All Forum Posts by: Kate Robb

@John White I do love reading and stoneham! Does that count as north??

@Eric Taylor I agree, but it can't just go up and up forever with no correction, the market will always be cyclical, right? I read an article on speculation of a global recession soon - I know there is always speculation, but hey it could happen! Was just curious if you thought Boston was in a bubble or not! Love hearing others thoughts!

@John White yes this is ideally what I'd like to do - even open to a single family with an inlaw for me to live in. But yes you're right, not going to happen anywhere near Boston with 700k 2 families! I would move, but not as familiar with the rental market outside the 95 ring, I guess more research is needed on my part

wow @Eric Taylor , interesting....curious what you think will happen in Boston in the long run? This appreciation cant be a constant forever and ever!

haha @Mike Hurney - I dont have a ton of money, that's the problem - it's where to start! I'm "young", and while I would have plenty of money to buy something not in the northeast, it doesn't go far in our lovely Boston!

@Eric Taylor ok, that makes sense. I do not have 30% down for the cost of those houses in the area you mentioned, so I'm guessing I'd have to start smaller at this point in my life. I'd love to go the route of buying a multi-unit and living in one and renting the others to save more - but again in Boston that isn't really an option currently for me unless I find the almost nonexistent deal! I'm really weighting my limited options now - I'm gonna make this happen one way or another!

@Paul Timmins I think of that too! Someone told me they bought a fourplex for 125k, can you imagine?! Although my old landlord bought her watertown 2 fam for close to that in 95' and now rakes in 1850 a month from the bottom unit! The real question is the same I posed to Eric -  can an investor get positive cash flow with the inflated prices here right now, with these prices? I'm leaning towards no! 2 Families at 650-800k in waltham/watertown area...is it best to just look elsewhere? The insane appreciation that been happening the last couple years is not sustainable forever, in my opinion anyways...but what do I know, I'm a newbie!

Hi everyone! I'm a newbie here and in the RE investing world. I'm right outside of Boston, and as I'm sure you know, things are very pricey here with limited inventory. Is there really any room for a new investor to start here? Should I go somewhere else? Look forward to reading your input, thanks!

Following up on @David Cook with the treatment spray for $200 - it also pretty much never takes one spray to treat them, they're are usually pesticide resistant and a nightmare to get rid of, especially if the apartment is vacant (they're hiding until there is a host to feed on) - make sure that tenant doesn't drag her potentially infested mattress/couch/furniture through your buildings hallways so they spread! 

Here's to hoping that the tenant is lying about this issue for your sake.

Be careful with renting it to another tenant with this bed bug claim! The bed bug sniffing dogs are not always accurate, with false positives and pest control companies that aren't all that honest (have a dog alerting to it, and then saying you should spray- more money for them!)

Also, other tenants may not be reporting bites because not everyone reacts to the bites, so they may have them and not realize. 

They are very good hiders, hide in baseboards, electrical outlets, etc- so make sure the inspector is ridiculously thorough. 

With that said - it does sound like the tenant is stringing you along and not being truthful - but bed bugs are a nightmare for the people living in the apartment, so best to be safe then sorry- good luck!

Wow, I can image the time it took the old owner to paint the inside of that! 

Love the shower, installed almost exact same set up in my parents house a few months ago

...outside purple - looks like vinyl, you just painted over it? I thought you couldn't paint vinyl for some reason...anyways - amazing job!