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All Forum Posts by: Aaron Bihl

Aaron Bihl has started 24 posts and replied 319 times.

Post: TX RE Investors using TREC to Wholesale

Aaron BihlPosted
  • Investor
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Posts 344
  • Votes 267

@Darionn James-Trigg there is a walk through video on youtube. I want to say it's like an hour long, but the contract can be a little daunting at first.  Hit me up and I can help you out.

Post: Greetings from San Antonio

Aaron BihlPosted
  • Investor
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Posts 344
  • Votes 267

Hey @Tomás Moreno

Welcome to BP, SA is a good place to be.  

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/99/topics/513518-san-antonio-tx-how-to-understand-this-market  

The thread above is a little dated but a great place to start.  I'd also recommend getting plugged in to some of the meetups around town.   If I can be a resource hit me up.

Post: Newbie from San Antonio, TX - Changing our family legacy

Aaron BihlPosted
  • Investor
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Posts 344
  • Votes 267

@Jed Hefner  welcome to BP!  Your story is great and this is the kind of stuff that gets me excited!  


I remember growing up thinking that if someday I could somehow buy a 200k house I would have made it.  Now a few years later I bought and sold a house that wasn't an investment that I accidentally made 10k on....I have a single family house that is now an airbnb with a lot equity, i have another 2 units that I own with partners, and i'm trying to get 2-3 more houses this year.  

Real estate is cool stuff and I feel like i'm just get started but am excited to see where it will take me and it's always awesome when I get to help others on their journey there as well!

Post: San Antonio - Looking to Buy and Hold

Aaron BihlPosted
  • Investor
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Posts 344
  • Votes 267

Welcome to BP Ben, 

As Rick mentioned numbers are getting tighter here and it's difficult to find contractors.  With that being said I was tell folks to make sure they are running their own numbers and that the numbers truly make sense (even if I'm the one giving them the numbers).  There have been several horror stories with out of state investors and it's not uncommon to be sent deals on foreclosed properties from hard money lenders, but with that being said there are definitely folks doing it and doing well.  

If I can be a resource let me know. 

Post: Carhacking...Renting a Car on Turo

Aaron BihlPosted
  • Investor
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Posts 344
  • Votes 267

@Neal Shue  from my experience it isn't worth the trouble with only 1 car.  It's just a hassle. 

And if anyone is interested here is a brief overview of my Turo experience.  I started with my first car around November, and now have 6 cars (1 has been unlisted and I've been driving it as my daily driver most the time)

2007 Honda Odyssey

2009 Toyota Prius

2010 Honda Insight

2015 Ford Escape

2016 Lexus IS

2011 Honda Insight (i usually drive this car)

I'm now at the point where I consistently gross over 3K a month.  Last month was 3700 and this month was 3250.  All of the cars except the escape and the lexus were bought with cash.  My monthly expenses with two car payments, insurance, and various repairs and miscellaneous expenses (washes, oil changes, etc)  are about 1500/month.  

In january/february I made a few changes and it has improved quite a bit.  I made sure every car is ready to be rented at all times and changed all the rental notices to 1 hour notices (its kind of weird how many people book cars that last minute, but they do).  I also started requiring all my cars be cleaned and vacuumed before being returned (this cut down on expenses and also make ready time between rentals).

I now consistently have my vehicles rented out about every weekend and throughout the week is somewhat sporadic.  

My recommendations:

1.  In my market (san antonio) inexpensive economy cars do well!  (and with turo's recent protection plan/payout scheme changing it makes even more sense).

2.  Your cars won't always be treated well.  My nicest car has had the rims beat up, has a giant gash in the hood, has been smoked in on multiple occasions.  And one of my economy cars has been stolen.  You simply take it for what it is.  Turo has allowed me to have a Lexus IS (the nicest and most comfortable car i've ever owned) and I don't pay for it, but sometimes people drive it hard and beat it up more than I wish they would. 

3.  If you are treating it like a business it's not going to make sense and will be more of a hassle until you have 3-5 cars. 

4.  Get great deals on cars.  Every car I've bought has been very inexpensive and a buy that I know even with more miles on the car I could sell for nearly what I bought it for.


Turo keeps making changes that make it less and less desirable to be a host, but for now its working and I'm debating adding more.   Most days I spend very little time dealing with Turo, but there are other days when its a nightmare, just like anything that involves humans. 

Post: Looking for Texas STR advice

Aaron BihlPosted
  • Investor
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Posts 344
  • Votes 267

Hey Steve,

I own and operate a few STRs in San Antonio (and hopefully will add to that number soon). I'm pretty well versed with our local STR ordinance as well, let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

-Aaron

Post: San Antonio RE Investosr & Mentors - Hello!

Aaron BihlPosted
  • Investor
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Posts 344
  • Votes 267

Welcome John, 

I would recommend checking out some of the meetups. There are several around town and they are great place to learn and meet likeminded folks.

Post: Starting up in San Antonio

Aaron BihlPosted
  • Investor
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Posts 344
  • Votes 267

Hey Nathan, 

Welcome to BP!  

-Location - This question is super broad and depending on the neighborhood/area of town houses can range from under 100/sq ft to upwards of 200/sq ft.  I would check out the content that @Jonatan Barbera and John Barr from Pryme Homes put out.  They do market updates which are great and John Barr has some threads on here that describe the market in SA.  

As far as contractors, this seems to be a pain point for many in the industry in San Antonio. 

And I would agree with @Cameron Tope. Be conservative with your numbers, second guess and verify any numbers that anyone gives you. Make sure it works with conservative estimates for rehabs and conservative estimates for ARV

Post: Aally's Housekeeping in San Antonio

Aaron BihlPosted
  • Investor
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Posts 344
  • Votes 267

Hey @Lana E.

I have a few Airbnb’s and would gladly take you up on a free cleaning (and could refer you to several others who may be interested).  Shoot me a message when you get the chance.