All Forum Posts by: Patrick Roberts

Yeah, I totally get-it and myself am not the biggest fan of a barrier to entry but it's the only mechanism I could come up with that will actually work. 

Keep in mind free accounts could still make post replies, there just throttled as to how many per day until meet level thresholds unlocking ability to do more and more per day. 

And think, it could start really low, like 1 up vote, then 10, then 250, 50, 100 etc etc.. 

I thought if it like the way app based games are made today, everything is achievement based for access to "next level". 

It's also a system the self-promotes those newer users to use the various features, like look through the expansive library of older posts, vs just create a new post for every/any question. The current system kind of rewards impulsive "lazy" posting 4-answers vs engaging with platform. Because it's way easier to just post something vs look it up, or use the "Find A ___" tool. 

I don't see that talk with a BP rep for account setup working at all. We have to keep in mind BP is a tech company, and that means a focus on lean staffing. To do that would require staffing an expansive call center, not to mention the added cost of such. 

I'm not saying it's a bad idea in theory, I am just trying to view it as a realist, thinking through the motives BP needs and expects, as a business, for the action to make sense. For it to make sense to C-Suite, it's gotta make $$$$. 

ai is getting scarry good at head spinning speed. A captcha is not gonna cut it, ai will be able to make that hurdle. A throttle mechanism and a fee mechanism seems best way to dissuade.  And good moderation which then falls onto all of us, not just the Mod's alone. 

The best part of this discussion, is finding out how not alone I am. I have been experiencing and thinking these things but was unsure if it was just my own perception of things. 

I had a solution idea. 

I really thought this through and I truly think it's the only legit, enduring solution that threads the needle of best results for all on BP, and for BP Platform profitability (if it don't make $, it won't make sense for ownership and thus, it won't happen, right). 

Post's can only be created by paid membership holders. Be it biz or personal, but paid not free accounts. 

And free accounts get a daily reply limit. 

There is a trend, free accounts making the same repetative basic nusance post over n over which means (a) there not contributing good engaging new content via doing such, and, (b) there not searching the forums, going through existing content because if they did they would have found the previous 10,427 posts asking what there asking. 

This also helps prevent from account spamming. 

Next is throttle a daily limit for paid account to create posts, based upon a persons votes. An ascending tiered model where at certain benchmarks, ability to do more is awarded. 

Look, simplest way to safeguard for quality content is to allow those voted most quality to post most freely, and that to post more it has to be earned via quality posts & replies. 

Ideally, this also helps the ai thing because ai spamming won't get the votes and thus, daily post creation will be throttled to a level that hopefully makes the venture not worth it to even try. 

My observation is the best content is consistently put out by various paid memberships, and the worst most spammy ai stuff is by free or low vote accounts. 

What do you think @Moderators

 Thank you for your input.  It should sell for at least what I paid for it allowing me to recoup my down payment funds.  17 mortgage payments I’ve made would be a loss.  Perhaps I do need to lower my tenant criteria.  I just don’t want to wait on my money and a bunch of excuses for rent not paid. 
I see why the standard is 3 times the rent in income.  Say it’s 2 times in income:

Income: 2,000

Rent: $1,000

Gas Heat, Electricity, $300 

Food, $400

Car Payment and insurance $500 

Then I see how I’m the last to get paid. 
This isn’t factoring in cell phone bills, eating out, entertainment.  
I regret I ever did this.  Praying it will all work out in my favor.  I have a good realtor. The unit is still listed for rent also. It is listed @$1,100 which is right in line and possibly a bit lower price for the area, the size, and amenities. 
thanks again,
Lisa 

What makes you think you are doing it wrong? Not every investment HAS to cash flow, there are lots of other ways to make money in real estate other than cash flow. 

My personal opinion is that there is so much talk about cash flow that newbies get scared to make any moves at all and head back to their cubicles with their tails between their legs. 

Is cash flow bad? Absolutely not, it's fantastic, but it's just ONE piece of a much larger puzzle. David Greene has it right, and if you are new and not listening to his podcast, you are missing out. He digs in to all of the different ways people can make money in real estate- he has 10 different options that he talks about, and to be honest, cash flow is really the one that will often give you the least benefit in the long run. 

So yes, in my opinion, you probably are doing it wrong. If you are only looking at cash flow, you are probably missing many other opportunities that are right in front of you. 

My daughter wants to help me with my flips. So, I need some guidance. She wants to provide the financing for the purchase and rehab. She will have to get a loan, most likely it will be with her local bank. And when the deal closes I'll pay her a fee at closing. I want the deed in my name so how do we structure this? Thank you