All Forum Posts by: Pavel Redko

Going after the low-hanging fruit is always good. Low-cost fixes include swapping out bathroom fixtures (anything gold needs to go lol), backsplash, mulch & light landscaping, fixing the fence, etc. Any smells need to be handled at the source - replace carpet/pad, blow out ducts and a layer of Killz followed by paint. From there you can consider kitchen cabinets (paint or update if needed), granite countertop (if the comps require it). As mentioned above, added a bathroom (or half bath) might be exactly what the house needs to get a quick $25k jump, or it may the bare-minimum to compete in the market. Foundation cracks should be addressed immediately or you'll have a time during inspection. Cracks in concrete/grout can be filled / cleaned up to increase curb appeal. Decks should feel solid without any repairs sticking out like a sore thumb (match the paint/stain). 

Exterior paint can sometimes make a huge difference in curb appeal and buyer perception, but take care that it matches the neighborhood. I recently showed a home that looked great from a distance - white brick 2-story with a terrace level. Looking around the neighborhood told a different story - the brick was originally red, and was painted over to get the more modern look. Both my client and I have extensive construction backgrounds, and immediately noticed the rush-job renovation that the corporate owner had their crew take on. Everything looked good at the surface, but the distinct lack of craftsmanship indicated that corners had been cut, and what you were looking at probably wouldn't make it too far into the remaining life of the home. Any renovation work that your GC/crews take on should be inspected by someone that wasn't present while the work was being done. A fresh eye can make the difference between comfort with a purchase and deal-killing suspicion.

This is a niche that I've been getting more and more involved in, despite being 'new on the block'. My background in commercial construction / engineering as a GC / EC license holder is at my clients' disposal. Being able to evaluate properties with the eye of a GC gives me an advantage when it comes to narrowing down to the top 3-4 opportunities in an investor's area of interest. Communication is key, and every interaction / transaction is treated as a project in and of itself. I'd love to network further - it seems like a very small group of agents specializing in this and it's great to meet others with a shared interest in getting their hands dirty prying plywood off of doors :D

Congrats on the deal and great advice from all contributing!

Welcome to the group! I'm not far (North Georgia) - if you're in the area I'm always game to grab a cup of coffee!

I'm very bullish on Atlanta :-) Lately, though, I've been evaluating property in East TN. I own a home and acreage there, and am pretty familiar with the area but had been so focused on Atlanta that I didn't do too much research in my 'old backyard'. Aside from the fires raging right now in the Gatlinburg area, there are some great multi-family deals to be found, along with excellent condo-reno opportunities using old buildings in the newly-trendy old downtown areas of towns in the region.

I'm an agent and licensed GC / EC specializing in the Greater Atlanta area. The belt line encompasses everything from $19k burned-out husks to $7million+ estates. Are you looking for cash-flow, fix-and-flips or fix-and-holds? Quite a bit of variety to choose from. Finding a deal on the East side is getting tough - a lot of attention from local, national and even international investors and flippers. 

Plenty of deals on the south side, but make sure you're carrying if you're going to look at a new 'opportunity', and the buddy system is a must. I was just looking at a package of 3 homes for just under $100k - same street, design and condition (shells basically). My GC went out and priced the repairs, and estimated a potential $80k+ profit (leveraging bulk purchasing and his efficient crews). I'm not as keen on the west side (College Park to Fulton Industrial) and Airport region unless we're talking commercial. Prices on the north side are past what I find inviting, but a mailer campaign can still result in excellent deals from very motivated sellers.

Multi-Family is hot now and getting hotter. There is a shortage of independent larger multi-family properties - they come up every now and again but anything listed comes at a premium price. Your best bet is working with agents/brokers that are good at finding off-market deals or have a staff (like mine) capable of prospecting and marketing directly to owners.

In any case - feel free to reach out any time if you'd like to pursue things further. I'm more than happy to  show you around when you get into town!

@Kelly Anagnostou  - I recommend reaching out to Russ Melton with Intown Craftsmen. They're the highest rated remodeling GC / Roofer and he has excellent referrals for every trade in that part of town!

Kennesaw is a great market- welcome back to town :-) I work with Real Estate investors and flippers - always open to grabbing coffee when you start getting established! @Greatlanta @R3dko

Hello BiggerPockets Community!

I've done a good bit of lurking on the forums, finally ready to start networking and contributing where I can. I have been a licensed commercial GC / EC for a few years now, and recently shifted around my business model to focus almost exclusively on Real Estate Sales. I've dealt with realtors in many capacities in the past, and was usually left wanting - many knew a good bit less about what I was needing than I did, yet used 'Market Knowledge' as a reason why I should continue doing business with them. 

Along with my experience in contracting in Commercial / Wireless, I've been heavily involved in marketing and business development. I own a website design firm that also focuses on the Contracting industry, and have worked with clients ranging from multi-billion dollar tech companies to fashion labels and small construction firms. 

I say all of this to offer my services should anyone need them - I have long been a believer of paying it forward and getting a hand-up by first offering one to those around you. I'm very interested in continuing to grow my contact base, especially with like-minded investors, entrepreneurs and real estate professionals. I am also a service-disabled veteran of the U.S. Army and am a big proponent of supporting fellow veterans during one of the most tumultuous transitions of their lives into civilian life.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Paul