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All Forum Posts by: James Wilcox

James Wilcox has started 111 posts and replied 1295 times.

Post: Purchasing first investment property

James Wilcox
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Bowling Green KY ~ Lexington, KY
  • Posts 1,346
  • Votes 574
Quote from @Ferdinand Yambao:

@James Wilcox Thank you. I am well aware of the class structure and pitfalls of renting to a weaker tenant base. I plan on buying and holding for a few years to build up any type of equity and cash flow. I need to start from square one before I take on bigger projects and properties. 

@Ferdinand Yambao if that's the price point you need to start at, then so be it. Just keep in mind that neighborhoods like that typically offer little equity growth and likely won't generate much cash flow in a few years. I had my first investment SFH reappraised last week in a B-class area of KY. It went up $5K since the 2021 appraisal and has been consistently rented at market rate. I wouldn't buy it by my standards today, but I keep it as a reminder of where I started and to stay active in the local landlord association.

Post: Purchasing first investment property

James Wilcox
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Bowling Green KY ~ Lexington, KY
  • Posts 1,346
  • Votes 574
Quote from @Ferdinand Yambao:

Hello everyone, I am currently thinking about investing in a property in Louisville Kentucky and would like to know if this is a good starting point?

@Ferdinand Yambao as others have said, Louisville is a street-by-street market and not for the faint of heart in certain areas. If you're looking at a $100K house, it's almost certainly a D-class property. If you're comfortable with that tenant base, it could work for you but keep in mind that not all property managers will take on those types of rentals. Personally, I prefer properties with stronger appreciation potential, but if that’s your starting point, you work with what you’ve got. Just know that D-class properties often come with more headaches than they're worth, in my opinion.

Post: Keeping Hot Tub Inviting in Summer ~ What Works Best?

James Wilcox
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Bowling Green KY ~ Lexington, KY
  • Posts 1,346
  • Votes 574
Quote from @Karina Busch:
Quote from @John Underwood:
Quote from @Diana Mulvihill:

Hi all ~ you’ve been so helpful in the past, and I have another question I’d love your input on. Thank you for being kind enough to share your opinions and expertise.

I’m in Northern California ~ slightly mountainous ~ and it gets hot here in the summer, usually ranging from the 80s to high 90s. I have a saltwater hot tub that’s a big draw in cooler months, and I’m wondering how best to offer it during the summer.

Would it make sense to keep the hot tub temp for a relaxing evening soak, as it cools off a bit at night? Or should I market it as a 'cool saltwater plunge', keeping the temperature a few degrees below body temp?

Curious what you’ve seen work well ~ or what you’d enjoy as a guest. Appreciate your thoughts!

We keep our hot tub in Pigeon Forge at the same temp all year round.

 Do people seem to use it much in the summer? I'm in KY and can't imagine wanting to get in the hot tub in summer lol To OP I was curious about this as well, as for me I'd probably want the cooling option but curious to hear what others do. 

Hot tubs are used all year round and a top amenity to have whether people use it during a stay or not.

Post: Investment Savvy Real Estate Agent in Louisville KY

James Wilcox
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Bowling Green KY ~ Lexington, KY
  • Posts 1,346
  • Votes 574
Quote from @Andrew Palmer:

Looking for a real estate agent to assist with purchasing a house in the Louisville area. I am new to the area and plan to live in the house for atleast 2 years and then either sell or rent out. Thanks!

@Andrew Palmer Do you already have the house in mind? If you want just help with the contract part I am licensed and can help with that.

Staying in the home for the two years like your plan avoids the capital gains tax which is great so you should probably sell a little after moving out. Just depends on what kind of rental you are doing but if you haven't lived in the home 2 out of the last 5 years you don't get that benefit anymore upon a sale.

Post: Interested in out of state investments, looking to connect!

James Wilcox
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Bowling Green KY ~ Lexington, KY
  • Posts 1,346
  • Votes 574
Quote from @Kevin Liu:

Hi Everyone, 

I'm new to REI, and I've been looking into some out-of-state investments, specifically in Indianapolis IN, Lexington KY, Fayetteville NC, and Lubbock TX.

I work full-time in tech and don’t have a background in real estate, but every day I study REI material to familiarize myself with this world. I plan to continue saving/learning until I have about 130K and purchase my first property next summer. 

I'm mostly looking to BRRRR and possibly turnkey properties, and I'm curious how remotely controlled these investments can be. I assume that I will never need to visit these markets in person and conduct all of my business through Online/Phone. Is that an unrealistic expectation, and should I fly in a few times a year?


I'd love to connect with investors and agents in these areas to further my knowledge about these particular markets. 

Hey @Kevin Liu welcome to BP and the forums! I can't speak really about the other markets but I do like Lex for a number of reasons. DM me and I can send over what I send to other OOS investors for that market.

Can you invest from a far and never see your properties? Sure. However, I feel it is best to put boots on the ground at least once to get a feel for the markets. Plus it makes for a cool vacation! With today's tech you can do everything from afar and digitally.

Post: Buying assets to cover personal expenses

James Wilcox
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Bowling Green KY ~ Lexington, KY
  • Posts 1,346
  • Votes 574
Quote from @Cody Flicek:

Hey everybody! My name is Cody, I'm a 21 year old currently located in Lexington Ky. I am looking to buy small multifamily assets to cover all of my expenses and wanted yalls wisdom! I currently have about $3,000 in expenses. What would be your guy's first go to be in order to chop this number down? I do not have the capital myself to get started, however I have knowledge and TIME to provide sweat equity in a couple of deals. So how would you guys suggest I best use this time? 

