All Forum Posts by: Jim Robertson

@Damian DelSignore Have you thought about a live in flip? Occupying a property as a flip would mean no tax for the first $250k of gains (if you live in the property for 2 years). Repeat every two years

@Pete Harper Have you had any vacancies yet? I'm curious how long properties sit on the market between tenants in that area. In Austin I get calls on vacant units the day the listing goes up. 

I have properties that I self manage and properties that are under management. Anything within a 20min drive from home I feel comfortable self managing. I own properties in San Antonio TX that are over an hour drive away. I went with a property manager because I don't have the network of contractors or the time to drive back and forth. It works for me. 

@Charlie Moore You could always hire out property management on one home and test the waters. 

My property manager just lost an eviction. It's a long story but the short version is that they did not have a properly formatted Pay or Vacate notice. 

I now owe opposing counsel's legal fees of $1750. Should my property manager be responsible for this expense and their legal expense? After all, they lost they eviction. I have a standard Texas Association of Realtors manager agreement.

A cash-out refinance will reduce your current cash flow on the existing properties. Have you thought about selling the duplexes through a 1031 exchange?

What neighborhood(s) did you purchase your duplex in? 

I am reviewing all my costs for 2018, as I'm sure many others are. I have a 4 plex in central San Antonio and had landscaping costs of $1240 this year. The front yard is about 400 square feet with a fence and few bushes. Backyard is parking and maybe some weeds. What are other people paying for landscaping, mowing, yard care, etc?

What is the cost of lawn care? I have a 4 plex with a relatively small yard and am paying $1240 annually (which I think is too high). It's just under $50 per visit, with a visit about every 2 weeks. More visits in summer and less in winter. 

@Seth Teel Thanks for all of the information. The house of one of many on the street with garage conversions, back houses or ADUs. After playing phone tag with the zoning office, I have been grandfathered in. Both structures were built well before 2001.

I purchased a single family home with a back house and was renting it out as 2 units. Front house 3/2 and back house 1/1. I received a letter from the city stating that the property is not zoned multi-unit and the units need to be reconfigured for single-family use. Any advice on getting the property re-zoned? Has anyone gone through a zoning change?

I could rent the property as a single unit 4/3 but the numbers are better splitting it into 2 units. 

@Justin Strackany Sent you a pm with contractors. Congrats on the purchase. what part of town?