Moving to Jensen Beach, Florida!

[Account Closed]

Hey fellow investors!

We're moving from Cedar Rapids, Iowa to South Florida in the next couple of months! We'll be there around mid-May, I'm guessing.

I'm hoping someone in the Port St. Lucie, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Vero Beach, Jensen Beach or any of the other surrounding areas will be able to help us out once we're down there. I'll be needing an investment realtor, a real estate attorney, a great credit union, and someone who'd be willing to spend some time helping us get to know the area and who can be honest about the demographic areas.

We're interested in small multi-family buildings mostly, but if the right flip comes along, we'll jump on it!

We'll be relocating specifically to Jensen Beach, Florida.

We're closing on one last investment before we leave (a duplex), and handing it all over to a property manager.

Goodbye, Cedar Rapids! You've given us two awesome 4-plexes, a duplex, and a great flip house, but it's time to bid you adieu :).

[Mitchell Jaworski]

@Account Closed- I deal with Palm Beach County, where prices are starting to get a bit ahead of themselves.  Most deals now are in D rated neighborhoods

However, properties in decent neighborhoods in Martin county can definitely be had for more reasonable prices, but the rents, incomes and strength of employment there are also lower than PBC because many more bigger business and corporations are located here.   That's all I really know about the area.

What services do you need from a Real Estate Lawyer?  Leases, notices, etc?  We don't need them for closings in FL.  I know a good one that just relocated to Jupiter (about 45 min away from Jensen)

[Account Closed]

@Mitchell Jaworski thanks for the information! I'd need a real estate attorney to set up an LLC for me - I have one LLC here in Iowa and it's worked out great, I know each person has their preferences. I also like one to give me the low-down on whether or not COOPs are a thing in Florida, and just to have an attorney in place, just in case.

I have heard that Florida real-estate is starting to come back... I just hope I'm not tardy to the party! haha!

Thanks!

[Glenn McCrorey]

Are you going to keep your investments here?  Just curious, I manage my own properties here in CR but wondered who is a good property manager if I went that direction.

[Jon Huber]

@Account Closed I just closed a deal in Port St Lucie, and am closing a triplex next week in Palm Beach County. I have great mortgage group, handyman, and an aggressive property management company, if you are interested. Shoot me a PM, and I can exchange the contact info to you.

[Account Closed]

@Jon Huber I'm interested in everything mentioned! I sent you a colleague request as well as a PM. Thank you!!

@Glenn McCrorey Yes, of course I'm keeping my investments here! We are using Preferred Property Management. No complaints from us or our tenants... so far!

[Louis Puma]

@Account Closed, welcome to the South Florida market! I'm a newbie looking to buy my first property, but I am willing to help in any way that I can.

Touching on what Mitchell said, there doesn't seem to be many investor-friendly deals in the Palm Beach County area, but there seems to be more promise in the counties to the north such as Martin County and St Lucie County. This is just based on the casual research I have done on the Zillow and Trulia sites. Maybe if you talked to a realtor or had some creative marketing you might be able to find some better deals.

Either way, best of luck to you in your new ventures! Feel free to connect with me to network.

Regards,

Louis Puma

(561) 797-7766

[Eric Odum]

Not in Jupiter area, but Keith Ringspaugh and John McMillan are both pretty good over here in the Tampa area.  They are Florida Bar so it shouldn't matter unless you really want to see them in person.  All of my dealings with them have been over the telephone and I live and work here.  I think posting their numbers is against the rules, so If you are interested, PM me and I will provide. 

[Glenn McCrorey]

@Account Closed  Good for you, thanks for the input and best of luck in Florida.

[Erik Stark]

I would advise you to get in the streets. I just moved to Ft Lauderdale from MI and when I moved, I set up absentee marketing (500 per week), probates (about 50 per week) and then I spent every day in the streets looking for abandoned (non foreclosed) properties and skip traced the owner. Mailing only goes so far right now. What people are not doing is getting in the streets and contacting people direct. 

[Account Closed]

@Louis Puma I sent you a connection request with a quick note... thanks for the info!

Thanks, @Eric Odum! I'll most likely take you up on that once i get settled!

Thanks for the luck, @Glenn McCrorey... probably going to need it!

And @Erik Stark, great advice. I'm moving for a full-time job, so I won't be in the streets everyday, but I'll do what I can! I always thought the mailing thing wouldn't be effective. I know when I get something like that in the mail, if it doesn't look like a letter from someone I know or an official bill - i toss it, haha!

[Erik Stark]

Then you very well answered your own question...

Read this article. It may offer some insighthttp://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5630/blog_posts/40317-why-guru-s-suck-and-why-most-newbies-are-failing-because-of-it

[Account Closed]

@Erik Stark what question of mine did I answer?

I'm just searching for an investment realtor, a real estate attorney, a credit union.

Someone has helped out with a bank and attorney... Now all I need is a great realtor in the area who is familiar with working with investors :).

[Erik Stark]

I know when I get something like that in the mail, if it doesn't look like a letter from someone I know or an official bill - i toss it, haha!

soooo....rather than not mailing, you now know what you need to do to get your letters opened.

[Austin Davis]

Congratulations @Account Closed!   You have accomplished a lot in a short time in CR and definitely added to some great input to local conversation that has helped me.  I look forward to keeping up with what you accomplish in Florida.  I wish you and your family the best of luck!

[Adam Moehn]

Enjoy Florida, @Account Closed! Don't miss the Iowa weather too much!