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All Forum Posts by: Shane H.

Shane H. has started 48 posts and replied 745 times.

Post: The Bookkeeping World

Shane H.Posted
  • Investor
  • Wichita, KS
  • Posts 769
  • Votes 279

I am a HUGE fan of Buildium -- Have used it for 5 years, manage 4 units with it, feel I could teach anyone to use the software, love the cloud capabilities and know as I grow it will be no problem to continue to manage additional units.  Some have complained of the cost, however if you cant afford the $400-500 a year for solid PM software, then you probably shouldn't be in the business.

Since I'm not in the software everyday, I'm still finding new features as time goes on.  The customer service has always been GREAT when I've had to call in with an accounting question or simply needing additional guidance to set something up etc.

I will say this, if you have properties already and were using another bookkeeping software before, the hardest part about switching to Buildium is the initial setup of your books.  You can track depreciation, your bank accounts....EVERYTHING needed for your business.   It simply takes a while to transfer over all of the data and perform the initial setup....however that initial pain is well worth the reward once you're up and going.

Probably what I spend the most time on is scanning in receipts so I can upload them to the transactions, really not that big of a deal, however it would be nice if all receipts from vendors could be sent to my email.  (Not a buildium issue - something I'd need to figure out to help my workflow)

As for fees, there is a $99 one time fee if you want to set up online payments, (online payments is the only way to go) $12.50 or 12.95 per background/credit check - etc.  Can post vacancies on 5 sites with the click of a button etc.  You can have applicants pay the background check fee or you can charge them an application fee to cover it etc.

Check it out and even if you have one property use the software as it will grow with you.  If you do sign up for it use me as a referral and you'll get an additional discount.  Best of luck!

Before I switched to Buildium I used Rental Property Manager by Quicken -- it SUCKED!!!   

I use Buildium property management software (LOVE IT) -- and only accept online payments.  Cost me a one time $99 fee to set it up, and .50 per transaction, however the time savings and records transparency alone are well worth the fee.

I still leave it open in the lease to pay me via check, money order or cash, however when I provide a "$50" rent credit for paying online, there is a financial incentive to pay me electronically.  Even for those without a bank account, they'll use relatives bank accounts or find a way to pay me online.   Buildium also can automate the rent credit.  Never a question of when someone paid, if i wrote down what I received or the date I received rent etc.

Post: New Investor from Wichita KS

Shane H.Posted
  • Investor
  • Wichita, KS
  • Posts 769
  • Votes 279

Welcome @Nathan Blumanhourst

Fellow Wichitan here --- theres a few from Wichita active here. Have you been to one of the local REIA meetings? Next one should be the first Saturday in September though with Labor day not sure if that one will be postponed or not.

Heres a link to the meetup site -- definitely make it a point to attend one, you can sing up and receive email updates for meeting times, folks will pose questions etc.  

 http://www.meetup.com/Wichita-Real-Estate-Investor...

I second John's advice - Biggerpockets is an amazing resource.  So many helpful people here.

Post: Appraisals & Valuations

Shane H.Posted
  • Investor
  • Wichita, KS
  • Posts 769
  • Votes 279

@Account Closed

Please don't let the large base interested in residential scare you off.  I'm very interested in commercial (had an internship at a commercial firm in their appraisal division years ago during college and studied all I can on the subject, the internship helped solidify I have zero interest in becoming an appraiser and yet fanned my interest on the investor side)    Definitely looking for more folks like yourself to contribute knowledge/experiences in this subject matter.

I think there are probably more people interested in the subject than it seems.  I'm still looking to purchase my first commercial property and have a goal to have many in the portfolio in the years to come.

The site owners have also ventured into a couple of podcasts partially centered on commercial - maybe with more involvement from folks like you they can add a few more for consumption.

Welcome!

Post: Real Estate Accounting Software Question

Shane H.Posted
  • Investor
  • Wichita, KS
  • Posts 769
  • Votes 279

I use Buildium and love it.  

Thought the Quicken product was garbage and haven't looked back since switching to Buildium.

