All Forum Posts by: Steph C.

I can't speak to the investment, but interestingly, I've seen a couple of articles just in the past week about people owning or investing in house boats.  These were focused in areas where real estate is VERY expensive, like San Francisco.  There's probably a market for this and may be worth exploring.  The articles I read all did mention that boat maintenance is expensive. 

Here's one article I found: http://www.businessinsider.com/couple-buys-boat-to-avoid-san-francisco-rent-2017-7

No matter what you decide, good luck, @Angela Jossy.

Congrats, @Jazmine Jones. This is great.  Not just investing full time but leaving a toxic work environment. It must be such a relief to leave that job!

Here's to your continued success!

Thanks for the tips, @John Hickey . This is really helpful info!

Have a great weekend!

Thanks, @John Hickey.  Your kitchen is beautiful.  I love it!

Thanks for the tip about the appliances.  I wasn't sure about them, since I don't know if anyone that has the Ikea appliances in their home. :-)

Thanks, @Robert Lindsley. Please keep us posted on how it works out when all is wrapped up with the tenant.

We recently were looking at a duplex that we wanted to buy, but the current tenants (in both units) had pit bulls. In speaking with our insurance agent, we decided not to make an offer. Even if we didn't renew the tenants when the leases were up or if they had their own renter's insurance policies, we felt it was a bit too risky.  

In MA, you can usually get insured with Fair Plan with certain pets, but it is VERY expensive.  We decided the cost was too high and it was not worth it from a financial or risk perspective.  

Hopefully once the tenant is out, you can get back with your original carrier and the costs will be more reasonable.

Good luck!

Congrats, @Cole Johnson!  Your friends may call you "cheap." However, it sounds like you're doing everything right. You're moving toward achieving your goals and working hard to get there.  Your tenacity should be admired.

Wishing you continued success!

Highest & Best is a big thing here in MA.  We often see properties get listed and a day or two later, the listing is updated with the H&B deadline. 

Or, what's happening even more lately, the house is listed a bit below market price and noted the initial MLS listing it will say: Open house on Saturday, XX/XX/XX at 2:00pm and Highest & Best due by Monday, XX/XX/XX at 5:00pm. Crazy!

Thanks, @John Hickey.  Those are reasonable prices.  Good deal on the appliances, too.  Are they good quality or reliable appliances?

I personally love the look of Ikea kitchens but I know some people buying older or traditional homes like more classic cabinets to fit the style of the home (e.g., NE colonial homes).

I think we're going to upgrade the kitchen in our own home in the next year or so with Ikea but I think we may try it for a flip, too.

Thanks again!

The short answer is that is is not too late, @Daphne Barber.  

There has been a lot of buzz lately about starting a new career or business after age 50.  It's a totally different mindset now. :-) Some people are making the change because you cannot depend on your employer to "take care of you" until retirement any longer and some people just are burned out and want to make a change. I know several people who changed career paths or started businesses from their late 40s on up.

Here's an interesting article and there are many similar out there: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-7-steps-to...

I also have heard great things about the book, Rebranding Yourself After Age 50.  

You received tons of great replies on this thread, which is awesome. I hope you'll continue on this exciting journey into REI.

Wishing you the best,

Steph

Beautiful, @John Hickey.  Does that price from Ikea include countertops?  If not, what's your all-in price with the Ikea cabinets and counters?