All Forum Posts by: John Seitz

Hello, I've been practicing estimating rehab projects on my own - viewing properties, pricing out repairs and updates online, etc. I am a newbie (I have yet to purchase or flip a property) so I'm not terribly confident in my numbers yet. Are there any DIYers out there that could recommend an estimating tool? Are they all BS? I figured could do my own estimating along with an online tool just to compare and contrast. I don't think I would ever solely rely on a third-party tool. Thanks.

Hello, I am a newbie and a fix and flip virgin. I'm spending a lot of time learning how to analyze properties and finding that the current market offers some pretty slim margins for profit. I'm a DIYer so most of the work and savings will come from NOT using GCs. I'm curious how people are making a profit when using the more costly option of using a GC. Are you accepting smaller profits? Do you just have great relationships with your GC where they're willing to give up their profit margins for volume work? Am I figuring something wrong? Thanks.

 Excellent point. I should have specified this was for a flip, not rental. Thanks. Also, thank you for your honest evaluation of my sanity :)

I live in St. Louis, MO where we have many beautiful old well-built brick homes, many with (potentially) beautiful hardwood floors throughout. I love hardwood floors. I think carpeting is a crime against humanity. Even when I see a property with new carpeting in near-mint condition my first thought is to rip it out and polish up the hardwood underneath. Is this sane? Am I removing value when I remove perfectly good carpeting? Are there certain rooms (eg bedrooms) where carpeting is more acceptable?

I've been doing my research, but there are so many options it's difficult to decide. I haven't seen a lot of posts about tools, but i thought I'd give it a shot. Does anyone have experience with different types: conventional air spray, compliant, HVLP, air assist, electrostatic or rotary atomizer? What about brands? Thanks.

 Ricardo,

These are some excellent points. I hadn't thought about it this way, but I agree with what you're saying. It makes a lot of sense. Gracias por la ayuda.

 Flip

Ceiling fans seem to be a point of contention with designers/remodelers. What are your thoughts? Should we replace them with new lighting, update them with a newer ceiling fan, or burn them at the stake?

Thanks Jaron. 

Yes, I have managed to work the word 'egress' into many a conversation lately :) Along that note, If I built a room the size of a bedroom in the basement and put a closet in it (knowing I could not advertise it as a bedroom) isn't that still nearly as valuable to a potential buyer? That may be more of a hypothetical question, but I've ruminated on that a lot because of the whole egress dilemma. The real estate agent and the inspector might not like it, but it's still a room. However, that does cause some guilt since the egress would be for safety.

Getting back to the bathroom question, I would pay someone for the rough plumbing and electricity and do the rest myself. There's a good amount of light and the basement is currently wide open as far as the floor plan goes; outside of the foundation, there's not a single wall.

Good point on going with the full vs half.

Hello, 

I'm new to the field and looking for advice. I'm eyeballing a house with an unfinished basement that is in really good shape (dry as a bone, well-maintained, etc.) The main bath on the first floor (the only bath) is pretty small and tight. There's no way to expand it without knocking out the back wall of the house which I don't want to do at this point. I was thinking of refinishing part of the basement, would it be worthwhile to add a bath? Half or Full? There is currently no plumbing for a bath in the basement so this would be from scratch.

Thanks, John