All Forum Posts by: Kevin Berry

Congrats Lindsey!!  Great move on your first step of hopefully many!   

I agree separate bank accounts are valuable to your rentals but simply using separate personal accounts are fine.  I keep my rentals that way.  My business account was more difficult to obtain from banks and offers little benefits for the purpose.  (of course, after growing your portfolio might be a different story).  

Congratulations Kevin and George.   Both on showing investing in the Boston area is truly within reach.  And Kevin, nice work on jumping into the game and getting away from the high rents of Boston.  

@Kevin Kelly One tip to expand on your first lesson learned/challenge.  You are correct in your summation to trust but verify the sellers agent.  The reason is the sellers agent has a fiduciary duty and is working for the seller.  To you (the buyer) the sellers agent's main objective is to simply facilitate a sale.    I always recommend a buyer working with a buyers agent.  Even when experienced yourself, having a buyers agent on your side is another set of eyes watching out for your best interest.  Especially when you (the buyer) gets this assistance at absolutely no charge.    

@Loren Oatman   Yes, as mentioned previously Cozy.co does offer screening with ability of having tenant pay the fee.  I currently use them for rent collection but have not used the screening feature.    More importantly, for screening, may want to check out rentprep.  They are similar and a NY based company (in Buffalo area) so I'm certain they're up on and abide all NY tenant laws.  Their website also features much useful information and forms.  

Stay healthy!

Welcome Edosa, This is a great place to learn from others and gather lots of knowledge of anything in the investing world. And congrats on your soon RE license. But, don't confuse the two. Investing and a RE license are two different beasts and they can often conflict. Investing is for your own portfolio. And having a RE license is to assist others in the purchase or sale of real estate. (albeit there are some perks: Access to MLS listings, write your own offers, list your own properties, etc).

A license is necessary to work for a real estate agency and assist others in the sale or purchase of a property.   But a license is not necessary to start purchasing and investing on your own.  Gather as much education as possible and jump in.   Good luck on your future endeavors and stay healthy.

Congratulations Alex!   Great job well done!   

What part of Buffalo?   Continued success!!

Way to go Dwight!   The place looks great and the numbers are on!  Great job pushing through the obstacles.  Best of luck with your next!

Welcome Algerson.  I am fairly new myself to the Bigger Pockets Community but you will find a wealth of information here.  I have a few properties in different markets with one 2-family being in Buffalo.  What part of Buffalo are you considering?