All Forum Posts by: Michael Johnson

@Steven Gesis thats cool. It mentioned that it was basically a cooperation between the local government and developers. How did that relationship start?

@Matt Speer Nice! But let me ask you this.. I dont know how the bedroom layout was but lets say it was 4 beds in one unit and 3 in the other.. Now that you have 7.. Is it commercial? It might be a dumb question but i wonder even as simply as a house with 5 rooms if I rent out each room individually is it commercial?

@Michaela G. aha, Im sure your color schemes work just fine. I like the advantage of having the door though, basically accomplishing the same thing, but not going so far as to not being able to undo it. 

Interesting.. best case scenario is that, you sledge hammer it down and sweep it up. (understatement of course) Worst case scenario is expensive re-engineering. In your opinion what is most common? load bearing trusses or non? Im sure it varies widely.... I understand a truss is the triangle support from wall to wall for the roof, but dont see what a "fink" truss is. @Mike Reynolds  Thanks!

That's an awesome idea @Michaela G. Im pretty sure you are a genius. I wonder.... You know those foldable walls that divide like classrooms or boardrooms, like accordion walls. I wonder if there are those but more secure. But then again thats me complicating things again.

@Mike Cumbie Thanks for clarifying that up and you prove alot of good points.

@Jeff B. Do you mean as far as a liability goes? or its just a good practice? 

Interesting, yea I was wondering about the load bearing walls. Would you ever consider doing it? Do you think it would be more "work than worth" Or in the right situation worth a try?  @Mike Reynolds

Nice thats cool. so it is possible. What is the STAR program? A quick look-up makes it seem to only be in NY? 

And its a good point that you bring up throwing away rental income just for an Idea. But Id imagine it would be a good tactic for a dilapidated property, or creative fix-flip 

Would you ever do it again? @Mike Cumbie

What if you rent out both sides and get some equity (just cause). Then tear down the wall separating the two units keeping load bearing in place. Put a huge area rug and a projector on the huge wall in the new "great room" Live in it until you sell it overpriced. This is just a random scenario, but there could be thousands of alternatives. Zoning issues? Tax issues?

Thanks!

I just feel like it would be cool. But im unsure if it is feasible let alone productive. Get a duplex rent it to people on both sides. when they move out tear down the wall.. put a huge area rug in the middle of the new "great room" rezone if necessary? and take care of whatever tax issues it causes. Then Live in it until you sell it overpriced?

I made all that up, there could be a thousand other variations on it. I just tried to get my point across. 

Is this possible? 

It just sounds like a cool Idea. I dont really know how it could be advantageous besides a creative exit strategy to force appreciation. But how would the zoning, taxes work out? anyone know?

Well first off most importantly, you dont sound "very new" at all. Give yourself some more credit, you seem put together. 

Secondly.. Welcome! BP is great check out the blogs as well. Absorb everything. There are plenty of people in your area on here, I am sure.. You'll do just fine. 

Best of luck, 

-Johnson

others can advise you on specifically what you asked cause I sure dont know.. I will just go ahead and remind you be the best problem solver you can.. Help dad out. I cant fathom burying a child. And I am one.