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All Forum Posts by: Gomez Agou

Gomez Agou has started 4 posts and replied 16 times.

@Brittany Minocchi thanks for the great advice. I am opened to any places as long as I can achieve my goals. So I will reach out to learn on Ohio opportunities as well. 

@Zachary Warethanks for the advice. Just on FHA, I am not an American citizen so not sure that I can benefit a FHA loan.

@Adam Bartomeo thanks for answering each question. Well noted on FL vs Mi. I am now after cash to build. Would you have in mind or anyone some good neighborhood to look into in Michigan. My research shows the counties of Ottawa, Livingston and Grand Traverse. Any views? 

@Vanessa Ivonne Hernandez thanks for your great insights. I will text you in a bit to have a call at your convenience. I am grateful for your time and availability. 

@Foti Karastamatis thanks a lot for this wealth of information and advice. One follow up question: 
I am not a US citizen nor a veteran, can I still benefit from a VA loan? If anyone has a lender contact to guide me that would be great. 
Quote from :

Hello everyone, 

I am a new investor. I bought an apartment in 2019 as a primary residence. Moved out of it since 2021, since I got posted overseas for work. Now I am trying to buy a multi-family home (2-4 units). I got several questions: 


Sell this and take the tax exemption on the 150k before the 3 years go by.

1. Down payment. Everywhere I turn, I am told that need at least 20% and plus as down payment. i wonder whether there is any way to get a lower percentage for the down payment. I can manage to bring 150 K at best. What can I expect for the property price to look for? 

Use a VA loan. I think they are no $$ down and I think it's good up to 4 units   

2. Home equity loan. I wanted to use the equity on my apartment to reach my 150 K as downpayment. My mortgage on that apartment is 211K. The apartment is now worth 350 K. A lender told me that I can get 40 K max out of it. I found it low. Am I wrong?  

I would sell. They are going to base the 40k off of a lot of different variables. Could be more. 

3. Form for the borrowing. I am still wondering whether I should borrow as an individual or create a LLC (in the making). What would be your advice? My goal here is to max out the loan amount while delinking the loan amount from my income debt ratio. Does it make sense.

Borrowing with an LLC can be much more challenging and buying without one and quit claiming into an LLC can trigger a "due on Sale" clause 

4. Location. Though this is a bit of a vague question, I have looking for a place where the market is growing without property price being on the high end. Any good advice there. I am thinking about Michigan or Baltimore or Florida. 

Florida is great but insurance and property taxes are high. Non income tax states usually have higher property taxes. Insurance is going up 2-3x in FL

Thanks for your help. I am happy to have a quick chat by email, over the phone or zoom. 

See comments above 

Stay out of BLUE states. They tend to be more tenant friendly.

I'm sure plenty will disagree with me but, that's what I would do, kind of... I would buy 5 or more units (with a partner, if needed) and get a non recourse commercial loan over $1M in an LLC. Do not bother to get an LLC first, the lender will have specific guidelines for it and you can get one very quickly.

I would actually go for 30+ doors because its the same work as 5 doors but now you can afford a good property manager. Go big or go bigger.

Hello everyone, 

I am a new investor. I bought an apartment in 2019 as a primary residence. Moved out of it since 2021, since I got posted overseas for work. Now I am trying to buy a multi-family home (2-4 units). I got several questions: 

1. Down payment. Everywhere I turn, I am told that need at least 20% and plus as down payment. i wonder whether there is any way to get a lower percentage for the down payment. I can manage to bring 150 K at best. What can I expect for the property price to look for? 

2. Home equity loan. I wanted to use the equity on my apartment to reach my 150 K as downpayment. My mortgage on that apartment is 211K. The apartment is now worth 350 K. A lender told me that I can get 40 K max out of it. I found it low. Am I wrong? 

3. Form for the borrowing. I am still wondering whether I should borrow as an individual or create a LLC (in the making). What would be your advice? My goal here is to max out the loan amount while delinking the loan amount from my income debt ratio. Does it make sense.

4. Location. Though this is a bit of a vague question, I have looking for a place where the market is growing without property price being on the high end. Any good advice there. I am thinking about Michigan or Baltimore or Florida. 

Thanks for your help. I am happy to have a quick chat by email, over the phone or zoom.