All Forum Posts by: Bob T.

thank you for suggestions!!   Lock already changed, of course all exterior door has deadbolts.   we added timer light and HD security system just to make some noise.  

@David Begley

 great idea!  and yes we feel the same.

This was someone who has key so they were watching us very close :)   As for pit bull... I wouldn't want to clean up after them.

1st time tagged by the copper thieves ( I assume there are more then 1 person).  My biz partner notice back door key was missing last week, but with people come in and out sometimes that happen. The house was 99% done with some touch up/clean up, realtor started some showing too.

I am not here to guess who did it :D  my want to prevent or at least not make it an easy job.

Too bad in Chicago, pex is not an option. Looking at the bright side, at least they shut off the water and left all the tile wall and kitchen undamaged.

it hurt to look at, here is the basement.

I am now on BP forums try to learn what I can do to avoid this. Please add any suggestion you may have. The end goal is to have something so we can leave behind even after the rehab is done.

1) change out locks when key is missing; Kwikset smart key, it can re-key seem to work fine.

2) security system (monitoring or just stand alone)

Camera would be nice.  I plan to keep the system in place until house is sold (or sell as part of the house).

I searched the forums and found some uses Lasershield, their web site show it has camera.   Does camera works well even at night?  is the device easy to remove?

 simplisafe looks okay, it can used with their monitoring service or not, currently no camera support. the price is pretty fair.  anybody use it any pro/con?

3) motion/timer light. 

My project we pulled permit and city required paperwork to show correct steps were taking on removal, test and disposal.

Here is link to my old post https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/67/topics/165...

From what i seem the going rate for gutted drawing with permit will cost around 10k.  If need some structure engineer advice add more $.  Oh if u need a few copies of that drawing add $5 

Welcome Margaret!

I suggest that you setup keyword alert for "meetup"  "Chicago" (in your Profile setting) or check http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521-events-and...

There are great locals represent Chicagland that has meet up:  

every 3rd Tuesday  Brie Schmidt runs a meeting.

Wendell has the one in NW.

And there are many others CCIA (4th Sunday) , WCRT ... sometimes it feels like "club"-hopping.   you just have to find the one that you enjoy.

We (at least some of us) like to pick on Detroit.   But someone is writing the big check probably takes another 5 years but it's a start.  Anyone local see the benefit?

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2015/05/...

JPMorgan projects in Detroit

Some of the development projects to which JPMorgan funds went in 2014:

I already use (evernote) to capture my pro and con.  And it is one one place and searchable.   MS's one note does the same thing.

Mike, 

welcome to the RE.  don't think you are have to do or learn "everything" at the same time.

Break into smaller pieces you don' t have to know or understand every details.  Go back and read JScott's book 6 month later you'll discover something new.   

You may have read enough, go out and network there are numbers of REI club/meetup.

may I suggest write you goal down ;-) this way if want to modify you can see progress you made.

Originally posted by @Neil S.:

If I had to do it over again I would:

A) Not buy a property with active court.

B) Not buy a property without at least 3 bedrooms.

C) Put in high end finishings in the kitchen and bathroom. I did the minimum for Section 8 thinking if I spent more it would just cost more on the backend when I had to turn it over. That's true but then the units will sit vacant much longer.

Not that you can't succeed doing the opposite, but this has just been my experience.

The numbers can look seductive but be careful out there, if you're gonna start, start small so you get a feel for how things work out there.

agreed with @Neil S. and @Cliff 

Sec8 doesn't mean they'll live without the usual comfort. And always drive and visit the area. Stop by store, park and see a few rentals to get an idea on the finishes (or what not to do ;))

All podcast are great!! but for local investor #65 and #78 if I missed someone local please pile on.

--add those @ sign

I can not micromanage GC and I don't need every line item is necessary.  I will consider adding what  Keith  suggested "turnkey" wording such as " final bid amount will be amount paid, any and all added charges or change orders will need to be approved and in writing."   Usually I do what JScott suggested, if it's less then $200 materials please go ahead and do right.

 I have biz partners/investors to communicate to and things are budgeted, if something jumps out on the final payment is not very professional.    Like what @Katie Neason said if it's known cost it should be included.  Of course if GC open the wall and realize something wasn't supported correctly, additional man hours and materials is needed > $200  a quick call would take care of this.   

My latest project we discovered friable vinyl tiles  under the carpet!!!  Later test confirmed it's positive for asbestos. this is not covered by the SOW :-)  

If my team keep on using the same GC over and over we'll have better understand with each other.

@Katie Neason , due to liability my team always uses GC.