All Forum Posts by: Mo S.

@all, thanks for all the input!  I'll be registering for the class -- I'll post here on if it benefited me or not.  Happy new year.

Course Description:

The course illustrates how skilled management practice can assure the production of maximum financial yield to investment real estate. The students gain an overview of the many different types of properties in which they might become involved. The course considers the specific duties of management, including the establishing rental schedule, merchandising available space, collecting rent, creating and supervising maintenance schedules and repairs, supervising all purchasing, developing a tenant relationship policy, and maintaining proper accounting records. This course is an elective toward a Real Estate Broker's License.  

Hi there,

My local community college is offering a property management course.  I am interested in long distance out-of-state investing.  I have heard horror stories about bad property managers and horrible tenants.  

Do you think it'd be worth it to take the course?  

I was wondering if there was a tool that helps with keeping you informed of prices of properties in an area you are interested in.  For stocks, you are able to see the 52 week high and low fairly easily and are able to track a portfolio.  But for properties, it's not so easy.

Any suggestions or ideas are welcome!

Is it possible to find out which areas in a town are experiencing growth year over year?  I live in Long Beach, which is pretty diverse, so I wanted to understand which areas are experiencing more demand (or population increase) compared to other areas in Socal.

Thanks in advance! 

Thanks @Sandra B. and @Andrew Johnson!  Was rereading your posts.  It's alleviating to hear people honestly mention how negative cash flow can and possibly will happen.  Hiccups and the nature of the environment in california is such.

Also Sandra, I liked to hear how you were using properties as another investment vehicle.  BP in general tends to be BIG about positive cash flow and how it's THE game in town.  I get that it's a great way to make money - but it is challenging to get started in areas like SoCal and expect positive cash flow (but I appreciate the suggestion to look into those other areas).  I'm sure positive cash flow can happen - I'm just keen on starting near where I live for now.  I'm fairly young so I have more time to get into the game and branch into other areas.

I too have a portfolio of stocks and I work full time.  I don't want to buy in down-trodden areas (although thats where I hear bargains are).  I'd rather have a property in good shape in a decent area (maybe Signal Hill or Long Beach - somewhere nearby where I live), so I can take advantage of the appreciation.  

I'm a newbie - so I don't understand all the tax implications - like the tax writeoffs you mentioned.   Can you explain what's possible with the writeoffs?   

Thanks for all the advice everyone.  

This may be a silly idea, but I am looking to buy things local to me (within 1/2 hour of me).  This is because I am new to the game.  Learning how to manage properties and work at the same time, will be a learning curve for me.  Especially if there is work that needs to be done or if problems arise.  Managing the property and tenants is a process I know.

I also know that now isn't the best time to buy, but will keep learning more about real estate and see if I can spot an opportunity.  

Ahh, I see.  Thanks!  Well explained.

Hi there, I'm a newbie - but was wondering if it was worth getting your real estate license.  What is the benefit?  And are there any downsides?

Thanks,

Mo

Thanks @Bob Okenwa!  I'm curious - why don't they list the pic?