All Forum Posts by: Joe Funari

@Scott Rohweder check out this link to the VA to get scoop on the VA Housing assistance programs:

https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/disability-h...

But you may need to get more information from this potential buyer about this VA program they are referring to. Documentation would be helpful too. Typically VA requires the owner of the property be a fellow veteran that qualifies for the VA Loan Guarantee program.

I am a veteran and a Military Relocation Professional Realtor too. I have extensive experience with the VA Guarantee program and housing assistant grants. What your referring to appears fishy on the surface. And if it smells like a fish....

@Roy Gottesdiener @Chinyere Okoli I hope I can answer your questions. I am a fellow investor and Realtor working in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area of Texas. Great market because of constant job growth, very high occupancy rates, low purchase price for a good 3/2/2 home too. Also each state in the US is very different in its laws with regards to landlord/tenant relations. Texas is what we call very landlord friendly. In short, laws favor us landlords when it comes to landlord/tenant relations. I could keep going on and on about the advantages of this market. But more importantly I have a network of attorneys, property management company's, and real estate attorneys, to help you with your investment needs. More importantly I have licensed and reputable lenders that work with out of state investors to lend them monies to help them acquire investment properties. Thus, you can leverage your $250K to purchase more than just one property here in the DFW area. Send me a PM if you want to learn more.

That is good to hear. My experience, out of country family deployments make great tenants. Remember, the spouse that is not the soldier is really the one that runs the house. Not the one in uniform. As my wife use to say when I was on active duty when I walked in the door my rank came off. She declared she was "the General of this house." We have been happily married for +17 years....

@Cosette Trantow @Charlie MacPherson Cosette, Charlie was absolutely correct about getting the jump on the third party sites when it comes to new listings. For this reason I always try to set up custom searches for clients. Because the search is customized to meet their needs. Plus, we can keep making changes to it to include or not include areas in a large metro area such as the Dallas/Ft. Worth area I work as a Realtor. I don't mind setting up searches for clients so long as they are honest if they are looking in other markets as well. Just last month had set up a search for a client. But they were honest that they were considering other markets. I even went and took videos of properties and submitted offers for them that weren't accepted. They were able to get property in another market and wanted to wait until closing to search again. This does happen. But if an agent isn't willing to set up a custom search then they aren't really helping you at all. Its not just about the sale for me. Its to help educate you as a fellow investor. In short, don't make the same mistakes I have done in the past.

@Account Closed I am a Realtor and fellow investor working with foreign investors in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. My experience, plus network of property management, contractors, inspectors, etc. are at your disposal. I even have lenders that will lend to foreign investors. I know your not considering that now. But perhaps int he future in an effort to grow your portfolio faster. Please  send me a PM if you consider the DFW market in the future.

@Victoria S. I am a Realtor that works with fellow investors to find investment deals for rentals or flips. But as far as "scooping" up deals for myself I only take first right of refusal on deals as a results of my own direct marketing campaigns. But I always find both on MLS and off MLS deals for my clients. I never have to resort scooping up deals for myself. Fellow investors are repeat clients as they either come back to purchase more properties, or sell on a 1031 exchange and buy even more properties. The profit on one "scooped" deal isn't worth it to me. Repeat business is much more profitable.

@Jamila Thompson I would strongly discourage you from pursuing an MBA in Real Estate. I personally have earned 4 degrees and one of them is an MBA. Degrees are too expensive and really don't teach you what you need to know to become a real estate investor. You will gain greater experience by actually becoming a Real Estate Investor and acquire an investment property and hold it as rental. Start with a 3/2/2 easiest to rent and best cash flow long term and amortization. Plus, mistakes you make with a rental aren't as painful as a flip property. Learned from my personal experiences. Too many first time investors jump into flips. The "Gurus" ,such as Robert Kyiosaki, will be happy to keep taking your money in training too. In the words of Master Yoda Do or Do Not there is no try. So "Do" go out and invest in real estate. There are also cheaper ways to get an REI education. Formal education is not one of them. find a local REI club meeting. they will have classes a whole lot cheaper. Plus you can mingle with other investors and get good "free" advice. As I always tell me fellow investors - "Words are Free."

@Nicole Washington never heard of the form you suggested. But in the entire state of Texas you have to use the One to Four Family Residential Contract (Resale) TREC No. 20-14, 2-12-18 updated to get an existing single family up to a fourplex under contact with the seller. Then once you have a fully executed contract then you assign it to another buyer thru an executed amendment between you and new buyer. If your not working with an investor friendly realtor you can go to Bullforms Texas and generate these contracts. I am a Realtor in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and work with many wholesalers and first time investors.

@Allen Smith I am a Veteran and a Realtor with a Military Relocation Professional designation. So I have experience working with military relocations. Without getting into nuances of federal law friendly foreign service personnel are afforded the same rights as US military personnel. So the 30 day out clause of a lease applies to them as well. You can request a copy of their orders too. But also on their tenant application make sure you get their unit office contact info and commanding officer. If you have any issues with the tenants you can always reach out to that unit. But only as a last resort. But 99% of the time they will be good tenants. But our Canadian comrades do a lot for the global war on terror. So I would personally have no issues having them as tenants. 

@Aaron Lewis when you do look for a Realtor make sure you specify the area your looking. Also there are plenty of us “Investor Friendly” Realtors here on BP. Some of us, including myself, that have rentals and do flips too. So we understand the importance of good sold and rent comps depending on your exit strategy. I focus on the Dallas/Ft. Worth area helping fellow investors buy and sell their investment properties. Good luck in your search.