All Forum Posts by: Katherine Fusco

Sorry, for trying to analyze a property and estimate the deal.

I have a question about what all is included under the term "maintenance."

There are a few rules of thumb out there for estimating maintenance costs (e.g. 1% of property price/year, 10-15% of rent, $1/sqft/year, etc.).

My question is what falls into this category of “maintenance” and what should be accounted elsewhere in the budget? Is this just a category for all repair calls (HVAC, plumber, handyman) and nothing else? I have been given the sense that maintenance means things like routine repairs (new doorknob, broken light fixture, a stuck drain) routine preventative upkeep (winterizing, etc.),

Are landscaping/mowing costs included in these rules of thumb?

Snow removal?

Pest Control?

Trash/sewer/water costs?

Are tenant turnover costs (e.g. fresh paint) included?

I’ve seen these treated as both part of and additional to “maintenance” in different places. So, what’s maintenance?

@Matthew Drouin I live in Reno, NV, where everything is very inflated by CA investors, so it's a much harder market to get into as a new investor. Also, I have a lot of family in Rochester, NY and we visit the area with some frequency.

@Keith Moon Thanks so much for the rec!

Hi, I grew up in Rochester and my family is still in the area, so I'd love to begin investing. I have some familiarity with the neighborhoods, but I know a lot has changed. I wonder if any of you have recommendations for realtors or realty groups that work with out of town investors? Thanks so much!

@Griffin Schermer Thanks for these! I've read Deep Work and loved that one. This is also a helpful list because I've read in personal finance for a while, but not in real estate specifically.

Hi wonderful people!

I'm a newbie who wants to invest in my hometown (the market where I currently live is too hot for me to start out in). I'm familiar with the area and the housing stock, but I don't know many real estate professionals in that area. How do you pick a realtor to work with when you're not local? What are good signs? What are walk-away warning signs? 

Thanks so much!

@Taylor L. Thanks so much! Is it your sense that it's fine to join meetup groups in areas other than where I live if that's where I'm interested in investing?

Thanks @Wale Lawal! I appreciate the encouragement! 

Hi Everyone, I'm a newbie to the world of real estate investing. I've been consuming FI-related content, including BiggerPockets Money, but I've always thought of myself as someone who would do the safe and easy path of index fund investing. Lately, however, I've become interested in the idea of real estate investing. I've purchased a primary residence but have no experience with real estate investing.

I'm someone who likes a plan and feels best when educated. Besides listening to the main BiggerPockets podcast (I just subscribed), what content (books, webinars, podcasts, checklists) helped other scared newbies feel ready to take the plunge?

Thanks so much!