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All Forum Posts by: Michael Ehrhart

Michael Ehrhart has started 1 posts and replied 11 times.

Post: Selling Rental to Pay off Crazy Student Loan

Michael EhrhartPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Los Angeles
  • Posts 12
  • Votes 4

Hi Samantha,

I'm not sure if you have heard of the new save plan that was implemented. As this might affect your decision. https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/save-plan

Even as a high earner it looks like this plan could save you money.

It's definitely a personal choice, as it depends on if you are looking at the short or long term, but I would look at all of the data before making your decision.

Personally I would look at the long term as Real Estate is a long term game. Calculate what you would pay long term for the student loan debt, including your potential pay increases, compared to what the duplex would earn you in appreciation and future potential cash flow. As you stated the property is not currently in a great area, which could mean huge potential upside for you in the future.

Plus keep in mind the average mortgage loan rate right now is between 6 to 7% which isn't far off from your student loan interest rate, if you were to turn around and buy a property.

Feel free to reach out if you need help sourcing any of the market data to make your decision!

Post: Best Websites for Foreclosure Listings

Michael EhrhartPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Los Angeles
  • Posts 12
  • Votes 4

Hi Suzanne, 

The best strategy will depend on how much time you have to dedicate to finding a deal. 

If you don't have too much time a realtor specializing in foreclosures, a REO agent, or even a wholesaler would be your best bet. BiggerPockets is a great resource to build your team and get started.

If you have significant time then you can use sites like PropertyRadar & Propstream and even local newspapers to find foreclosures. I would also reach out to one of the above, as that will increase your chances of finding a deal that fits your criteria.

Depending on your criteria and available time either or can be advantageous. Auctions are a great way to get a steal, but you risk more of your time as you can be outbid.

Yes, for instance one of the agents I work for specializes in Probate and Foreclosures.

Feel free to reach out, as we would love to help you anyway we can.

Hope this helps you get started! Happy Hunting! 

Post: Teardown & BRRR Opportunities

Michael EhrhartPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Los Angeles
  • Posts 12
  • Votes 4

The Real Estate team I work with has quite a few high end teardown or BRRR opportunities all off market.

The properties range from $8 to $28 mil in zip codes (2) 90210, (5) 90049, (1) 90024, (1) 90265

Please send me a DM and I will send additional information.

I also have a $2.5 mil teardown on the Venice Canals (90291) with a lot over 2800 sf. New builds on the canals with similar lot sizes have been selling over $6 mil.

Post: Investing in California

Michael EhrhartPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Los Angeles
  • Posts 12
  • Votes 4
Quote from @Account Closed:

Hi, I live in San Francisco. I purchased my first rental property back in Oct 2022 in Texas. I was thinking about purchasing my next property somewhere in California. I'm considering getting a duplex or triplex, and living in one unit while renting the others out. My focus is appreciation, not cash flow.

Here are the cities I'm considering:
- San Diego
- Long Beach
- Santa Rosa
- Santa Cruz
- Los Angeles
- Santa Barbara


- I know with an FHA loan, I can get 3.5% down. However, I'm concerned having to put so little money down. Besides PMI insurance, is there a risk with this approach?
- At least in San Francisco, cash flow is very hard to achieve. However, there needs to be some cash flow in order to pay for the mortgage and expenses. Is cash flow still possible in the above cities?
- Do all of the above cities make it easy to build an ADU? Any estimates on cost per sq ft would be helpful.
- In general, does a SFH w/ an ADU appreciate faster than a SFH without an ADU?
- I've read that California is a pro-tenant state. Do any of the above cities tip slightly towards the landlord?
- There are other external concerns that I have i.e. state budget shortfalls, too much concentration in one job sector (ex. tech), running out of water situation, earthquakes, fires, etc., any thoughts on how others navigate this?


 Hey Jason,

My team is in LA so I can answer some, but not all of your questions:

- Cash flow is still possible in Los Angeles when you find the right deal. However with little money down it definitely will make it harder.

- Straight from adu.lacity.gov: Since 2017, California State lawmakers have passed multiple bills to make it easier for homeowners to build ADUs. Five bills made effective on January 1, 2020 have significantly streamlined the ADU construction and approval process.

Plus: The budget agreement (enacted June 27th 2023) restores $50 million for the California Housing Finance Agency's ADU Grant Program, which provides up to $40,000 to help cover the planning and permitting costs involved in an accessory dwelling unit.

