All Forum Posts by: Angela Liu

If any (REO, foreclosure residential property) investor around the DC metro area is open to letting me tag along (walking through homes, REO auctions, or any part of the process) in return for any free admin grunt work on my end you can think of, feel free to message.

Context: Looking to purchase first SFR long-term rental next year in the South- probably need to consider REOs, foreclosed, undervalued properties. Since, I'll be in the DC metro for a few more months, I'd like to take the time to learn about the challenges of REOs from the property hunting, repair valuation to the buying, auction, post-buy, rehab process.

Again, I'd be buying out of state once I relocate. So I'm focusing on the general knowledge that can help me with REOs or 'under valued' properties (the specific market aside). I am reading a lot on BiggerPockets but I think watching someone at this point go through REO properties online or in person, seeing them think aloud on repairs and costs, etc. would provide a different and key way to learn. Eventually, I'll be relocating to the South and doing the same thing but I'd rather start learning now. Let me know what I can do for you!

@Jeff B. - saw you recommended any city in TX. Curious about this - I was doing research mostly in San Antonio. It's a hot market but prices are still lower than say Houston or Dallas. Appreciation is likely but I'm trying to focus on cash flow. And my initial analysis is showing me that the cash flow in SA without having factored in CapEx, vacancy, repairs (but does include mortgage/principal, their uber high property tax rates 2%+ and HOA) is commonly at $90-200ish....these are probably for typical market properties-- not your rehabbed, distressed, REO types. I'm getting the sense that unless you go the rehab/bank auction/REO route, it's tough to get any positive cash flow. Any thoughts on this, or if I am off track somehow? I'm just starting out, so I'm not sure how this compares to other areas.

@Rich Ferradino thanks for the tip.  That's a good point.  

@Omar Bibian - Sent a PM with the connect request (included scheduling & contact)

@Omar Bibian - would love to connect for a 15-20 minute conversation with Lina on SA rental market if she's up for it.  

@Tyler Roicki most likely, buy and hold SFRs (I'm seeing a lot of SFRs in SA -- still looking into duplexes/triplexes) ultimately for passive income stream (retirement) - buy the first in the next year.  I know the key is to find under-valued properties for better cash flow..that's going to take some learning curve on my end. 

I'm planning to find a property management company that'll help educate me on the rental market in San Antonio (some of you might have seen that post).  I also think having a few conversations with a real estate agent/broker versed in dealing with investors/rental market would help bring me up to speed a bit more.  That said, time is money.  I'm  considering the likely possibility that agents/brokers may not want to commit any time chatting for half an hour unless it's with a committed, ready-to-buy investor.  Anyone have advice/insights on this? Worth trying to solicit an agent/broker for an initial FAQ convo on the SA rental market?

If there are agents willing to commit to a conversation or two, any referrals to an agent/broker with whom you have had good personal experience?

As one part of my research into the San Antonio rental market, I'm beginning to reach out to property management companies and look into finding one willing to share information/answer my questions (and with whom I can forge a prospective future business partnership) before I start investing in the area.  If anyone has a good experience with a particular company, a referral is greatly appreciated.