All Forum Posts by: Joe San

Thanks for your reply. I can’t believe the prices on new construction. Nothing makes sense right now. 

My town has a high supply of lots that are Zoned for two Families. Rental market is super tight currently and any duplexes that hit the market end up in a bidding war.

Single family properties are not selling all that well though.

Anyone have experience converting these single family homes into duplexes? I feel this could be a way to meet the required return on investment numbers for buy hold rentals at this time.

If new build is $150 + a square foot what are ballpark costs to convert from one to two family? I know this is an answer that will vary from house to house but any info is appreciated. Thanks

$85k for 5 year old condos that rent for $1500 a month?  Why aren’t people scooping these up ?

Have been looking around central NJ and can’t seem to find anything that makes sense to buy right now in apartments. A piece of land just came up for sale about 3 doors down from one of my properties and it’s zoned for two families. 

What’s the cheapest I could build if I was to GC the property myself ?  I have the time and a good family friend can consult me along the way who just got done building in the same town.


I would even go the modular route if it was cheaper.  I am hearing $200/Sq ft from some people  which sounds crazy to me, no small properties would cash flow with costs that high. 

Any insight is appreciated. Thanks 

Hunterdon county 

Hello All, 

About to get started on my first project soon and will be needing an electrician, someone to remodel a bathroom, and someone to hang new cabinets in the kitchen.  What resources do you use to find quality people for these jobs, I will be my own GC for this project.  Does anyone use Angie's list, Thumbtack, Home Advisor, or should I just get numbers from trucks outside Home Depot and have a couple guys come out to give me estimates and get the one that will do it for a fair price but also I get a good vibe from?  Any advice is appreciated in finding good work, thanks.  

Thanks for your reply. The more I read the more I feel that it’s a personal decision. Could I get away with it ? I’m sure. Would I feel good about it and sleep well at night knowing a tenant could be running 2 space heaters, and a surround sound system and TVs video games and appliances and something overloads. I dunno I just can’t sleep well knowing this, almost every insurance company I called for quotes asked me if it’s been replaced so they must deem it a risk. 

Wow Karl, only $2k to remove it from the entire duplex?  I am possibly running into the same issue having to have it removed from a duplex but Im reading quotes up to $10k.  

I will be renting out this property and with how many devices and electronics people use which seems to be ever increasing I think in order to sleep well I wouldn't purchase the place unless the electrical has been upgraded.  I seem to see half people say it doesn't matter and half say it could definitely pose a fire hazard.  I guess I will need to see how much of it is in the house and how much it would cost to replace and then see if its a deal killer or not for me.  Thanks for everyone's opinion and input appreciated .