Finally an introduction

[Mark Baldwin]

Hello everybody!  I'm Mark Baldwin, and have actually been a long time user of the Bigger Pockets message boards, but have never actually made an introduction or post myself.  I've finally realized I can't go it alone, and none of my old excuses seem to make sense anymore.  I guess I'd presently be considered a part time investor.  I was/am involved in the development of a roughly 5 acre parcel on Kauai.  We have to date built our own primary home, and 3 additional rentals, with the possiblity of building 3 more.  It has been a long and arduous path...but we somehow made it to the other side.  However, while I've learned a lot, and definitely improved my finances on paper...It has done very little to my wallet.  Kauai is an expensive place to build and develop, especially when doing it on a small scale as we have.  I've tried to purchase a few flips, but the market is particulary challenging due to the extreme lack of inventory.  Anything at a fixer price point garners a great deal of attention and interest.  While I haven't given up, I am tired of waiting for things to work out where I live.  I'd like to begin figuring how to monetize the equity I have in my property, without selling.  I am considering some version of turnkey, but don't have a great deal of cash to leave in a property.  I am happy to have finally made my first post...took me way too long, and am looking forward to what comes next!

[Mark Baldwin]

Thanks for the welcome everyone!

The County of Kauai makes things tough here. There is a very limited geographic region that allows vacation rentals. This drives costs up. This and the insane HOA fees make vacation rentals tough. We actually sold one hat had been in the family for a long time due to the pathetic returns we were getting. My homes are not able to be vacation rentals due to this geographic limitation. On the flip side, if everyone could vacation rental their home, there would be nowhere for local people to live.

And full disclosure, I didn't purchase the land that we just built on. It had been in my family for a long time. To purchase and develop that kind of parcel here requires a great deal more knowledge and money than I have!