I appreciate you all, thank you!

@Cody Flicek as mentioned, it all starts with tracking your expenses—which it sounds like you're already doing to some extent by knowing your monthly costs. That’s a great start, but the more detailed and accurate your data, the better positioned you’ll be.

The three biggest expense categories are typically housing, travel, and food:

Housing: Look for ways to reduce or offset this. That could mean getting a roommate, downsizing, or moving to a more affordable area.

Travel: Depending on your job or family situation, consider cutting back on fuel, maintenance, or car insurance costs.

Food: Eating out less or getting food delivery and cooking more at home can make a difference. Try to stretch your grocery budget as far as possible.

These are often easier said than done, but they move the needle more than obsessing over small expenses. Cutting out a coffee here and there won’t do nearly as much as tackling the big three, or better yet, instead of reducing expenses look to increase your income.

I’ll also echo what others have said: house hacking is one of the best entry points into real estate investing, though it’s not always easy to pull off. Still, all the info you need is out there. Go to your local REI meetups. They’re great for learning and networking.

If you ever have questions, feel free to shoot me a DM. Happy to help.

Post: Property Management Marketing vs. Other Options

James Wilcox
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Bowling Green KY ~ Lexington, KY
  • Posts 1,346
  • Votes 574
Quote from @Lauren Robins:

Most of the platforms you’re considering are investor-friendly and designed to simplify the leasing process. Stessa, for example, is excellent for tracking income and expenses, but it doesn’t offer tenant screening or lease creation—so while it’s great for financial management, it’s not a complete management tool. TenantCloud stands out as a well-rounded platform for landlords who want to self-manage. It includes listing services, rent collection, lease creation, and even credit and background checks. Avail is similarly robust, offering legally compliant leases that are attorney-reviewed, as well as options for online payments and maintenance request tracking. BASELANE, while newer and slightly less established, still offers useful features like listings and tenant screening. Overall, TenantCloud and Avail are particularly well-suited for DIY landlords who want streamlined leasing and management tools.

You're right to be cautious about lease language—it's crucial for protecting yourself legally. The good news is that both TenantCloud and Avail offer lease templates that are updated regularly and designed to comply with local laws. TenantCloud’s leases are customizable and generally well-regarded, though it’s wise to review the details to ensure they match your specific property policies. Avail’s leases are crafted by legal experts and also tailored to meet local regulations, which provides an added layer of reassurance. Even with these benefits, a quick review or consultation with a local attorney can go a long way in making sure your lease covers everything you need.

Should You Manage the Property Yourself Using These Platforms?
Since you’re located near the property and have already had success with a marketing service, self-management could be a great fit. Using a platform like TenantCloud or Avail allows you to significantly reduce costs—especially when compared to paying 8–12% of monthly rent to a traditional property manager. You'll retain control over key decisions, from tenant screening to rent pricing and maintenance coordination. These platforms also offer automation tools for rent collection, communication, and maintenance tracking, freeing up your time while still keeping you involved. Being able to handle lease signing and tenant screening all in one place adds further convenience and efficiency.

Note: This information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. No attorney-client, fiduciary, or professional relationship is established through this communication.

Stessa does have tenant screening through RentPrep now.

Post: Trying to learn wholesaling

James Wilcox
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Bowling Green KY ~ Lexington, KY
  • Posts 1,346
  • Votes 574
Quote from @Nathan Nolan:

I want to try wholesaling too bc from what I'm reading, wholesalers try to make 5k-10k on each flip. Whereas as a realtor I'm making a small commission. 5-10k is way more to make on distressed properties than commission. I just want to branch out to have more side hustles than just commission. I'm trying to gain financial freedom sooner than later. 

Everything's negotiable, of course but generally, more leads mean more deals, more work, and ultimately more income. In wholesaling, you're often spending more on marketing than you would to secure a traditional listing as a real estate agent. That said, combining both strategies can make you more well-rounded. Not every property is ideal for a retail buyer, and the same goes for investors. The key is to connect with local flippers and investors so you can find the kinds of deals they're looking for. At the end of the day, it’s all a similar skill set.

Post: Trying to learn wholesaling

James Wilcox
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Bowling Green KY ~ Lexington, KY
  • Posts 1,346
  • Votes 574
Quote from @Nathan Nolan:

I have spoken to my broker, he is okay with it, but he has never done it so he can't teach me.

@Nathan Nolan you could ask another wholesaler and work with them or like I said tons of stuff online. Pretty straight forward though since your used to paperwork being a Realtor lol. You sell your interest position in the property (i.e. the paper) and not the property itself. Other than that you got to find the leads. I don't really understand why you would want to be a wholesaler when you are already a Realtor. Just find the deals, put under a listing contract, and put on the MLS. That would get more eyeballs anyway and probably make more money.

Post: Trying to learn wholesaling

James Wilcox
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Bowling Green KY ~ Lexington, KY
  • Posts 1,346
  • Votes 574
Quote from @Nathan Nolan:

I'm a realtor in Southern, KY trying to learn how to wholesale. Can anyone train me? I'd give a very fair cut of profit from each sale until I've learned to go on my own. 

@Nathan Nolan really there is a ton of information on that here but you should talk with your broker and make sure they are ok with you wholesaling. Not all brokerages would probably allow that even if you do have your license.