All Forum Posts by: Matthew Morrow

REI Partners and Joseph Scorese are proud to present: Asset-Based Lending for Real Estate Professionals!
This course is designed for both INVESTORS and AGENT alike! Come learn together.

Earn 3 CEU Credits! This seminar is approved for 3 Continuing Education Units (CEU) for licensed realtors! If you're a real estate professional looking to stay ahead in the industry while fulfilling your CE requirements, this is the event for you.

Join us on 1/27/25 from 630-830 PM for Unlocking the Power of Asset-Based Lending, an interactive seminar and networking session hosted by REI Partners!

This is an IN-PERSON event only.
Dive deep into the world of asset-based lending with industry experts who will guide you through the essentials of this game-changing financing strategy. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting, this event will equip you with the knowledge to take your portfolio to the next level.
This hands-on workshop will cover:

• Asset-Based Lending 101 💼
  Understanding how it works and why it's critical in today’s market.
• The Value of Your Assets 💎
  How to identify and assess key assets for lending purposes.
• Risks and Rewards ⚖️
  Evaluating the benefits and potential pitfalls of asset-based financing.
• The Lending Process Simplified 📄
  Eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and how to get started.
• Case Studies in Action 🏢
  Real-world scenarios showcasing strategic use of asset-based lending.
• Your Questions, Answered 💬
  Interactive Q&A with our expert panel.

This isn't just a workshop—it's an opportunity to network with like-minded individuals! 🤝 Meet local investors, real estate agents, lenders, and others pursuing financial freedom through smart investing.

🔗 RSVP Required: Reserve your spot through the Meetup link.

RSVP HERE- MEETUP.com

https://www.meetup.com/rei-partners/events/305409445/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=share-btn_savedevents_share_modal&utm_source=link


REAL ESTATE AGENTS RSVP HERE FOR CEU's
https://jscorese.lendinginstructors.com/registration.php?id=35654:18389:13595

Details:

• Fee: A $10 donation/person is suggested at the door to help offset costs. Cash, PayPal, or Venmo accepted.
• Virtual Attendance: Not available for this event. It will be published on youtube for viewing at a later time
• Refreshments: Light refreshments provided.
• RSVP: Space is limited, so secure your spot today.

Special Notes:

• Venue Host: Monterre Vineyards - Matt & Ashley Bubbenmoyer
• Event Host: The Morrow Wargo Group - Investment Real Estate Agents
• Event Speaker & Sponsor: Joseph Scorse, Lendmarq

Sign-in is required at the door. Recordings of our meetups are available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts after each event.
Follow Us:
https://www.facebook.com/reipartnersgroup
https://www.youtube.com/@reipartners3539
We hope to see you there!

Hey Kate,

We own a few mixed-use properties (restaurant/apartment combos) in the Lehigh Valley, and they’ve been great investments. However, many lenders and insurance companies are tightening restrictions and premiums for these types of properties. Personally, I love them because they offer built-in diversification.

In my experience, local banks are your best bet for financing mixed-use properties. They’re familiar with the towns, businesses, and, in some cases, even the commercial tenants, which can work in your favor. Feel free to DM me if you’d like to connect and discuss options further!

Hey Yianni,

Greetings from Allentown!

You’ve made a great choice diving into real estate investing—it can truly be life-changing. I stumbled upon BiggerPockets nearly a decade ago through a podcast, and it’s been one of the most influential resources in my investing career. The best part of BiggerPockets is the incredible connections you can make, especially with so many local investors in the area. Over the years, we’ve built relationships, closed countless deals, grown businesses with fellow BP members, and helped others get started—all from meeting people here on the forums.

The Lehigh Valley is a fantastic market to kick off your journey. This is home for us, and our portfolio is based here. Let me know if you need anything!

Hey everyone-

We have clients looking to dive into out-of-country investing in Ireland specifically. They are heavily capitalized and ready to do the work to find the right deal and work with local & reputable agents. Anyone have practical experience with this that we can discuss further?

It’s great that you’re practicing deal analysis and taking a conservative approach with a larger down payment. Living in one unit while renting out the others is a smart move. That said, I completely understand your concern about deals looking "too good to be true" when you’re putting in 50% down.

To avoid this, it’s best to analyze properties as if you were using more traditional financing (20-25% down). This gives you a more accurate view of the property's true cash flow and performance without relying on a large down payment to "force" good numbers.

This is exactly what we do — help investors like you evaluate deals to ensure responsible purchases that lead to portfolio growth. We use a custom spreadsheet and DealCheck to break down key metrics like cash-on-cash return, cap rate, and debt service coverage ratio (DSCR). Instead of focusing solely on cash flow after a large down payment, we analyze how the property performs with less cash in so you can see if it holds up. If the deal works with 20-25% down, it will only look better with 50% down.

The key is to stay disciplined. If a deal doesn’t fit your criteria, it’s an immediate pass. Stick to the numbers, period. That’s what makes you an investor, not a buyer. This approach ensures you’re making decisions based on logic, not emotion. We help our clients do exactly that — evaluate properties objectively, stick to their buy box, and make sure every deal fits their long-term goals.

If you'd like to see how we structure our analysis or want to review a few sample deals, we’re happy to share insights. Our goal is to make sure you’re buying properties that help you grow your portfolio responsibly. Let us know if you'd like to connect on this!

