All Forum Posts by: Kyle Spearin

@Mitch Walker it sounds like you have a lot of experience traveling throughout the south for work. I'd personally think about where YOU want to live and work backwards from there. You can find houses in any market, so you might as well enjoy where you're living if it's your primary residence. 

Don't worry about being in a trendy market if you have a desire to be in a certain place over another-- there are successful real estate investors in every part of this country. That's why real estate is so awesome!

@Tyler Wilkins welcome to the BP community! It sounds like you're setting yourself up to head in the right direction. Would it be easier to find another house and house hack while renting out your current property? You could fashion the next one like a live-in flip/house hack hybrid which would give you renovation experience for future BRRRRs and it would be less out of pocket.

@Tommy Restivo thank you for sharing, what lessons did you learn?

@Joseph Kirk I'm not sure what it would cost to get the house metered separately, but that's one option. Moving forward, you could also include utilities in as part of the rent. I think it would get messy if you try to split it with the tenants or leave that entirely up to them while you're also living there-- but that's just my opinion :)

Good luck!

@Joshua Poitras the Boston market is definitely crazy! I think it really comes down to an individual investor's strategy and goals. It's very common to buy a 3 family and convert it into condos, especially in an area like Dorchester. 

Other people are doing medium term rentals with these units-- there are so many hospitals here that I'd imagine it's a great market for renting to traveling nurses.

Another thing could simply be people betting on appreciation. Unlike other cities, Boston can't really build more unless it builds on top of what already exists. The limited supply and increasing demand could eventually raise property values and rents. This is definitely a long term strategy, but for those sitting on a lot of capital it might be worth bleeding for a little now to get a big payday later.

@Roman Andersonthanks for sharing this!

@Matt Pursley thanks for sharing! Really interesting strategy of converting a duplex into a single family to rent by the room.I love that you tried something new and continue to embrace challenges that help you grow.

@Shawn Mcenteer is a North New Jersey house hacker, I'd highly recommend connecting with him :)

@Lauren N. Very cool that you have options to live state side or abroad. I'm not sure how this works abroad, but I'd guess that at the very least a lender in the US would count your DTI from anything purchased abroad.

In terms of buying outside of the US, I'm assuming you have deep knowledge of the country, language, and rules pertaining to that country. If not, I think you should stick to what you know best and adjust course with more research and experience.

Looking forward to learning from an expert here!

@Kashif Ali Khan I understand your frustration and concern regarding the dog smell issue left behind by your previous tenants. It's essential to address this problem promptly to ensure the health and well-being of your new tenants and maintain the value of your property.

Here are a few recommendations you could consider:

Deep Cleaning: Start by performing a thorough deep cleaning of the affected areas. This will include removing any dirt, debris, and urine stains, as well as sanitizing the surfaces. You could hire a professional cleaning company with experience in removing pet odors to ensure the best results.

Odor Eliminators: After the deep cleaning, you could also use odor eliminators specifically designed for pet odors. There are various types of odor eliminators available in the market, such as sprays, powders, and air purifiers, which could help neutralize the smell.

Replace Damaged Items: If any carpets, rugs, or furniture have been damaged beyond repair due to the dog urine, you may need to consider replacing them. This could be an additional expense, but it will help ensure the problem is fully resolved.

Prevent Future Occurrences: You could also consider adding a pet policy to your lease agreement and conducting regular inspections to prevent any future occurrences of pets being kept on the property without your knowledge.