All Forum Posts by: Kevin Keith Beck

Hey Yaz,

I saw your post while conducting a search for "green building" within Biggerpockets. Sadly, from what I see and read, little effort is made by the Biggerpockets community and RE investors at-large to go "green" unless there's a payback.

Well, I can tell you as a Green Builder and Educator, building or remodeling in an environmentally conscious way, adds more benefits than mere dollars. I have built and remodeled hundreds of homes utilizing green materials, energy efficient products, and high-performance building techniques that most builders have never heard of simply because the practices I utilize are ABOVE code. That's right, you can build above code if you so desire. Contractors will sometimes tell me how proud they are that they "build to code". I tell them, "congratulations, you just earned a "C" on your report card.

When the code doesn't demand something it's a hard sell “green” to most clients/investors who have a limited budget and need every dollar for their projects. When I'm invited to consult on a project or build a home for a client, they know I'm a high-performance builder and with that comes a higher price tag. For almost every project we’re involved with we can value-engineer the design and or materials selection so there is NO increase in budget for the project which will ultimately be: safer, healthier, more energy efficient (net-zero being the goal), easier to maintain and insure, and feel more comfortable.

Investors, in my opinion, are missing an opportunity by not embracing green. I have seen everything from single-family homes, apartments, and large multi-family buildings go green/near-net-zero and at the same time: increase revenue, decrease warranty issues, decrease turnover, and have happier renters who take better care of their units. 

Just because a tenant is the one paying the utility bill should not stop a conscientious investor from "greening" their properties.

I always cringe when all folks do is complain about low-flow shower heads and their disappointments with unattractive LED lighting. These are the folks who didn't do their homework. There are virtually replacements for every appliance, plumbing fixture, and lighting fixture that is much more energy/water efficient than their predecessors that you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. It’s finding the right educated/experienced contractor to pull it all together is the trick. 

Take care and good luck!

As you were informed already:

Right out of the Water Department's files:

"All water meters and taps into public water mains must be installed by the City’s Public Utilities Department."

What part didn't you get??

Terms of the (lease) Agreement would dictate.  Sounds like you're locked in for a year unless you can negotiate with them.  If both parties agree to new terms (you pay them $x to vacate) you've created a new agreement.

Absolutely.

I disagree that "bad credit is indicative of lack of responsibility and accountability". Bad credit happens to a lot of people for a lot of different reasons.

Sure, you need to do your due diligence and understand all the facts before "shaking hands" but it would be best to do so without preconceived judgements. 

Yep, ADVERTISING. 

I've had posts pulled for a lot less:(

The responsibility lies with the HOA as far as maintenance and repairs deemed necessary. Seldom do HOAs have in-house construction supervision, especially for large capital improvement projects (like reroofing). This is why they hire Project Managers to oversee these projects. The PMs should be providing the HOA with multiple bids for the work and the Board should make the final decision.

Ty,

Like most business relationships, it starts with relationships. 

Network whenever you can with various crowds. There are plenty of people out there willing to go with a Home Designer over an architect if they have the knowledge and integrity to deliver.

Ty,

Not sure about your state, but here in California a Home Designer (not a licensed Architect) can submit plans for habitats under 3 floors.

I have several friends who discovered they never needed to become architects to be good designers with great plans.

Just a thought

Hey Juan,

I'm trying to get a Wholesaling Team together here in San Diego. 

Want to play?