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All Forum Posts by: Karl B.

Karl B. has started 14 posts and replied 1795 times.

Post: Why Doesn't Everyone Invest In Real Estate?

Karl B.Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Erie, PA
  • Posts 1,819
  • Votes 2,867

The reasons:

1. They haven't found BP so they're not educated

2. They know a friend or family member who got burned in real estate

3. They're content with "sitting at home watching Dancing With The Stars" <--- that one is for Brandon Turner.

4. They invest in something else

5. They think they can't start investing in real estate because they have little to no money. 

Of course, we've all seen the light and know the truth, but the above reasons are most of the popular ones.

Post: Where the Heck Should I Move To? Please Help!

Karl B.Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Erie, PA
  • Posts 1,819
  • Votes 2,867
Originally posted by @Marshall Easlick:

That's just awesome! I'm happy for you. My closing was uneventful, which is always great. As I mentioned, it's new construction and the builder knows exactly what the market is and exactly what they can get away with, so the quality is lacking. However, I hope to be able to make it better with warranty work.

 That sounds like a plan. You should be able to rent it out in no time, if it isn't already rented. 

Post: Where the Heck Should I Move To? Please Help!

Karl B.Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Erie, PA
  • Posts 1,819
  • Votes 2,867
Originally posted by @Marshall Easlick:

How did it go, Karl? Did you close?

@Marshall Easlick Hi, Marshall. I did! I viewed the unit prior to closing and it has some work but isn't bad. The electric work won't be as intensive as I'd thought and most non electric-related repairs can be done by me. Had the upstairs tenants sign a new lease and will be working on the bottom unit (I've begun prepping it) as well as making a list for everything else that needs repaired. 

How was your closing?

Post: Where the Heck Should I Move To? Please Help!

Karl B.Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Erie, PA
  • Posts 1,819
  • Votes 2,867
Originally posted by @Steven Greenhill:
Originally posted by @Karl B.:
Originally posted by @Steven Greenhill:

Atlanta is great!

 I've heard a lot of nice things about Atlanta. I hear the people are very nice and people get along. I appreciate the message, Steven. 

 I absolutely love it there.... visited 2x only but i would move there if my business wasn't in nyc and florida and if the real estate wasn't so cheap -- in which case each deal would net me very little $$

 I've got a lot of research to do! :-)

Post: Where the Heck Should I Move To? Please Help!

Karl B.Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Erie, PA
  • Posts 1,819
  • Votes 2,867
Originally posted by @Ronald Rohde:

Texas gets my vote

 I've always liked the people of Texas as well as their governing ways and tax codes. So it's one of the states I really like. 

Post: Where the Heck Should I Move To? Please Help!

Karl B.Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Erie, PA
  • Posts 1,819
  • Votes 2,867
Originally posted by @Eric Barnett:

@Scott Wilson I think Dripping Springs is a great suggestion!  I'm looking to move there from Buda myself.  

Awesome! I will definitely look into it. It looks like they have some water falls and some nice woodsy areas in Dripping Springs. Austin is too expensive for me but it looks like there are several areas around it (Lago Vista and south of there - Dripping Springs) that have a lot of what I'm looking for. 

Post: Where the Heck Should I Move To? Please Help!

Karl B.Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Erie, PA
  • Posts 1,819
  • Votes 2,867
Originally posted by @Scott Wilson:

I'll plug Austin Texas again, particularly hill country west of the city. I live in Dripping Springs but was planning on moving to Colorado for years (from CA) until I measured all the generally criteria that a family man with 4 kids would... and we are thrilled here for over 2 years now!!

 @Scott Wilson Thank you, Scott. I'm definitely looking into that area. Patty had suggested I check out Lago Vista and the Google image photos were impressive. If you know of any specific towns in the Hill Country area, please let me know. I appreciate it very much!

Post: 100 Yr Old Homes- Worth the Hassle?

Karl B.Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Erie, PA
  • Posts 1,819
  • Votes 2,867

My 4-unit is from 1903. It's in very good shape, the basement isn't half bad and the home is structurally sound. 

Make certain you have a good inspector check the place out - as you likely know, old homes can have cast iron pipes, knob and tube wiring, etc. 

I suppose your area does play a part (especially if termites are bad) but I do remember a BP podcast where a woman had invested with her significant other in Salem, MA and they had at least one property that was many hundreds of years old. 

Post: Buying a Duplex Across from a Cemetery

Karl B.Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Erie, PA
  • Posts 1,819
  • Votes 2,867

I don't think it's a big deal. There could be some pluses - like less noise. 

Growing up, my friend lived across from a cemetery and his family and I would often go for nice walks in there. It was like a nice, quiet park (with headstones, sure). 

I'd rather live across from a cemetery than a place where people are loud, like a bar. 

Post: Where the Heck Should I Move To? Please Help!

Karl B.Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Erie, PA
  • Posts 1,819
  • Votes 2,867
Originally posted by @Bill Bindseil:

@Karl B 

I still have friends that never left Erie, and several have been very successful in niches of RE in Erie. Yes, LECOM and Erie Insurance are the engine for jobs and the Medical Centers.  Also, around Gannon University there is student housing opportunities. It is a poor education system and the labor unions haven't kept current with the times. Lord Corp., AMSCO, GE have largely pulled out to new non-labour and high tech states.  

If you have any deals in Erie, I have contacts that may be of assistance.  Let's see how the Mayoral election turns out and if there is some change in the wind.  Good luck

I appreciate it. Thank you. There are deals to be had. Closing on a duplex on Monday off of West 12th.  If you know of a good handyman, please let me know. Mine is booked up until mid-September. :-/