All Forum Posts by: Jason Berryhill

Hi BP!

I'm brand new to land buying and new construction, and I could really use your advice and guidance. I'm hoping to buy a piece of land east of Asheville (think Black Mountain, Swanna) and build a small A-frame home to use as a short-term rental.

This would be my first land purchase and first new build, and while I'm excited, I'm also aware that there’s a lot I don't know — and I don’t even know what I don’t know!

Here are some questions I have so far:

• How can I properly evaluate raw land before buying it, especially with short-term rental goals in mind?

• What hidden issues should I be on the lookout for (septic, zoning, utilities, access, etc.)?

• Who are the key people I need to bring onto my "team" early in the process?

• For those familiar with the area, what are realistic ballpark costs for land prep, utility installation, permits, and building a simple but nice A-frame? 

• Would you suggest buying land separately or looking for something that’s already part of a land/home package for a first-timer?

• What mistakes have you made (or seen others make) that I should try to avoid?

• Any recommendations for good local builders, prefab companies, or lenders that cater to this type of project?

• How much extra budget cushion would you recommend building in?

If you've done anything similar, I would love to hear your experience, even if it didn’t go perfectly. Thank you so much in advance for any advice, tips, or even just encouragement — it’s a little overwhelming but I'm excited to learn!

JB

Hi - Does anyone on BP operate a small corporate housing business in Austin TX? I currently run a successful one myself and am looking to network with other CH business owners in my area since this seems to be a niche model when operating on a smaller scale.

Thanks, Ryan! As long as big named companies and Californians continue to feed into Austin and home prices continue to appreciate 5%+ year over year, you can't look at that and not have excitement to plant roots in one of these gentrifying areas around the city. 

I'm solely looking at single/multi-family homes. I have a tight window of criteria but am happier to go into more detail.

Thanks! I've been wanting to find a way to Austin since I graduated from Texas A&M (despite being in enemy territory). I absolutely love it here.

Thanks, Jordan! I'm looking to pursue the BRRRR strategy (super original, I know). Austin is clearly an appreciation market and I'm looking for long-term holds vs short term flips. No, I live in an apartment with my girlfriend. Unfortunately, my desire to be close to the city rules out a lot of non-existent and/or expensive multi-family units available. If the right opportunity presents itself, that is something I would consider.

Thank you @Wale Lawal for the acknowledgment! I've stumbled upon several of your replies in other blog posts that I've found insightful. I look forward to jumping in.

Hi Everyone! My name is Jason Berryhill. I'm a Legal Tech sales consultant and moved to Austin TX 2 years ago when my company relocated from Houston. I was recommended to BP by a family friend who owns rental properties in Houston and recently joined the REIA Club in Austin. REI has been on my radar for quite some time and thanks to COVID, I've finally dedicated an enormous amount of time to educate myself.

With the Austin market experiencing significant growth and now having a framework understanding of REI strategies and processes, I'm excited to begin exploring investment opportunities. To say the least, I think I've gotten past the "paralysis by analysis" phase by finally narrowing down my preferred investment strategy and purchasing criteria with the help of BP's blogs and forums. I'm confident to lean on this community throughout this process and look forward to contributing when possible.