All Forum Posts by: Stephanie Dupuis

Arghhh...ok. Not liking that option. But...gotta do what ya gotta do.

Congrats, James!

I'm not receiving tags, messages, etc. to my email, and I've checked to make sure BP isn't blocked on my email acct. - anyone else experienced this and know how to fix it? It's a pain to keep checking my inbox for messages, and not knowing if I've been tagged in a post or other.

I'm with @Steven Stokes on the concept that sometimes good deals hide in plain sight. One of my favorite deals was on the market for over 180 days, went pending five times, and I bought it at 50% of list price. In a great neighborhood, great CCR, CF, etc. I couldn't find anything but cosmetic wrong with it when I did my walk through, and once I had it under contract, the inspector only found very minor things. Was a great deal. Who knows why it was on the market so long. I'm glad it was. Do your due diligence and trust your experience and knowledge.

Yup, kitchen in back. Flows better, by the deck. BBQs, parties, etc. Functional.

Try a different pesticide guy. A friend had a flee infestation at a property like the one you describe. When we walked into the place, flees would jump all over your legs. Incredible. Flees can go dormant for up to 2 yrs., yes. But, correct treatment will kill the eggs. One treatment and the flees were gone.

btw, we're in Seattle area and it's very mild here. Flees are year `round. Flees will also drive you crazy. Go kill those @#$$%$. Flee eggs also die with heat (you can wash a dog bed and kill flees and the eggs). I don't know if this would work (research it b/c I'm just thinking off the top of my head here), but wouldn't a pro steam clean kill the eggs in the carpet? Nonetheless, flees are typically easy to get rid of. This shouldn't be going on.

Great information here. Nice post, @Dawn Anastasi !

I, too, was scared before, during, and after my first deal. It's great that you already have reserves. You've taken an important step. Keep putting money aside while you're looking for your first deal and continue to build your reserves. It'll only help (and will help those nerves).

When I was in the process of my first deal, I kept my eye on my goal. I also reminded myself that everyone's knees knock. This is normal. But, great people do what most won't, even when their knees are knocking. I checked my numbers over and over (and over, and...), did my due diligence, made sure I'd done my best to buy a property that was likely to rent, then signed the papers.

Once you start looking, it gets a little easier. Then, once you start putting offers in, it gets a little easier. Then, once an offer gets accepted, it's a little easier.

As Troy said, post them on BP for ppl to look over for you. Most of us love crunching numbers and looking at deals! Glad you're here.

Yes, use insurance to protect yourself. Ask your CPA which entity to use for taxes. I'm using an S Corp. There's also protections with an S Corp.

@J Scott I do plan to list properties full time.

@Account Closed I haven't contacted Summit Realty, thanks for mentioning that, I'll do that and see what their situation is. I'd absolutely look at a brokerage out of the area that didn't require me to come into the office. I have contacted two (so I simply need to keep looking - this is a matter of my lack of knowledge of who is available). The out of area companies did want me to come into the office due to our state two year supervision laws, but this may vary by company. Each designated broker seems to have a different definition of supervision.

A question, I do want to list properties full time as an agent and a local office seems to fit well with this model. Thoughts? Is a local office necessary or no?

RE: The S-Corp comment above. I will also operate as an S Corp as an agent. Great post by James and much agreed.