- BP thread relating to your question: https://www.biggerpockets.com/...

- LA County has multiple different cities with different RSOs, so this will really depend. That being said most of LA county is pro-tenant.

- External concerns: I believe the state budget shortfall has been addressed in the recent enacted budget agreement on June 27th. 

Job sector data for LA county: https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.ca... 

Luckily with all the recent rainfall this year emergency drought requirements have been reduced, but still an ongoing issue. Unfortunately I don't have an answer on the rest of these concerns or how to navigate them.

Hope this helps!

Post: Want / Need a 4 Unit Building in The San Fernando Valley

Michael EhrhartPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Los Angeles
  • Posts 12
  • Votes 4

Hi Richard, 

I just sent you a request. I'd love to learn more about what you are looking for.

Preferences on vacancies, cash or financing, ideal time frame, fixer or rent ready, just to name a few.

Post: Best Place to Sell Vacant Land (w/plans)? - Los Angeles

Michael EhrhartPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Los Angeles
  • Posts 12
  • Votes 4
Quote from @Ryan Rude:

Hey all. First post here... I'm not in REI, but my partner & I recently relocated and need to walk away from the "dream home" project we designed (with a published architect) in Los Angeles. It's in an incredibly hot neighborhood, Highland Park (90042), with seemingly great margins for a buyer/investor. Unfortunately we had a pretty bad experience with a recommended Real Estate Agent, and have been off market for a while now, so I'm curious where the next best place might be to try and unload the property/project. Anyone have advice?

Thanks!


Hey Ryan,

I would love to know more about your property, my team has multiple investors that might be interested.

Quote from @Raj A.:

In addition to working with an agent (and building a strong relationship with agents in general), are there any websites or services out there where an investor can get access to foreclosure or pre-foreclosure opportunities in a particular market? I've checked out websites like foreclosure.com but am unsure if that is the best website to use for this purpose. Also curious if Realtor.com or some other professional body has their own foreclosure service/website that I could subscribe to. 

Any pointers/guidance welcome. Thanks!


 Hey Raj,

I live in Los Angeles, CA and the method I have found that works the best is using websites like PropertyRadar and Propstream.

You do have to pay to use these sites but it saves a lot of time, as you can filter to exactly what you are looking for.


It looks like you have a bigger pockets pro membership, so you might want to check out Invelo. They might have that capability as well.

That being said you can also check your local newspaper, as they are required to post the notices in California.

Post: How do I find the contact information of owners of properties?

Michael EhrhartPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Los Angeles
  • Posts 12
  • Votes 4
Quote from @Account Closed:

What are the websites that you guys recommend?

Hi Stephen,

After you find the owner, by going to https://publicrecords.netronli... , as Nate Carey stated, you can go to this free website: https://www.truepeoplesearch.com/# to find the owner’s numbers and emails. 

Some of the #s will be old or dead numbers, but this site usually has at least 1 listed number that is correct. I have found these #s are the same as some of the paid apps or websites.

If you are looking for all in one tools to save on time PropertyRadar and PropStream are both really great for finding everything from Notices of defaults, owner information, property history, and owner contact information.

Post: How do I find Notice of Default records for homes in the South Bay?

Michael EhrhartPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Los Angeles
  • Posts 12
  • Votes 4
NOSs you can find on both these tools and of course the MLS, as well, but if you’re looking for a free method you can do a search on Zillow searching specifically for NOSs.

Quote from @Account Closed:

 I see. Another commentor @Michael Ehrhart suggested PropertyRadae and Propstream. I’ve heard of these two a tiny bit.

As for the nos in your area, do you simply go onto your county recorder’s website?


Post: How do I find Notice of Default records for homes in the South Bay?

Michael EhrhartPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Los Angeles
  • Posts 12
  • Votes 4
You’re welcome. Yea lol I thought the same when I heard it. They are not efficient by any means but it’s free.

I personally use PropertyRadar, literally daily to see NOSs or NODs. It’s a really great tool to filter in specific areas as well.

Propstream I believe has the same functionalities, but I haven’t personally used it. I have however heard guests on BP talk about how they use and like the software.

Quote from @Account Closed:

Thanks for ur reply. 
Newspapers? Lol. 

Which of the two from the PropertyRadae or Propstream do you use mostly?