Post: Real Estate Licence

Shane H.Posted
  • Investor
  • Wichita, KS
  • Posts 769
  • Votes 279

Welcome @Nikki Smith

I think there are a few agents from KS here.  Not sure if I can add much of an answer to your question, other than maybe look for a school in KC which would allow you to get licensed in KS & MO -- as you are in the KC metroplex correct?  Probably would be beneficial to be licensed in both states if you live there, though others might chime in otherwise.

I get emails about the local KC REIA from time to time about presentations or classes they have going on occasionally through the Wichita REIA I participate in.

Maybe check them out?  Seems like a good place to start networking and pick up a few things, might help gain some focus as well once you are able to talk to a few folks and pick their brains.  http://www.marei.org/

Enjoy the journey.

Post: HELP Leasing Office Space

Shane H.Posted
  • Investor
  • Wichita, KS
  • Posts 769
  • Votes 279

@Adam L.

Any updates on this - curious how it's going as this is a space I will get into eventually as I progress along.  So reading this post with great interest.

Older post, however thought I'd chime in - I have no direct experience on a project this large other than looking at buying office condo's where I live locally and completing considerable amounts of due diligence and dreaming up a marketing plan.

I could not see your CL ad as it has long since expired, so not familiar with the building, or location, however....

Basic Marketing Plan

********************************************************

Here are my thoughts from a large office building greenhorn - someone else could chime in with criticism

-- Start a Facebook page for the building --

-- Add content such as articles maybe on the building - any historical content, talk about the upgrades that were done, share articles or info on surrounding ammenities, restaurants, gyms, location to public transport etc -- Create some positive spin for the building -there has to be something unique about it you can sell/spin -- any former historic uses etc?

-- Get a basic website -- pay someone on E-Lance or Fiverr if you are pinching pennies or just set aside $5k or so and have someone design a nice website for the building pitching the ammenities, contact info for leasing, directory of tenants, links to your facebook page etc - brag on the investment you made in the building

-- Get a professional photographer to get photos of the building/common areas and a few offices

--- Fly out to Chicago - spend a couple weeks or whatever it takes- get appointments with all of the top brokers in the Commercial office space niche, break bread with them, buy them lunch, coffee, sell this building and your commitment to it, the upgrades you did etc

-- Reach out to the business journal - local papers business writers - ask for a sit down to talk about your rehab -- once articles are written - link to them on website, facebook etc

-- Keep manning the phones with the brokers, keep your digital content flowing - add something at least once a week to the Facebook page

-- Sign new leases, increase bottom line

-- fill up building, enjoy cash flow or exit and sell, move on to the next one

I've searched a bit and have not come across a post that quite fits an investment opportunity I have been looking into.

At the bottom I put a cliffs notes version of the building/surrounding area (probably could have shortened it up, and maybe I'm looking at too many external factors - however let me know)

My thoughts - building would be good structurally/mechanically - located in the downtown core - building is already built out into 4 offices and reception area main floor with a kitchenette/half bath

2nd floor has 7 offices, 2 baths, 2 storage rooms

2 entrances into the building, street parking on 2 sides, building is located across from the local courthouse

(Could potentially turn the upper floor into a couple of apartments or one large apartment - rent for 800-1k a mo for one large apt, however rehab $$ would climb - city would be more than willing to change zoning for this and encourages this type of arrangement in the historic buildings - ie office bottom floor, apt top floor)

$60k Purchase Price

$20k Rehab budget

Potential gross income $2800 per mo (7 offices $400 ea)

Guesstimated Pro Forma

--  $33600        Gross Income - 7 offices $400 ea
       (5040)        15% Vacancy
      (2400)        Property Tax
      (2500)        Insurance
      (6000)        Utilities - figured $500 per mo/gas/elec/water- think this is high though
      (1680)        Cap Ex
      (4980)        P&I Pmts $60k loan 5.5% interest - 20 year amortization
      (4800)        Janitorial - $400/mo - this would probably be lower

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

$      6200        Cash Flow

I think I could improve on the above cash flow, not sure the Insurance is 100% accurate, could possibly increase gross income if I have more than 7 offices etc.  Thinking this would be a near worse case scenario

