All Forum Posts by: Jack Gray

Hi Jon,

I bought a house in South Tampa (4bed/2400sq ft, built 2005) in March, had it inspected, and then discovered drywood termites swarming a month later.  They were in the upstairs bathroom cabinets (and possibly the wall behind the cabinets).  After getting 5 quotes (the cheapest to tent was $2,400), I decided to buy a can of the termidor foam on Amazon for $30 and treat it myself after watching a few youtube videos. So far so good.  

The prevalence of termites in Tampa is one of the reasons block construction is so much preferred here (along with storm resistance and reduced utility costs).  

If you're seeing signs of drywood termites in multiple locations, then spot treatment probably isn't going to work and you'll need the place tented.  I'd bid the job on thumbtack.com or homeadvisor.com. Look for good reviews on Angie's List too.

I tend to think the annual warranty is worth it on wood frame houses around here assuming it's not much more than $200/year.  Generally I think smaller companies in which the owner shows up and does the work himself are best.  No need to waste time having every contractor come by in person, just ask over the phone or online how much they'll charge to tent a house your size and warranty it each subsequent year.  

Good luck!

Hi Dustin, check out Homeadvisor's calculator:

http://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/

I also like to use this one since it's a bit more precise:

https://www.remodelingcalculator.org/interior-pain...

Once you have a ballpark, bid the job on homeadvisor or thumbtack.com or call the pro desk at your local home depot and ask who they'd recommend.  Make sure the quote specifies # of coats, baseboards/trim if needed, and wall patch/prepwork.  

Hello, is there anything similar to Property Radar available in Florida?  

 Hi Micah, I recommend using a dollar amount for your repair/capex estimate and tailoring it to the property. For a nice new single family I'd use $100/month.  For an old run-down house you might have to budget as high at $400/month.  I'd also use 5% vacancy in the Tampa area for a typical unit in a decent area.  I'd use as high as 20% vacancy for housing in the ghetto.  

Good point, I should have mentioned that I will owner-occupy for a year, then it will become a long-term rental property.  

@Jim Adrian, the inside is in ok shape but dated. I'm completely gutting and redoing the kitchen and bathrooms using an FHA 203k loan. Thank you again for the help!

Thank you so much everyone for the suggestions and thank you @Valerie Hiscoeand @Jim Adrianin particular.  I close on this house tomorrow and I'm planning to live in it for a year and then add it to the rental portfolio.  I've got my work cut out for me.  I'll post pics when it's done!

Anyone have any ideas how to spruce up the curb appeal on this 4/3 SFR in Tampa/Riverview?

The color scheme is blah.  I'm thinking a new trim color?  Any suggestions?  Should I paint the garage door and front door too?  Obviously I'm going to pressure wash the driveway.  Thanks!

I've been happy with Patrick Anderson at MyCrossCountry Mortgage.

Hi Michael,

It's a bit of a drive for you, but you might want to check out this event that @Mark J. is putting together tomorrow evening:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521/topics/26...

I'll be there and I'm hoping to learn a bit more about the Tampa area foreclosure process and finding potential flip deals as well.