All Forum Posts by: Helen Kirk

Either location would be fine with me.  Our training room is large, but the chairs are probably not as cushy as what would be in a real estate office, so we might want to try the 360 realty office first.  We have a smartboard, and wireless internet access as well, but we can always use this as a backup.  Wednesdays are ok with me, although I would need to push the time back a bit... perhaps 6pm would be a good time?

Would everyone on this post chime in on what works for them on the date and time?

Hey everyone.  We have a large training room at my workplace, and my director just gave me the OK to use it for our meetings.  The address is 1900 Cunningham Drive, Opelika, AL 36801, and it is located very close to the Opelika Walmart.  It is a big brick building with the letters AMSTI on the front, just before you get to the railroad tracks on the Walmart side of the tracks.

What does everyone think about meeting there next Tuesday around 5pm?

Mondays and Tuesdays are best for me.  I get off work at 4:45 (Opelika), but can get off earlier if I plan for it.  I like the idea of the library or a realtor's meeting room.  Lots of restaurants have meeting rooms available also.

Thanks Denise, that clears things up quite a bit.  I kept a list from last year of how much the winning bid on each item was.  Perhaps I'll go this year and see if the higher overbidded properties are back on the list.

@Denise Evans why would someone bid $30,000 on a tax bill of $2006?  If the owner in your example pays the redemption amount of $2735.72, what happens to the remainder of the $30K?  Does the investor get any of that back?  I went to the Lee County tax sale last year and saw quite a few people doing this, but I don't understand why they bid so much over the original tax.

Well first, we need to meet, get to know each other, and decide what we want to get out of the group... i.e. networking, marketing, insider information of the local market, local vendors, etc.

I would suggest monthly meetings.  If anyone has a meeting room we could use free of charge, this might be the way to go initially, and we wouldn't have to worry about raising funds for a place to meet.

If we decide we want to get this group going long term, we may want to join either the Auburn or Opelika Chamber of Commerce. I've contacted the Auburn Chamber of Commerce. They have an annual organizational membership fee of $175. This would include being able to use either one of their classrooms/meeting areas, they would provide information about our group through any of their information outlets. Should any new investors call inquiring about such a group, they would steer this individual to us.  They have other membership benefits also, but I'm not sure what they are.

So.... we could all go out for dinner somewhere first...

Drat...I had an entire post trying to upload when my computer decided to reboot.  I'll try to recreate my intricately worded, loquacious, perfectly articulated and informative post...

Yes, I'd love to have an REIA in this area and would attend. Anybody know of a place we can meet? We can get speakers, and possibly discounts from local vendors through an association.

My townhouse was listed on the MLS for 4 days when I found it. It was a great deal even though I had to make an offer 6K over the asking price in order to beat out the other several offers.

Lee County Courthouse will have its yearly tax sale next week (May 4, 2016 at 10am).  I went to it last year and found the process fascinating.  I will go this year and might actually bid.

Hi Landon,

I live and invest in the Auburn, AL area. We don't have a local REIA, but I have been to the one in Montgomery. I believe there may also be one in Columbus, GA, which may be a bit closer, although they are in the Eastern time zone vs. the Central time zone.

I purchased a townhouse last year which I am currently renting out at $950.  I just purchased a foreclosure on the steps of the Lee County courthouse, but haven't yet received any documentation on it.  It is occupied by the former owners, and it will be interesting to see what I wind up doing with it.

I own my own home, which I also consider as an investment, since I plan on holding it and renting it out as soon as my kids fly the coop (next 3-5 years).

I have a local mentor, which owns quite a few multi-family rentals.  He is interested in possibly mentoring others before he departs the area in a few years.

Anyway, congratulations on getting involved in real estate.  I certainly wished that I had done it a long time ago!

@Ned Carey What do you mean by "dismiss our judgement"?  I have just bought my first courthouse steps property.  Went to the property and met the tenant wife, who had no idea the home was being sold at auction.  She told me that they knew they were in foreclosure, but were not going to let it go through and will be redeeming it shortly.  They've lived there since 2004, and had no plans to leave.  I'm not quite sure they can afford to redeem it.  I'd be willing to rent it to them, and sell it back to them eventually, but am not quite sure how to structure it.

@Denise Evans  Thanks so much for the information!  This is why I love Bigger Pockets!  I'll certainly go check out your blog.

This is my second property.  I haven't done any other seller-financed deals (or any at all yet).