All Forum Posts by: Alex Baxter

Florida's major metros are all far more expensive than the Midwest with the exception of Jax which I am between 3 and 5 hours away from. May as well be Midwest at that point. I'm not interested in investing in any property more than a 45 minute drive from a major metro, regardless of the state. 

As far as setting something up in person, that's great and all but if I don't know who I'm talking to I'm not going to have any better a time in person vs remote. I'm looking for references here and hoping to find people who come recommended by others as a starting point. People can lie to your face just as easily as over the phone. If I'm going to trust someone with something like this, I don't think a recommendation is an unreasonable goal.

Hiring a PM was a solid suggestion, I'm fine doing something like that but would again want a recommendation.

 Yes I'm currently located in Orlando but have roots in the Tampa metro. So far it looks like most of the PMs I'm seeing love to nickel and dime you on random things like the lead paint inspection or utilities etc. Hard finding someone who will just take a simple 10%/mo and 1mo rent on turnover. I have a property in FL and the only costs I have are 10%/mo and 50% of 1st months rent on tenant placement. I get markets are different but when I see literally a dozen different 25$-50$ fees I'm not at all interested in working with those people. Unfortunately that's been the last 3 or so PMs I've looked at.

@Bob Stevens

No time like the present, anything I should be avoiding? I have heard horror stories of evictions with section 8 tenants and am going to be aiming at c+ to b- neighborhoods, so hopefully I won't need to worry about that. 

Hi guys, I'm new but I do a lot of research. I have put in over 100h and feel confident I know what I'm doing from a functional standpoint. I don't have a team and need to build one. Before I start calling everyone in the metro area and interviewing them I figured I would come to you fine folks for recommendations or advice.

I need a good PM, contractor, handyman, and an agent. I'm unlikely to sell anything and plan to either fix and hold or buy turnkey. I am also not super flush with cash and won't be doing a ton of deals right away, so I might not be worth the time of a big player. I am perfectly happy working with a PM or Agent who can handle everything for me from start to finish, but am skeptical and want references. I understand these services cost money and have no problem paying people for their work. Everyone's gotta eat.

I want someone who is going to hold the handyman/contractors accountable and validate that they are completing work on time and up to standard. Videos and photos of the work as it's being done are a big help. I need people who understand my perspective and will not fight me on holding them or others accountable. Trust is earned, as the relationship grows I will be less nosy, but early on I might be annoying and someone who understands that and will put up with it is a must. I am not unreasonable, just afraid of losing money halfway across the country trusting people I don't know.

If anyone has any recommendations in the area I'm all ears. If anyone has any alternative suggestions for me or words of wisdom I'm always open to learning more.

Thank you all for reading!