All Forum Posts by: Linda Osborn

@Matt M. Awesome graph! I (as a non-millennial ;-) have been astounded and dismayed by the change in our society, and especially by the growing amount of debt and cost of higher education. Where once I would have said a college education is the only way to go (there was clear data showing those with a college education made significantly more money over the long haul), now I am not so sure. The huge rise in cost of a college/university education may not provide the ROI it once did. If I were deciding whether or not to choose college today, I would seriously look at community colleges, online education and some of the other viable and "non-traditional", but lower cost, options. In the interest of full disclosure, I have an engineering (MSEE) background and many years in high tech, but am currently working in the real estate industry.

However, I also agree with @Mike Johnson, the choice to invest in your future has to begin young in order to make the "most bang for the buck", and may require a serious look at your lifestyle and what you are willing to give up now to be where you want to be later on.  This is true for everyone. Those who choose to live the way they "want" when they are young may pay for it later in life by not being in the place they wanted, or hoped, to be. It's always been that way and it always will. You have to plan to get where you want to be and then execute the plan. Very few of us (again, in any generation) actually take this seriously enough to do it. Kudos to you and anyone else who does see this and takes steps to plan for your future!

Welcome to the site!

Welcome to BP @Mike Allaire!

Sorry to hear that Bryan! Keep on trying, though. You'll find something.

With regard to Property Management companies, you can start to research them by checking out NARPM (National Association of Residential Property Managers). Being a member does not "guarantee" a good property manager, but NARPM has some strict requirements so it is a great place to start: http://www.narpm.org/. Obviously referrals are always best. 

Good luck!

Aaron, 

Texas Association of Realtors has a "standard" lease agreement. I'm pretty sure you can use it for this. You can find it in ZipForms. Feel free to call or PM me if you want some assistance.

Welcome to BP!

I've found if you talk with the commercial / contractor depts at Home Depot and Lowes, you can usually get some great discounts and great financing on appliances, especially if you are outfitting two units. Let them know you are shopping around. Can't help with the painter, I'm afraid. We usually budget $2/sq ft for interior paint.

Hope this helps, and I hope you have a good property manager in Indy that you trust!

Welcome to BP Christian! There are tons of resources on BP, and Austin has a big investor community if you want to get out and network with other investors. Feel free to reach out if you have questions or want to discuss this more! 

Welcome to BP and welcome to Texas!! Both are a great place to be. Feel free to reach out if you need anything or have any questions; everyone is helpful & friendly! 

Welcome to BP! Feel free to reach out if you need anything or have questions. As others have said, Austin has quite a number and variety of investor meetups. I recommend checking several of them out to network and learn from people already doing what you want to do! Good luck!

I also am a real estate agent and an investor. Rents are always going to be 6 to 18 months behind the market...because rent rates can only be adjusted at lease renewal. I agree that is is hard to latch onto a house in the Austin / Round Rock market right now. However, I do think there are still deals if you are patient and willing to wait for the right property. Also, @David Ferrette is correct;  you can do better if you don't need it live-in ready (be willing to take a property in less than perfect condition) and/or are willing to wait until things slow down a bit in the fall / winter months. I have a client who just bought a property in Georgetown that she got for almost $20K under market (and without multiple offers)...because this property desperately needed new paint and flooring. 

Good luck @Vinod Reddy. This is a great place to learn. Also take some time to attend some of the many REI events, clubs & training opportunities Austin has to offer!