events. It's not exclusive to military and has a lot of new and current investors that come out. Come by and join us for a drink and get pick some of their brains as well. Of course, feel free to reach out if you have any questions as well. Happy to help in anyway.

You know I’m Down! 

What's up guys! This event is the second Saturday of December this time Holiday events we have going on. The last one was cancelled unfortunately due to COVID/HOA issues. I've taken care of the problem. So we're good!

I'm a prior Reconnaissance Marine and moved into real estate full time after I got out. I'll be hosting with David Pere who's currently active duty and has built a solid military based investing community that cuts out the B.S. I wanted to bring that online community to in person meet ups and events so here we are!

Come have a couple drinks with other investors in the area. New and Experienced. We have a pretty diverse group in regards to investment strategy. There's always someone who knows something you don't, the key is to connect with them.

**Yes I'm an agent and No I will not be soliciting any services to you. Anyone at the event strictly for soliciting or self promotion will be escorted out. When I first started I fell into a "Guru Trap" as I call them and spent way too much money for information and guidance that I think should be easily accessible to guys and gals just starting out. This is for helping people learn and grow without paying for a "behind the curtain" pitch.

Hope to see you guys there and I'll continue to update as San Diego updates procedure.

Donald E Appleberry,

Real Estate Agent
• 417-650-1409
• [email protected]

Edit signature

• Posts11
• Votes7

1voteWho voted?

Erich Brown Rental Property Investor from San Diego, CA

replied about 2 months ago

Right on, thanks for posting @Donald E Appleberry . I’ll be there!

Erich Brown

• Posts13
• Votes2

1voteWho voted?

Benjamin Mccracken Real Estate Agent from San Diego, CA

replied about 2 months ago

Stoked, this will be my first bigger pockets meet up! See you there!

Benjamin Mccracken, Real Estate Agent

• Posts11
• Votes7

0votesNo votes yet

Erich Brown Rental Property Investor from San Diego, CA

replied about 1 month ago

@Donald E Appleberry

What time does the meeting start?

Erich Brown

Top Subjects:
Tenants, Rentals, and Real Estate Finance

• Posts107
• Votes102

1voteWho voted?

Donald E Appleberry Real Estate Agent from San Diego, CA

replied about 1 month ago

@Erich Brown

6pm man!

Donald E Appleberry,

Real Estate Agent
• 417-650-1409
• [email protected]

Edit signature

• Posts9
• Votes3

0votesNo votes yet

Yoichi Kato

replied about 1 month ago

@Donald E Appleberry where and what is the meetup?

Top Subjects:
Tenants, Rentals, and Real Estate Finance

• Posts107
• Votes102

0votesNo votes yet

Donald E Appleberry Real Estate Agent from San Diego, CA

replied about 1 month ago

950 6th ave in downtown san diego. Investing meet up where we just talk about different aspects or strategy in current market standings as well as what's been working for people. Less of a presentation and more of a real estate hang out. No sales pitch.

Donald E Appleberry,

Real Estate Agent
• 417-650-1409
• [email protected]

Edit signature

• Posts4
• Votes2

1voteWho voted?

Matthew Mitchell from San Diego

replied about 1 month ago

Stoked on this, see you guys there.

• 1

@Hunter Bernius

"You only lose when you sell". It definitely boils down to the numbers on the property. If you've owned it for a while, it could make more sense to rent it. I manage property here in San Diego. So I can tell you first hand filling the vacancy isn't a big concern right now. Who you fill it with will always be one however. Vetting is CRUCIAL.

On the flip side, if the numbers for renting it don't make you feel comfortable, then the discussion moves to how the selling market is right now. That my friend is good news for you as it is INSANE. Hahha. All of our listings (with the exception of downtown) have been put into escrow within the first few days being put on the market. I wish I could take all the credit for that, but realistically its just how the market is right now. 

I hold real estate investing meet ups once a month with @David Pere. The next one being the Second Saturday of December. Come out and talk with other investors and get some more info or feel free to connect with me on here and we can do a deep dive on the strategy. Best of luck, brutha. 

Hey man!

Congrats on looking to make moves. I'd recommend attending a few REI meet ups in San Diego. Check the Bigger Pockets Network>Events. I hold one once a month in Downtown and there are some other good ones up in North County I go to. That's a solid place to network and learn different strategies as well! Best of luck!

Hey Guys,

So unfortunatley I'm going to have to reschedule this meet up. COVID and last minute venue issues came up. I'll repost the new meet up date ASAP!

@Brandon Elliott

Email me the details! [email protected]

Hey guys! So the meet up has hit a hiccup with the new "Purple" Status for San Diego. The HOA here is hesitant to allow me to have it this weekend without a longer notice. I'm going to see if we can get a big table at Serrano's across the street. I'll update this evening on if thats the new plan or if we will have to reschedule. Thanks everyone!