Looking for some great contacts in Oshkosh Wisconsin

[Khouri Rice]

I just purchased (2) duplexes in Oshkosh Wisconsin, and am looking to put together some excellent (vouched for, dependable, and trustworthy) local contacts. Specifically, looking for contractors (plumbers, electricians, carpenters, handymen, etc) that and are in the area and would be looking for an extra client who could keep them busy from time to time. Any referrals are greatly appreciated!! Thanks BP community!!

[Kyle Hipp]

@ Khouri, I definately understand where you are coming from looking outside your area. I was curious to what you know about Oshkosh or if you had a connection to there in the past that lead you to decide to invest there.

I went to college in Oshkosh for a while and get down there regularly throughout the year. There a tons of houses and duplexes available in Oshkosh and many sit on the market for quite a while. Some of the drawback to Oshkosh in my local experience are.

1. Local infrastructure is outdated. Roads are in pretty rough shape as well as water and sewer updates, which is common with relatively recent upgrade requirements.

2. It is a college town which has allowed many properties to become rundownand not maintained as well as they could be because college kids could just wreck them again. Rents are high because of the college population demand but vacancy is also on the higher side as well along with higher than average maintenance costs with the rental population.

3. Oshkosh truck is large corporation that makes vehicles for the military but this also leads to an up and down employments as they go from government contract to government contract. Their might be 700 jobs added one year and then 900 lost (just happened in the last six months) when a contract is completed.

4. Property taxes in wisconsin have a higher mil rate than most places and actual dollar costs seem to be above average as well.

I have considered investing there a couple times but with my area being a little stronger and more stable in some of the areas I have mentioned I have refrained up to this point. One property I did think was pretty good was just off the back of UW Oshkosh campus. It was a recently built 4 plex. I imagine someone tore down the original house and built this. It had a 6 stall carport along the back of the property, with at least 6 more parking spots alongthe driveway side and back side of the house. The building had its enterance halfway up the driveway in the middle. Walkin and go up the stairs to the upper units , two units in front and two in back. The building was built on a slab and each unit had 3 bedrooms and 1 bath with an open concept area for kitchen, dining room and living room. Rent was $1,200/m per unit and they only had 3 filled at the time. I figure one unit could be completely destroyed and cost maybe $5,000 -$7,000 to gut and put back together. If I were to invest there that would be an ideal path.

Like I said Oshkosh isn't just down the highway from me so if there is something specific you need assistance on feel free to contact me. I manage my properties myself and can handle most repairs. I do have several trademen on my call list for larger jobs or more involved ones that I don't want to take on. Hope everything goes well for you ;)