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Updated about 4 years ago on . Most recent reply
Hello BP! Nice to be here! New and looking in Ohio.
Hello BP!
For starters, the "Pro" designation under my name is (for now) a lie! I'm not even a newbie. I've been lurking here for about a year and I finally decided to say hello and get started. I upgraded my membership in support of this community that has unknowingly helped and educated me during this past year. Thank you all!!!! I'm now officially looking to purchase my first duplex or +3/+2 SFH and do a live-in flip. I'd like one that needs some updating and/or repairs but one that is inhabitable along with a few other specific criteria. And, I do like those older houses. I live in California but will be moving to Ohio when I find the right property. I'm interested in the Cleveland area and will not move before February, even if I buy sooner. Mostly because I think I will die if I arrive in snowy weather, haha. For now, I'll be trying to network a bit and find a real estate agent that is familiar with investor clients and the markets in the Cleveland area and someone who would love to work with me and my love of older properties. I love the idea of a messed up property making the transformation and while I know I am not ready to manage anything of that sort, it doesn't stop me from wanting to watch it done somewhere else. So, I spend time on the internet just looking at properties "just because" and I'm embarrassed to admit how much I actually do that, haha. I don't have a real story on how I got here but I am one of those people who ordered the late night "Make a million dollars in Real Estate!" course years ago and then put it away after seeing what that really was. Then I bought books and watched YouTube videos. I'm here because I stumbled onto BiggerPockets.com somehow, the light bulb came on and I realized for the first time that there was a real path toward what I wanted to do and a community full of other people in various stages of doing the same kinds of things. I can't wait to look back and offer some insight to someone else one day. See? No story. Anyhow, that's me and this is my official introduction! By the way, I'm open to other areas too and I'm ready to go. Until then, I have a few questions if I can get anyone to bite. Thanks so much in advance! It's really great to be here! :)
1. I particularly like low maintenance landscaping....rock/stone, solar lighting, mulch and "unkillable" plants (even some *gasp!* artificial grass around walkways). I never see that on most of the properties I seem to find, just huge areas of grass that I would think need to be watered and/or cut a LOT only to be killed during winter. Is there a practical reason for all that grass and all that maintenance?
2. Is it too soon to find a general contractor? I have $$$ questions that will affect my decision to buy. Then, on the one hand, I don't want to acquire something that sits for months because I can't find a GC not booked for the next 10 years. But on the other hand, I have no project yet so can't really ask for a commitment or even be sure I'll need one at all. Can I assume my soon-to-be realtor will have contacts already?
3. Can I expect my soon-to-be realtor to help me with determining ARVs?
Looking forward to meeting some of you!
Donna
Most Popular Reply
Originally posted by @Donna Dade:
Hello BP!
For starters, the "Pro" designation under my name is (for now) a lie! I'm not even a newbie. I've been lurking here for about a year and I finally decided to say hello and get started. I upgraded my membership in support of this community that has unknowingly helped and educated me during this past year. Thank you all!!!! I'm now officially looking to purchase my first duplex or +3/+2 SFH and do a live-in flip. I'd like one that needs some updating and/or repairs but one that is inhabitable along with a few other specific criteria. And, I do like those older houses. I live in California but will be moving to Ohio when I find the right property. I'm interested in the Cleveland area and will not move before February, even if I buy sooner. Mostly because I think I will die if I arrive in snowy weather, haha. For now, I'll be trying to network a bit and find a real estate agent that is familiar with investor clients and the markets in the Cleveland area and someone who would love to work with me and my love of older properties. I love the idea of a messed up property making the transformation and while I know I am not ready to manage anything of that sort, it doesn't stop me from wanting to watch it done somewhere else. So, I spend time on the internet just looking at properties "just because" and I'm embarrassed to admit how much I actually do that, haha. I don't have a real story on how I got here but I am one of those people who ordered the late night "Make a million dollars in Real Estate!" course years ago and then put it away after seeing what that really was. Then I bought books and watched YouTube videos. I'm here because I stumbled onto BiggerPockets.com somehow, the light bulb came on and I realized for the first time that there was a real path toward what I wanted to do and a community full of other people in various stages of doing the same kinds of things. I can't wait to look back and offer some insight to someone else one day. See? No story. Anyhow, that's me and this is my official introduction! By the way, I'm open to other areas too and I'm ready to go. Until then, I have a few questions if I can get anyone to bite. Thanks so much in advance! It's really great to be here! :)
1. I particularly like low maintenance landscaping....rock/stone, solar lighting, mulch and "unkillable" plants (even some *gasp!* artificial grass around walkways). I never see that on most of the properties I seem to find, just huge areas of grass that I would think need to be watered and/or cut a LOT only to be killed during winter. Is there a practical reason for all that grass and all that maintenance?
2. Is it too soon to find a general contractor? I have $$$ questions that will affect my decision to buy. Then, on the one hand, I don't want to acquire something that sits for months because I can't find a GC not booked for the next 10 years. But on the other hand, I have no project yet so can't really ask for a commitment or even be sure I'll need one at all. Can I assume my soon-to-be realtor will have contacts already?
3. Can I expect my soon-to-be realtor to help me with determining ARVs?
Looking forward to meeting some of you!
Donna
Grass is easy to maintain, you just mow it, weeds and all. If you have sculptured landscaping, especially if you are trying to have mulchbeds and areas of rock, "nature will find a way." You will spend more time picking weeds out manually than if you just had plain grass, and tenants will NEVER maintain it, but they will mow. Also, if you have landscaped areas that change the layout of the yard, you have to spend a little more time mowing around them and weed-whacking the edge. I really prefer no landscaping at all, just plain ol grass. It's not the most elegant but its very easy to maintain.
The grass doesn't die during winter, it stops growing so at least you don't have to mow it. I also never have to water the grass unless I just put down new seed. Ohio is becoming extremely wet (at least central ohio) which keeps the grass happy.
I wouldn't bother signing with a realtor and communicating with a contractor until you are 100% serious about an area and want to pull the trigger. You should also come out and visit some of the cities and areas. You may hate Cleveland and love someplace like Yellow Springs, who knows.