It definitely sounds like you need to reevaluate your relationship with your property manager. This level of service is NOT typical for the Lehigh Valley, and it’s certainly not what we’ve experienced with our PM or others we know in the area.

A property manager should be proactive in tenant placement, responsive to inquiries, and transparent about efforts to fill vacancies. It’s frustrating to hear you had to step in and handle the process yourself while still being charged a full fee. But small note- dont let the Zillow clicks or likes determine perceived interest. That data is very wrong most of the time. We see it all the time with homes we have listed, and personal rentals we have posted. 

If you’re considering handling tenant placement and rent collection yourself, there are tools like Zillow Rental Manager or Avail that can help streamline the process. But honestly, a good PM should handle all of this for you. It may be time to shop around for a new one who will actually add value to your investment.

If you want a recommendation for a reliable property manager in the Lehigh Valley, I’d be happy to share some contacts.

We’re from Allentown, and unfortunately, this is a pretty common issue around here. Honestly, hiring a lawyer might end up costing more than the process itself, especially if things don't go in your favor.

I’d recommend approaching the neighbor directly to discuss it, making sure they’re aware of the serious safety risk. Follow up with a certified letter so there’s a record of your request. If that doesn’t get a response, you could offer to split the cost since it’s a shared liability.

If they still don’t respond, you might have to handle it yourself for peace of mind — as frustrating as that is. If you need local contacts for tree removal, we know plenty of reliable options.

Best of luck!

Greetings from Allentown!

House hacking a 2-4 unit might not sound glamorous, but it’s hands down one of the fastest ways to build a paid-off rental portfolio — even with a family. It’s especially effective in eastern PA, where competition and inventory can be tough.

If you've got $80K, I'd suggest capping your initial spend at $60-65K. That's more than enough for a down payment using an FHA loan (just 3.5-5% down) while still having reserves for expenses. You'll live rent-free in one unit while the tenants cover the mortgage.

Here’s the play: do it for 12 months, then repeat each year for 3 years. By the end, you could have 10 doors — all while living rent-free. Use the cash flow from those properties to buy your "forever home" or just keep the cycle going. Before you know it, the whole portfolio is paid off by age 65-70, and you’ve got financial freedom without relying on Social Security. Or, better yet, scale faster and retire early.

It’s not easy, but it’s simple. House hacking works. Let me know if you want to chat more about it!

 Greetings from Allentown!

I know its not the most appetizing way, but id house hack a 2-4 unit. Tough with a family, but it will grow and give you the quickest way to a paid off portfolio by the time you want to "retire." Especially in eastern PA where competition and inventory can be tough.

If you have 80K, spending 60-65 max should be your limit. This is plent to make a down payment and have some reserves for the house hack, and youll live for free. Do this for 12 months- us FHA loan to take advantage of the 3.5-5% down, and then do this cycle every year for 3 years. Next thing you know- you have 10 doors and only used 3 years. Use the net cash flow from those buildings to them buy your "house" and just let the system churn. Itll be paid off by the time your 65-70 and boom, no need for social security or retirement. Or keep building and retire your self sooner.

Curious about nailing down the perfect After Repair Value (ARV) to make smarter investments? Join us on 12/10/24 from 6-8 PM for ARV Unlocked: Expert Tips from an Appraiser, an interactive seminar and networking session hosted by REI Partners!
Learn directly from two seasoned appraisers who will break down the art and science of accurately calculating ARV—whether you're flipping, following the BRRRR method, or evaluating your next deal.
This hands-on workshop will cover:

• The ARV Formula Simplified 🏠 How to approach property valuation like a pro.
• Spotting Hidden Value 🔍 Key features and upgrades appraisers consider.
• Common Pitfalls 🚩 Mistakes to avoid when estimating value in today's market.
• Your Questions, Answered 💬 Interactive Q&A with the experts.

Plus, we’ll provide a brief update on PA Act 52 / SB1173 and the new rules for wholesaling in Pennsylvania starting January.

This isn't just a workshop—it's an opportunity to network with like-minded individuals! 🤝 You’ll meet local investors, real estate agents, lenders, and others pursuing the same path to financial independence.

🔗 RSVP Required: Reserve your spot through the Meetup link and select either in-person or virtual attendance.
Note for Virtual Attendees: Participation will be limited to observation only, and technology limitations may impact the presentation quality.

Details:

• Fee: A $10 Donation / person is suggested at the door to help offset cost of production, speakers, and event center staffing. Cash / paypal/ venmo accepted
• Virtual / Zoom attendance is free, however donations are accepted. Participation will be limited
• Refreshments: Light refreshments will be provided.
• RSVP: Space is limited, so please RSVP to secure your spot.

Special Notes:

• Venue Host: Monterre Vineyards - Matt & Ashley Bubbenmoyer
• Event Host: The Morrow Wargo Group - Investment Real Estate Agents
• Event Sponsor: Mike Sup- ROI Home Inspections

Additional Information:

• Sign In will be required at the door.
• Recordings of our meetups are available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts after each event.

Follow Us:

• https://www.facebook.com/reipartnersgroup
• https://www.youtube.com/@reipartners3539