All Forum Posts by: J. Martin

 Matt,

I believe in market cycles, and considering doing this the next time around... Put my money into something that isn't volatile during the best part of the unemployment rate, then cycle more into the Bay when the unemployment rate hits a high and starts improving. 

What markets stay most stable/flat and produce good cash flow, from what you're looking at? 

@Johnny Hoang, 

I have 20 listings from San Jose to Richmond. 
You can give me a ring for some of the details. Or we'll be talking about it at the Summit in October also. 

The legislation for short-term rentals that's been coming down the pipeline in a lot of cities doesn't help, and longer term isn't as profitable. 

To be honest, it doesn't make quite as much as I thought it would over the year, relative to when I started. But let's me do what I want to do, so can't complain ;) Others are crushing it w/ the right mix. Search around on the site. There are lots of examples. 

Just definitely don't base your full-year numbers off mid-May to mid-August, which is super prime time in the South Bay/Peninsula. 

@Johnny Hoang,

I do exactly what you're doing. 
@Carlos Carbajal is correct. Summer is WAY more busy. Dec/Jan/Feb are way slower.

Save some of that sweet summer cash for a colder winter! ;)

Easily a 25-40% difference in revenue, depending on how you're doing it.. 
I think I've been doing it for about a year and a half in San Jose. From Redwood City to MV to SJ, pretty similar dynamic. The swing isn't quite as wide up in the East Bay - but partially because summer isn't quite as explosive either.. 

Squirrel away some of those nuts! ;)

I'm hiring an event planner to keep everything together the last 2.5 months before the big SF Bay Summit on Oct 7 & 8, 2017. The major responsibilities are to make sure everything gets done!! But we have a lot of procedures, most of the speakers finalized, sold lots of tickets already, most food and drink stuff at least inventoried. There is also potential to do this work more permanently. 

The position is paid (compensation dependent on experience). 
You'll also make amazing real estate connections with lots of investor attendees, and have a chance to get in the mix with some of the biggest BP hitters. 

If you have 25+ hours/wk available and experience or interest in event planning - or know someone who may be interested - please shoot me an email!
[email protected]

Looking forward to the event! :)

The job is remote. So you can do it from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. However, if you're around the Bay Area in Marin, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, or Sacramento, you'll be even closer to get out to the event!

Looking forward to hearing from you!

 Hi Scott, 
And welcome to the game! I have a couple single family homes in Richmond, and some 4plexes and duplex in Oakland and Richmond. The 4plexes definitely make more cash flow. The SFH has appreciated more.. I don't think that's unusual. So consider your cash flow goals when comparing SFH to small multi-unit. Out of state, you'll also get a different tenant base between the two. You mentioned maybe house hacking or going out of state if you can't find something. If you like living in Oakland, you should utilize the most advantageous loophole in Oakland's rent control rules - the owner-occupant exemption for triplexes and duplexes. This is a way to transition a property and unlock higher rents and value over time. I highly recommend considering it.

Regarding your rent question..  I wouldn't be surprised to see higher-end rents fall by 10-20%. My thought is that with any multi-year double-digit year over year increases (with rents up ~50-100% in the Bay Area over 7 years), it's not that unreasonable to give back the last couple years of increases, at the end of a cycle. I think it's highly unlikely it would drop back to where it was. But I wouldn't be surprised to see it give a little back. 

I haven't invested out of state yet. But I think we've already experienced most of the run-up we're going to get in this real estate cycle, so I'm not bullish on RE prices in the Bay Area. Could keep going, but most of the gains have already been had IMHO. This is different than unlocking value by transitioning a building, as referenced earlier... You'll see lots of debates on here about Bay Area appreciation vs cash flow out of state. 

@Katie P. just announced a meetup in Oakland if you can make it. I'm in Seattle for the summer, but will be back in Sept. Hope to meet you then! Good luck Scott! :)

@Katie P.,

I will be in Seattle for most of the summer, but happy to put it up on my meetup ground and send it out if you want some more folks to come :)

I'll miss you all!
I recommend attending to anyone who can make it!

 You're too kind. 
Tiffany, how's it going? Tiffany, Jan, and Kevin,
join me on the way up with the top down if you want!
The summer evenings are so nice here :)

@Jen L.,

Glad you can make it! This 3rd Summit will be the best yet! :)

@Adam London and @Senika Levias,
The super-pre-sale price expires after tomorrow (Sat, 7/22), so jump on it if you want the cheapest ticket prices! Senika, jump in with Adam! Or Adam, share the event with your Facebook friends to get some more on board ;)

Senika,
I'm excited too! It's such a great group of people. Please reach out to anyone who's been :)
You'll hear the same ;)

Excited to be coming back to this awesome venue, with lots of space for networking, 2 speaking stages, and happy hour drinks!! ;)

@Johnson H.,

I'll be in Seattle for the summer, or would definitely come! 
I highly recommend this as probably the best group of folks in the Bay Area. (including my own meetup! lol)

Good luck with the SF deal Johnson. I'm sure there's no shortage of money out there looking for a home! ;)

@Troy Fisher, 

An hour from my Airbnb in West Seattle..!? 

@Elizabeth Colegrove, you want to go out there earlier in the day and hang out? 
@Stan K., I'm in Seattle. Whatcha up to?