Rehab Plan

Thinking I could possibly do interior upgrades, modernize the office into something appealing, (could be as simple as removing the paneling and exposing the brick, redividing the offices, updating the baths etc) and then rent out individual office spaces and charge $400-600 a mo for each office space - They'd be gross leases and I'd take care of all utilities, janitorial etc -- would not provide any onsight receptionist, fax machines etc -- each person would provide their own office equip -- I could potentially provide office furniture if needed, plenty of good used stuff to be found locally

Thinking at a min 7-8 office suites, possibly more -- Per agent and my knowledge of community/research online I dont think a setup exists like this to attract possibly an IT person, a 1 man/woman business such as an accountant etc.  I think there would be a demand for it.  A buddy of mine lives in an even smaller town a bit closer to Wichita, and he rents out space in a similar setup -- the landlord accidentally turned it into a co-office type of setup - building was an old bank he got really cheap at an auction (think $60-70k) and he was getting around $2k or so in income from it, renting it out to a hair salon, my buddies online business, an accountant, one tech guy etc and he really didnt do much to make the inside appealing at all other than paint.

After reading through some of what I posted below do you think this is risky?  Any glaring things I really need to research etc?  Could I potentially be heading in the right direction?  I think if I wanted to exit, not sure how quickly I could move the building, obviously if it's fully leased it would be more appealing to other investors, but more than likely if it sold for $100k after I did my upgrades and had a decent cash flow only small time local people would be looking at it.  

--   3780 sq ft 2 story office building (office was previous use)

--  Built appx 1900 -- think it's brick, or block with some sort of facade, possibly limestone as that is common in the area -- has a basement as well with partial crawl space -- good soil in the area

--  Appears to be structurally sound - no issues - however needs further investigation, the floor joists are likely large old world pine/oak or other hardwoods shipped in so they should be good as long as no previous termite damage/dry rot

--   Basement professionally waterproofed 15 years ago - should be no water issues, we've had lots of rain locally (more than we've had in likely 10-15 years) and basement supposedly has not leaked, think it's limestone/concrete -- Building also surrounded by Concrete -- water should not be an issue

-- Per agent this week there will be a new roof put on (Flat Roof) at a cost of $17k

-- Asking price $60k

-- Has been occupied by an accounting firm for I believe 40-50 years - they owned the building and have left as they merged with another local accounting firm and moved to another building

-- Dated inside -- lots of paneling, probably dim lighting, HVAC is kind of dated

****************************

Potential Downsides/Other Pertinent info

-- Likely will have low or nearly non existent price appreciation, other than upgrades I'd put in -- I probably wouldnt factor it in any of my figures

-- Lots of ranching/agricultural, oil/gas, wind energy activity around - city has the closest major grocery store/Wal Mart to lots of people located in more rural areas within a 1-2hour driving distance -- town is important for that aspect

-- Located in a small community - town has appx 12-15k people, however it is a bedroom community located off of a VERY well maintained interstate and it's only 20-30 mins drive from the City I live in that has 500k people --   The city is a good "Clean" town if that makes sense, very nice community gym close by

-- Building is on the downtown core - right off of one main arterial and 1 block from the other -- no plans in the future to alter traffic flow etc --- Lots of money has been put in by the city/local govt to maintain the downtown area and make it a very nice walkable area - with lots of little shops, antique places, a couple cafes etc 

-- A local company in the refining business recently moved the majority of their business there from Wichita and has put a lot of money into this community -- large donations to the college and elsewhere (they make additives and are a nationally known brand -- have been around since the 70's - only way they go down is if we go away from the internal combustion engine - dont see that happening in the time I'd own the building) 

Post: Mastermind/Accountability Group

Shane H.Posted
  • Investor
  • Wichita, KS
  • Posts 769
  • Votes 279

@John Citro

John, I'm interested as well.  Though jumping online at 3:13am -- not so sure about that ... HA

Post: New from Topeka, KS.

Shane H.Posted
  • Investor
  • Wichita, KS
  • Posts 769
  • Votes 279

Welcome @Jordan Haldeman

from a neighbor to the south.  

Do you have any specific type of property you are looking to purchase?