Skip to content
×
Pro Members Get
Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
ANNUAL Save 16%
$32.50 /mo
$390 billed annualy
MONTHLY
$39 /mo
billed monthly
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
×
Try Pro Features for Free
Start your 7 day free trial. Pick markets, find deals, analyze and manage properties.
All Forum Categories
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

All Forum Posts by: Kayla Givens

Kayla Givens has started 19 posts and replied 230 times.

Post: Beginner Investor with VA loan

Kayla Givens
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Denver, CO
  • Posts 242
  • Votes 252

Hey, @Robert Hart! Congrats on getting started with your real estate investing journey! House hacking is the best and easiest way to get started and you'll find plenty of resources available to you here on BiggerPockets. 

Best of luck and hope you will keep us updated along the way!

Post: 20% or 3.5% down for my first multihome?

Kayla Givens
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Denver, CO
  • Posts 242
  • Votes 252

Hey @Milena Blanch! Congrats on the sale of your townhouse! Sounds like it was a great investment and will get you into a great multifamily property. If I was in your shoes, I would definitely house hack and use as little money down as possible. That way, I can keep cash in reserves for any major cap-ex, OR, I can use that money to make improvements to the property and charge more for rent. I'd also want to keep some of that cash so that after a year, when I was ready to move on to my next house hack, I had the money for another down payment.

It definitely comes down to the numbers - which makes more sense for you with cash flow? 

Excited for you and hope you will keep us updated on what you choose to do!

Post: BRRRR vs House Hacking

Kayla Givens
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Denver, CO
  • Posts 242
  • Votes 252

Hey, @Osama Syed! Whle I have not done the BRRRR method myself, I am an experienced house hacker and have found that to be a very easy way to get your foot in the door with real estate investing. If you're able to cash flow in your market while living there, that would be ideal but a lot of people see a HUGE increase in cash flow once they move on to their next property and house hack the next. Just my two cents! Good luck!

Post: Pre-qualified first time home buyer

Kayla Givens
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Denver, CO
  • Posts 242
  • Votes 252

Hey, @Vanessa Bautista! Congrats on your pre-approval! I'm going to echo what others have said here and recommend that you get started with a house hack. I don't know your market but if $300k can get you a multifamily property, I would buy one, live in one unit, and rent out the other. If that price point does not get you into multifamily, I'd recommend finding a single-family home that you can convert to a duplex with separate entrances or try a rent by the room strategy. After one year, you can rent your room/unit and repeat the process again with a new 3-5% down payment owner-occupied home!

Post: How many of you permit your Duplex thats a House Hack

Kayla Givens
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Denver, CO
  • Posts 242
  • Votes 252

Hey @Trevor Murphy! I have never personally applied for a permit from the city but know that many people in my area, Denver, do not do so. There are ways to get around permitting when you go to rent out your home and from what I know, zoning/permits are a complaint-based system. Meaning, don't upset the neighbors and you should be just fine :)

Post: Hello! My name is Ashton

Kayla Givens
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Denver, CO
  • Posts 242
  • Votes 252

Hey, @Ashton Moore! Welcome to BiggerPockets! You are definitely in the right space to continue learning and getting started with real estate investing. Do you have a timeline for when you'd like to get started? Keep us all updated and keep reading ALL the books! ;-)

Post: New Here - Just want a moment of your time

Kayla Givens
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Denver, CO
  • Posts 242
  • Votes 252

Hey, @Kian Faramarzi! If I could go back and tell my younger self some advice, it would be to NEVER STOP LEARNING! The words "I never want to own a house - too much work" came out of my mouth at one point and if I could go back and slap myself in the face I would do it 100 times. Spend time getting familiar with what you want to invest in. Learn all the strategies, create your own, talk with people that are doing it already. 

The easiest way to get your foot in the door is to house hack - buy a single-family or multi-family home, live in one room/unit, rent the others, rinse and repeat a year later. 

Sounds like you're already on the right path by being here - just keep learning and asking questions and like @Luke Trovinger said, get started!

Post: Seeking Advice House Hacking For First Deal In Chattanooga

Kayla Givens
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Denver, CO
  • Posts 242
  • Votes 252

Hey, @Korbin Ensley! Congrats on getting into the real estate game! When do you take your test?

For house hacking, you're definitely on the right track. It's one of the easiest ways to get started and you'll be able to take advantage of low down payment, lower cost of living/cash flow, and, in a year, rent out your unit and do it all again! 

Did you have any specific questions regarding your first deal? Happy to connect and answer any questions you might have!

Post: How do I buy my first rental property?

Kayla Givens
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Denver, CO
  • Posts 242
  • Votes 252

Hey, @Nick Henry! Welcome to the wild world of real estate investing! I wish I had thought to get started in my early 20's like you!

I think you're on the right path here - sounds like you've got a good chunk of capital ready to be invested and a decent price range to work with. I would highly recommend house hacking to get started - lower cost of living/potential cash flow, low down payment (3-5%), and after a year, rent out your place and do it all over again!

Post: How does a 27 year old become a real estate developer ?

Kayla Givens
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Denver, CO
  • Posts 242
  • Votes 252

Hey, @Phil Pat! I think @Scott Mac said it best - find someone that is doing exactly what you want to do and reach out to them. I had some luck with this in Denver as I found someone who, when I read about her business and profile, was doing exactly what I had envisioned for myself in the future. You can look here, LinkedIn, Real Estate Investing meet ups, etc. Start networking and find yourself a mentor! :)