Arlen Chou

Experience: I have been in the industry as a hobbyist for many years and I have only recently become more serious about the industry. In the past I was purchasing properties to live in, sell and then move up market. I have reached a level of home that I am happy with and I have now ventured into rental properties. In 2013 I purchased two four-plex building that are next door to each other, effectively giving me 8 units in one shot. I spent a little over a year renovating each unit myself and doubling the monthly rental income of the property. Since that point I have added 11 additional doors in the Bay Area. I also own and directly manage 3 commercial buildings: 1 small retail space and 2 industrial buildings. Real Estate Goals: My current goals are to learn as much as possible about the actual physical upgrading of properties so that I can fully understand the costing and time lines quoted by contractors. I believe by better understanding the fundamentals of construction I will be in a better position to negotiate costs and timelines for future "value add" projects. My midterm goals are to increase my number of buy/hold properties and potentially enter the "flip" market. For a longer term goal, my plan is to create companies that are process focused, so that my investments are able to run without daily guidance on my part. Currently Seeking: I am currently seeking knowledge in different strategies for expanding my REI business.