All Forum Posts by: Jeffrey McKee

Hattie, What would you consider is the best strategy for driving for dollars? What do you look for, who do you contact, and how do you initiate negotiations and offers? I'll definitely look into reaching out to Jerry.

I went to my first REA meeting in Arlington today. Met some great contacts, some seasoned investors and others new to the business like myself. Everyone seemed to have their own opinion of best practice. One guy suggested a four plex over duplex any day because of insurance costs on the duplex. I'm looking for a duplex, tri, or quad in the Dallas area if anyone has a seller or suggestions on how to generate leads off mls. I will definitely be returning to a Rea meeting, but if there is something closer to Dallas please share! Thanks, Jeffrey

I found a duplex that is requiring the plot of land next door to be sold with it.  Would you consider a deal like this. If so what type of negotiations would need to be in place and what would be the best type of financing on the deal?   

Doug, 

Your response really put things in perspective for me.  Thanks for the reply 

Hattie,

You are correct about room needing window and a closet for it to be considered a bedroom. 

Jeffrey 

Hello, 

I am looking to buy a duplex as a rental property in dfw area.  I have found one that is currently tenant occupied, and I was curious about code/standards for windows in bedrooms.  This is a strange property in that a good percentage of the windows have been removed and bricked over.   It seems this happened some time ago, because the brick type matches the exterior of the house and the current owner knew nothing about why or when this happened.  It must have been more economically feasible to just brick up the windows rather than replace them all. . . . Pretty strange I know, but what I am wondering is if i will need to bring the property up to code before being able to rent it out with out facing liability of not having a window in each of the bedrooms.  Does anyone have a good resource for Texas rental code law/standards.  I know the property could be grandfathered in since it was built some time ago.   

Let me know!  

@Joe Gore I made the suggestion that he speak to the broker. I understand now that the realtor cannot go to the seller directly, but I can. When I find a deal with numbers that work and a property that meet my criteria I will not hesitate to contact broker and/or seller myself. That is of course if the agent has been contacted and is not responding to my agent. This duplex was only a 1bedroom 1bath per side and I have refined my criteria to at least a 2 bedroom 1 bath.
@Hatti Dizmond. If the seller was not being represented my agent could still reach out to them correct?
@Bob Bowling Thanks for the suggestion about tortious interference. I will keep that in mind regarding contractual relationships and interruptions of business.

My Realitor has been trying to set up a showing for a duplex in Dallas but the listing agent will not respond and just recently they cancelled showings. I suggested we reach out to seller directly although my Realitor responded it is considered unethical. Is it unethical for me to contact seller or just the Realitor? I am pretty sure it has not gone under contract and it is still active on mls. Any advice?

Jimmy, It would all depend on the price and rental income. I'm curious to know where these new builds are happening in Collin and Denton county? Regarding uptown i am not sure if there are duplexes, but condos are everywhere.

Hello, I ran into a road block with my lender on a duplex property I found in Texas. He is telling me that the minimum I can put down on a duplex when purchasing both sides as owner occupant is 15 percent. This is for a conventional 30 year loan. Does anyone have experience with this or know if it is possible to put less then 15 percent? Thanks