All Forum Posts by: John S.

Very interesting, @Russell Brazil. Is your $1,200 rental a 1 bedroom? 

Also, what do you think of section 8 housing in Virginia (Falls Church area)? I was looking at a place that rents out $1,200 for a 1 bedroom, and is a section 8 area.

Thanks @Russell Brazil. I'm thinking 1.3k/month for a studio - would you say that that's high enough generally? Not too familiar with SE, although I've heard horror stories - what's the rent there?

Thanks @Russell Brazil! I'm tempted to invest in DC too, but am concerned about the tenant-landlord laws (how they favor the tenant if they don't pay). Thus, I've stuck to Virginia. Do you think there's a real increase in cost/time to resolve (in DC vs. VA) if the tenant doesn't pay rent and just squats?

Hi David - could you please help me understand how different types of properties in the same area will move differently in a market? I thought that a general area all moves around similarly because of the people there. E.g. if lots of jobs leave the area, then condos, commercial, land, etc will all go down. Do you see that differently? Would love to learn!

@Leslie Pappas - that's really cool. How do you know enough about those properties, given you're located in CA? Do you take trips or have you lived there before?

@Leslie Pappas - yep, makes a lot of sense! Curious, what areas are you and your clients looking right now that have good growth in population and income?

Also, @Leslie Pappas, can you elaborate on why you prefer above-average income areas? Is it mainly because the jobs are more recession proof, or better tenants, or another reason? I would have thought the desirable/responsible above-average income folks would prefer to buy a home outright instead of renting, resulting in a negative selection bias for the people who still rent. 

@David Ferrette - it's very interesting that you say different types of properties (multi-units, apts, commercial, land, etc) move differently within a market. I would have thought they moved pretty closely together - e.g. if an industry in the area is removed, then lots of jobs move out of the city, so then home prices / rent prices / land prices all move down because fewer people demand it in general. Can you give an example of where the prices of the various assets would move differently?

@Ray Johnson - thanks for sharing your experience. It's great to see a good crowd in the DMV area. I think I'll focus more on the Virginia area because I know it better. Love this community for helping me think through it!

@Jeremy Brown, very good point, very good point. I think I'm gonna see it more as a business, where we have to focus and get good and big enough in one section before just diversifying and not being really good at any. Thanks for your insights!