All Forum Posts by: Ken Holifield

Not knocking or defending JWB.  They manage a ton rentals.  Some people love the larger companies and some people prefer the smaller ones.  The PM business is not an easy business and most have fair fees for the work that's required.  Always happy to chat about property management if you still need help.

I can help! Check us out at: www.DoorVinePM.com

Welcome!

I'm a broker and property manager in Jacksonville, heavily focused on the investing side on RE.  There's plenty of great and smart people on here and in our local area that can offer advice, but I would offer two things:

1.  Do your homework thoroughly, but don't get stuck in neutral.  If you've educated yourself and the numbers make sense, pull the trigger before someone beats you to the deal.  I see this way too often with investors, most are never able to get past either the education or the analyzing phase.  Don't let this happen to you!

2.  Hire a property manager so you can free up your time for your full time job and/or for acquiring more properties.  I realize this seems self-serving coming from a property manager, but it doesn't have to be me.  There are plenty of great PM companies in our area too.  PMs will of course come at cost but a good one is totally worth it.

Let me know if I can help, good luck!

Totally agree with all the comments so far.  There are many good agents/brokers around here who understand the investing side of real estate.  Find one that you feel comfortable with and use them for their knowledge and expertise.  The real agents/brokers have a license and would not jeopardize their license to make a quick buck like some of the people shooting you quick offers.  Hope this helps, good luck!

Hi Jason, and welcome back to the RE investing world!  There’s not many reasons good enough for me to get out of the real estate game, but a brewery is definitely high on the list.  Congrats on that business venture!!  There are a lot of good investor friendly realtors on here so I’m sure some will chime in here.  I sent you a private message to connect.  Let me know if I can help, good luck!

Welcome Steve!

Lots of opportunity to make money in both spaces.  I'm a local real estate broker and property manager.  We primarily stick to the investing side of residential real estate.  Happy to connect and help wherever possible.  First, figure out what your focus is and then go full steam ahead.  Many people in your shoes get stuck trying to decide which direction to go and never actually execute.  That's the best advice I can provide.  But I'm sure with your experience, that will not happen to you.  Good luck!!  

We work in all zip codes!  What exactly do you need help with?

HouseScan is always my go-to.  They are very thorough and competitive on price.  Good luck!

It's a pretty broad question but I'll give my thoughts.  Disclaimer first, I am not a licensed contractor.  But I have bought and sold and helped others buy and sell many properties as well as managed many properties.  

Electrical - Hopefully the electrical has been updated.  Especially if you are looking at properties in the 40s or earlier.  I believe they stopped using knob and tube wiring sometime in the 40s.

Roof - Of course in that amount of years, most likely the roof has been replaced at least a couple times, but this is also a big ticket items to look closely at.

Plumbing - I think it was sometime in the 80s when PVC pipes were starting to be widely used.  A lot of those older houses have corroded cast iron or galvanized pipes.

Asbestos - This was use in many house products all the way back to the 30s.

Lead-based paint - This was used up until 1977.  You'll want to test the paint surfaces for lead.  The big box stores sell a kit for less than $20 bucks I think.

Hope this helps.  Good luck!

I concur with what Minna said.  But don't let that discourage you.  There is still money to be made in those areas.  I know plenty of investors who only buy in those areas.  Good luck!