All Forum Posts by: Robert Ortiz

Hello Everyone, 

Does anyone know if there are any meet up groups in Oakland. It would be a great idea to have meet ups with other real estate investors in the area and do some fun activities like hiking, running, or even just have a beer; have fun and talk about real estate.

Apologies for the double post. I posted the first one in the wrong group.

Hello Everyone,

I have a duplex that I like to turn into a triplex and I was thinking of going through an architect to help me with the process. I reached out to Bay Area Design Consultants LLC and told me they can take care of everything that needs to be done with city of Oakland. One of the reason why I want to go this route is because I live in the third unit without a permit and it appears like the previous owner used part of the neighboring unit to make the third one. Bay Area Designs told me they needed to measure all 3 units since the third unit appears to be using a portion of the other unit; they need to update the city of the measurements.

My goal with this property is to use the 2 car garage and the existing space to create a permitted third unit.

My concerns:

- Not being able to permit a third unit at the property due to space and/or measurements.

- Needing to vacate the tenant in the neighboring unit to either give back the space taken from the third unit or vacate to make major changes.

- City telling me that I need to revert everything back to the original duplex; leaving me with a duplex.

- Going though a company to help me with the process vs. dealing with the city myself.

Any help is greatly appreciated it!
Robert

Hello Everyone,

I have a duplex that I like to turn into a triplex and I was thinking of going through an architect to help me with the process. I reached out to Bay Area Design Consultants LLC and told me they can take care of everything that needs to be done with city of Oakland. One of the reason why I want to go this route is because I live in the third unit without a permit and it appears like the previous owner used part of the neighboring unit to make the third one. Bay Area Designs told me they needed to measure all 3 units since the third unit appears to be using a portion of the other unit; they need to update the city of the measurements.

My goal with this property is to use the 2 car garage and the existing space to create a permitted third unit. 

My concerns:

- Not being able to permit a third unit at the property due to space and/or measurements.

- Needing to vacate the tenant in the neighboring unit to either give back the space taken from the third unit or vacate to make major changes. 

- City telling me that I need to revert everything back to the original duplex; leaving me with a duplex.

- Going though a company to help me with the process vs. dealing with the city myself.

Any help is greatly appreciated it! 
Robert

Hello Everyone, 

Hoping I can revive this thread by following up on Everyone's experience with the ADU and share some of the challenges you came across along the process.

I'm currently in the early stages to convert the garage at my rental and I'm looking for an architect to walk the property and see what we're working with. I do have a really good contractor who's familiar with the codes. So maybe I don't need an architect.
 

Does anyone have any experience working with Catholic Charities SF?

I received a call from the Case Manager (CM) about my vacant unit and she told me they work similar to Section 8. Looks like they do all their screening and work with the client to find a stable job and help them get back on their feet. From what I understand, they try to help their clients within the year.

I reviewed the information the CM send me and it seems promising so far but I'd love to hear everyone's experience with this program. I did reply to the CM with some questions:

- What happens if the tenant doesn’t, or is unwilling to, find stable employment or establish independent living within 12 months?
- Are there any rules your clients must follow if they still want to be in the program?
- How are tenant/landlord complaints handled?

I’ll keep y’all updated once I get a reply.

Thanks to those who reached out to me directly! I truly appreciate it. 

Hello Everyone, 

Does anyone have any recommendations on a knowledgeable tax professional for California to help me file taxes as an individual and as a rental property owner? I purchased my first rental property this year and I just realized that taxes are due very soon. I typically do my own taxes but now I'm looking for a knowledgeable tax professional who I can start building a relationship with and who can point me in the right direction to start preparing for next year's taxes as a rental property owner. 

Thanks! :)

Hello everyone, 

I came across a property that's a probate sell but I'm not too familiar with the process or the associated costs and I was wondering if I can get some insight on this type of purchase to see if this is something I want to look into. My main concern is the additional costs I will incur from the this type of purchase. Do the fees come from an attorney I may need to hire to help with the process or fees I will just need to pay fees to some institution? 

What I do know: 

• - Personal Representative (PR) should have full authority to sell the property; this gives them the right to sell the property instead of going through the court.
• - If there are no heirs, others who are interested, or litigations, I don't have to provide a Notice of Proposed Action and I can move on. 
• - Even if my offer is accepted, there will be other bidders that I should be aware of.
• - A 10% downpayment is required when providing an offer. Is there anything I can do to protect this deposit?

Thank you all for your insight! 

Hello Carlos, 

I personally would buy an old reliable car with cash and save the amount I would have spent on a downpayment and/or monthly payment. But then again, I'm just starting my REI journey so it's nice to save extra money wherever I can. I'm also at the point where I feel like getting from point A to B is the same regardless :)

@Nicole Masters Thank you! Glad to hear I'm on the right track. I threw some numbers on a spreadsheet to get a nice average and create my lowest threshold. I'm going to start implementing your method to create a higher threshold and have that nice boundary where I know I will be comfortable with.

I truly appreciate the insight, Nicole!