All Forum Posts by: Aaron Saarela

Hi Marie, 

We are investors who live in Lower mainland South Surrey area but we invest in Prince George B.C.

We go to a fun event on the last Sunday of every month in fleetwood Surrey with a great teacher name Anton. Its from meet up.com WIN Network.

Amanda and Aaron Saarela 

Curious what other use for book keeping for their rentals.

Do they use a program, employ a book keeper, or pen and paper? 

I am still trying to see what fits best with us.

Currently we have 11 units to track but expanding.

Thanks, 

Aaron Saarela 

How do you get past your 5th property and purchase the 6th or 7th? 

What can I expect to acquiring the 6th and 7th purchase? 

Is there still residential lenders who will lend for 6th or 7th? Do I move to commercial? Do I use alternative lender?

Thank you for all your help navigating through this new obstacle.

Aaron and Amanda Saarela 

Hey Tajinder,

Did you ever find a good accountant? 

I dont mind having a accountant in a different area than us but probably in bc would be best.

We also attended that keyspire workshop Dec 2015.

We enjoyed it but no way we were going to sign up for the membership. 

We invest in Prince George BC and have been since 2012. Mostly single family homes with suites.

Purchase Four House's

Just noticed my husband had message above before :P funny! I use his account! 

Hi Stanley Kong,

We have 3 single family homes with suites up there and know the area very well since we lived there from 2012 to 2015. Nation Crescent is one of the bad streets. Much crime, low end rentals. When you think slumlord thats one of the streets. Not saying that this isn't a good investment for some people but wanted to warn you of its title. All the street surrounding are pretty much fine, just this one street.

We would never invest on Nation Crescent too many problems. We also wouldn't invest in VLA, South Fort George, Ruggles, Cuddy Crescent or Mcintyre. Plus our management wouldn't even take them on currently. 

We meet investors always looking to sell these property but....... According to many wonderful real estate investor the ghetto's appreciate the fastest if you can put up with the tenants and they would invest in them everytime. 

We were very interested in a duplex on Ruggles st when new to the area (its still for sale today i believe 3 years later), and almost put an offer on one in VLA (still available), and went through a crazy 4 plex on Mcintyre. Feel like we dodged a bullet on those three! We often went on nightly drives to check out areas and we drove by the duplex on Ruggles st about 6 months after at 1:00am and it had tenants big parties on each side. We felt lucky that wasn't our place.

Any questions about Prince George I would be happy to answer.

Amanda Saarela 

Looking for a mortgage broker/lender in or around my area. I am in Surrey, BC.

I think BC would be fine. I am having trouble finding the 1/10 mortgage brokers who are proficient at investment deals.

Also looking for good accountant.

If anyone has anyone they recommend, Its very appreciated.

Thank you, Amanda and Aaron Saarela 

That would be great. We so far have stayed out of the VLA as it is known as (and is) the ghetto. although, the numbers there are higher for you. Our property management wont or at least prefers not to take that clientele. Our rentals are in the more desirable parts of town, lower numbers  more quality tenants (UNBC students, CN rail employees, police officers, sheriffs, and so on). We are looking to head up there to do an annual check-up (me in person, not management, which by the way is an even 10% and no hidden levees and is adequate, lol...) oh ya and it is only about a 9 hour drive from Vancouver if you do not wish to fly,like myself, who books weeks off work to bring his mini-van full of tools and do some of the repairs and maintenances immediately on site seen.