All Forum Posts by: William Sing

Hay Josh!

That is definitely a bit of a loaded question and it kinda depends on where you are at along with where you want to go. Where are you at in your investing journey! Here is a good primer on how to setup up things for liability - 

Hey Leo,

Great question and it's smart you're thinking ahead on this. The first step is definitely to get familiar with the landlord-tenant laws in Jersey City, as these will guide your actions. Look into "no cause" and "for cause" evictions to understand the grounds under which you can decide not to renew a lease. In many places, giving proper notice that you're not renewing the lease is perfectly acceptable, but specifics vary by location.

Another option to consider is "cash for keys," where you offer the tenant a financial incentive to leave early. This can be a smoother, more amicable way to regain possession of the unit.

Lastly, tapping into local landlord associations can be incredibly helpful. They're often a goldmine of information and resources tailored to your area's regulations and can offer guidance specific to your situation.

Best of luck with your new property and navigating this transition!

- Will

Congrats on taking that next step! I'd add some sort of umbrella policy for insurance. Usually they have a million dollar policy that can help cover the gaps liability wise. Not sure if this is a part of the landlord policy but good tenant screening would be a big part too. This is a good podcast that goes over this a bit more in depth - Search "LLCs for Rental Properties & Bulletproof Asset Protection" if the video isn't popping up

Definitely take a look at the real estate rookie podcast and am also a huge fan of the On the Market podcast for more real estate related things. If you are wanting to learn more about business and how to get things generally setup look at traction by gino wickman, vivid vision by cameron harold, and story brand by donald miller. 

If you are diving into more of the FIRE movement I'd listen to Paula Pants afford anything. She is in between david ramsey (no debt ever) and Rich Dad, Poor Dad (super leveraged). Both are books you should also take a look at but ALWAYS know there is a spectrum to everything and take everything with a grain of salt. Just because you are given the same data as someone else does not mean you will make the same decisions. 

Hope that helps kicks things off for you!

Hey Connor! 

Congrats on diving into this wild world. I'd recommend you check out these places and get really specific on what you can help out with:
- REI events - Usually there will be a group in the area that will put on events and things like that to meet people who might need help.
- BiggerPockets Events - Take a look at the events going on near you with BiggerPockets. There is a section of the website that goes over this I believe or you can search for events through the website. 

- Property Management - If you are looking to learn about how to manage companies, this might be a good place to learn those skills. Just know that this is not as much of a "fun" thing to do. 

With all of this, get really specific about what you are wanting to provide in terms of a resource. Going to someone and saying, "I just want to help" is useless. You are now putting the ownest on them to come up with things for you to do. See what issues they may have and how you can solve it. Want to help out an investor verify deals, say that you are willing to drive out and record what is possible. Listen to their pain points and see if they'd be willing for you to help them out with those pain points. 

Hope that helps!

Hey Rachel, 

One side note is that Landlord's choice varies a lot but I'd take a look at local listings that do have a professional property manager and review their screening criteria. That is a good way to pick and choose what might best fit you. 

• Reliance Property Management - They have a lower cost for their investors. 
• Chroma Property Management - They are great at handling rentals and are pretty forward on pricing. 

West Ridge Property Management - They offer more a la carte options if you only need help with specific things.

Questions to Ask Your Property Manager - A list of questions that can be used to vet your property manager.

Hope these help

I've seen anywhere between 15-25% in the PDX market. 

Hi @Felix Lilly,

Your approach to buying your first property in the Vancouver WA area is a great start, especially with your interest in an FHA loan for its lower down payment requirement. Vancouver does tend to be more landlord-friendly, which could work in your favor. However, finding a single-family home (SFH) with existing tenants who are open to an owner moving in might be a bit challenging. It would probably be easier to buy the property and then rent out the rooms accordingly. Most tenants who rent a home are not looking for roommates. It's often a delicate balance between comfort and profitability when it comes to owner-occupied properties.

Renting out rooms, as you're considering, is indeed on the more profitable end, especially if you manage to secure a 3-4 bedroom property. If you're open to a bit of creativity and local regulations permit, converting additional spaces like garages into rooms can further enhance your rental income.

Overall, your strategy has a good direction. Just weigh the pros and cons. It might also be worth looking at STRs or using the new 5% multifamily loan. Best of luck on your journey to becoming a homeowner and a landlord!

Let me know if you have any other questions!

Hey @Ryan McKenney,

Welcome to the investor community! It's great to hear about your enthusiasm and plans for diving into real estate investment. Your strategy of accumulating properties, even while preferring to rent personally, is an interesting one and definitely has its merits depending on your long-term goals and market conditions.

Regarding your question about down payments, it's true that the landscape of real estate investing has evolved, and strategies that were prevalent a few years ago might not be as beneficial today. It's all about balancing your financial flexibility, risk tolerance, and investment goals.

Putting down 5% as a first-time homebuyer can certainly free up capital for other investments or expenses. However, it's important to consider the trade-offs, such as higher monthly mortgage payments and the cost of PMI, if applicable. While you mentioned understanding the implications of a lower rate and no PMI, here are some questions and considerations that might help you make a more informed decision:

1. Cash Flow Considerations: How does the choice between a 5% and 20% down payment impact your monthly cash flow? Would the additional cash freed up by a lower down payment provide significant opportunities for other investments?
2. Interest Rate Impact: Have you calculated the long-term cost implications of the interest rate difference between putting down 5% and 20%? Sometimes, a lower down payment can lead to a slightly higher interest rate.
3. Market Conditions: How do current market conditions in your target investment areas influence your decision? In a highly competitive market, a larger down payment might make your offer more attractive to sellers.
4. Investment Diversification: If you opt for a lower down payment and invest the remaining capital, what are your targeted returns on those investments? Are they significantly higher than the cost of mortgage interest?
5. Risk Tolerance: How comfortable are you with the level of debt and the monthly obligations associated with a smaller down payment? It's crucial to assess your risk tolerance and ensure you're comfortable with your leverage level.
6. Future Plans: Given your uncertainty about where you'll be in the next 2-3 years, how does this affect your investment timeline and strategy? Are you looking at these properties as long-term investments, or are you considering potential exits in the near term?

It's commendable that you're looking to take advantage of the first-time homebuyer opportunity. Just ensure that your decision aligns with a broader financial strategy and your comfort with the associated risks and commitments.

If you'd like to discuss this further or need help analyzing specific scenarios, feel free to reach out. I'm here to help!

Best of luck on your investment journey!