Multi-Family and Apartment Investing
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback
Updated about 10 years ago,
Need local knowlwdge for Corpus Chirsit, Texas area.
I am seriously looking at Corpus or that area to start investing in for buy and hold . I'm thinking quads or commercial level apartments. I have been able to get a lot of detailed info about rehabbing on 4 units or less since they are classed as residential and since I'm planning on doing owner occupied for quite a while I think I'm OK there with doing a lot of my own work. The questions I have are about commercial apartments. I am figuring since what I have to work with is definitely a shoe string budget, as far as start up , what I will end up with , worse case scenario is some ones white elephant that the current owner just wants to get out from under. I am allowing for the fact it may very well be vacant, That's OK. As long as they will finance it, I'm good with it. I have tried looking up this info on net but so far I'm coming up blank. Maybe I'm just not using right search terms. I don't know. For now , this first deal will be for very low end apartments. I am not into being a slum lord but the goal is to provide housing as cheap as possible and still make a better then break even profit.
What I don't know is :
1. Can I do my own electric, plumbing and mechanical work on an owner occupied commercial building?
2. As I understand it, occupancy permits require every thing be inspected first. i figure electrical is going to be out dated. so I am wondering as long as it is working and safe and fit the code that was in place last time it was done, will I be OK, or will I have to redo the electric, plumbing and mechanical to get past inspections to get an occupancy permit since it is classed as commercial?
3. I found the city building codes. I have yet to find a link to Nueces county building codes. Does any one have a link that can help?
4. I realize the electrical, plumbing and mechanical licenses take schooling etc but while I found the link to get licensed for handy man other then paying the taxes to get the license is there any other requirements? If so a link to the info would be well appreciated. Same question for dry wall and painting, grounds keeper, landscaping as owner occupant.
5. On an older building that your going to rent and hold and not wanting to do a lot of updating on, what is the bare boned minimum others are doing?
6. I read landlord tenant law for Texas. As long as it is safe and not a health hazard is my understanding of all you technically HAVE to do. What are the inspectors looking at to satisfy this? I already know about smoke and CO detectors and the bolt less locks and peep holes.
7. What is the average going rate for a decent handy man that is worth their pay?
Thanks for all the help