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All Forum Posts by: Alex Mocanu

Alex Mocanu has started 0 posts and replied 9 times.

Post: Cashing out IRA to buy rental properties.

Alex MocanuPosted
  • Investor
  • Metro Detroit
  • Posts 9
  • Votes 2
Quote from @Steve Englehart:

I currently have two long term rentals and am looking into buying into the short term rental arena. I know there are penalties and tax implications but wanted some advice on cashing out Roth IRA or IRA to buy investment properties?


 Hi Steve!

As others have suggested, you can actually buy property with a specific IRA account. In fact, if you qualify as a sole proprietor (real estate agent, broker, small business owner), you can have something called a solo 401k and use that to purchase property. I have actually done this and can say that it is a pretty complex process with many rules. For example, you are not allowed to co-mingle personal funds with plan funds or work on the property yourself.

I think that cashing out an IRA to buy rentals is not a terrible idea if you can get decent returns in your market.

Post: Building my first spec home!

Alex MocanuPosted
  • Investor
  • Metro Detroit
  • Posts 9
  • Votes 2
Quote from @John Burtle:

Well, here goes nothing. This has been a LONG time coming. 

I have wanted to get into flipping houses and building houses since I was a little kid. I helped an Invester from the age 14-19. He flipped houses, built apartment complexes etc....so that's where me wanting to do all of this comes from.

Rather than flip houses I'm going straight to building a new home from the ground up. I am beyond nervous. But unless you take a chance you'll never know.

Some basics on the home. It will be a single-story ranch with a full semi-finished basement. 9' walls. Laminate flooring in main areas with carpet in the bedrooms. 4 bedroom, 2 full baths, and the basement will have a full bath roughed in as well as a wet bar rough in. 1 egress window in the basement for a future bedroom. I will frame the future bedroom, but not finish it.

Vinyl siding with partial stone across the front. Oversized 3 car garage. 2182 square foot total.

I came up with $385,000 to build for material/labor. It appraised for $519,000. I will be listing for $495,900.

I'm building in a brand-new subdivision. Of course, the subdivision is surrounded by other subdivisions that are full of homes. There's one home that's already built and sold. It sold for $440,000 5 months ago. Its about 900 square foot smaller than the one I'm building. 

There's another one that's almost finished. It's still for sale. That guy started his build 6 months ago and has had it listed since day one. They are just waiting for a few odds and ends, but it'll be done in a week or two. 

What makes me nervous is his hasn't sold yet for the $495,900 price. It is basically the same house I'm building. Just different colors etc....He initially listed his for $505,000.

There are comps in the area that justify the 495-500K.

I plan to do some of the work myself. I plan to prime the whole house and then have a painter come in and paint. I will prime/paint the garage myself. I will do some of the flooring myself, set the cabinets myself, and do some other odds and ends. So that 385K should drop down to the 370's all said and done. Again, these are all rough numbers. We all know how things can change. 

The bank set me in at 7.1% interest (construction loan short term)

This will be a side hustle for me. I have a full time w2 job. (I ended up getting my real estate license last year as a side hustle too) because I was dead set on flipping/building homes. I want to save a little $ by not having to pay an agent over 25K in commission for a project like this. I'll be offering a 3% commission for an agent to bring me a buyer for this build. At the end of the day, it will probably take about 5-6 months to build it start to finish. I hope it is sold before its done. That's of course the goal. Worse case if it is done/sold within 8-9 months and I profit $15-20K I'll be happy with my first big project. The end goal is to make $30K all said and done off new home builds and subbing 90% of the work out. Builders in my area have told me that's generally what you can swing. At times you can profit $40-50K. It just depends. Those profit numbers are after all expenses are paid. 

I will post pictures as the build comes along. The basement will be getting dug next week. So, if you're interested, please follow along! I will post pictures, numbers, and anything else one may want to know from start to finish. I have read so many books, read so many posts on here, and have listened to so many podcasts. I am so excited to do this, but I don't think I've ever been so nervous! 

To the ones who build/have built spec homes I'd love to hear your stories and advice.


 Hey John! Thank you for posting your detailed plan. Since it's been about 6 months from the time you wrote this post, I would love to know how things are going. I am planning to do something similar in Michigan. I have a few long term rentals, I am a licensed agent, and in the process of finishing my first flip. Long term, I would love to get more into building and developing.

Post: Michigan Home Building and Spec Building Start Up

Alex MocanuPosted
  • Investor
  • Metro Detroit
  • Posts 9
  • Votes 2
Quote from @Joseph E.:

Hello All,

I am a 28 year old in commercial construction (project management). I have recently been getting more into the idea of wanting to become a builder. I am set to get my Michigan Residential builders license later this month. After that I am thinking about going right for my real estate license. 

My question is: how do I start with little personal capital? I have about 10k MAX to start. What is the forecast I should be looking for? What level should I start at? I eventually want to get into building 5-10 houses a year, building myself up to the somewhat more recession proof market (Im thinking $650k+ builds, I also really enjoy lakefront.) I know that is a big goal to reach, however, where should I start? I am getting really into code, building systems, job cost, etc. I have heard the key to making the money is in the price of the land. Is this true? I really need a play by play, please. 

OPM, construction loans, etc. I think I would really enjoy spec home building. Maybe some flips, too. Again, I work in commercial construction management at a top ENR GC. It has slowly groomed my work ethic and I am still always learning. However, it has shown me that that type of contracting is not my passion and I want to really take my life into my own hands. I am just looking for a little guidance or a point in the right direction.

Thanks,

J


 Hey Joseph! I know that this post is old, but I was curious if you ended up pursuing your idea. I have similar aspirations and I'd love to connect. I am located in Livonia :)

Post: Acquiring 4 unit

Alex MocanuPosted
  • Investor
  • Metro Detroit
  • Posts 9
  • Votes 2
Quote from @Nick Sarangoulis:

I want my next purchase to be a 4-unit multi family property. I want to know where the best markets are at the moment and is it possible for me to acquire one while only sitting on $15k. I have yet to purchase a primary residence so I can do 3.5% down with fha but then there are closing costs. Maybe i can get seller assist with the closing costs or seller financing on the deal? I would like to know what is possible with that amount of cash… second question is… Is it a good idea to make an investment like this that is far from where I live… ex. I am in Reading, Pennsylvania and there is a good deal in Phoenixville Arizona. Is it worth it/possible to hire a VA and make it work? Is it a good idea to visit these locations and make connections/check out the real estate? I appreciate any feedback. I am fairly new to investing, 24 years old, live in Reading, Pennsylvania.


 Hey Nick! Congrats on getting started on your goal. You ask where the best markets are, and also state that you are considering buying as primary. It will be very difficult to do that in a location other than your market. Unless you have a job offer in Arizona, how is the Loan Officer going to issue you an owner occupied mortgage out of state? 

Additionally, I think that your $15k is a little slim in today's market. Impossible? Definitely not. But any little hiccup or bump in the road is going to put your investment at risk.

My suggestion: save a little more and focus on your local market. Good luck!

Post: New poster looking for some help

Alex MocanuPosted
  • Investor
  • Metro Detroit
  • Posts 9
  • Votes 2
Quote from @Ben Van Gorp:

Hello all I have been reading through many posts on here, watching YouTube etc. I am most interested in finding some people local to get ahold of to pick their brains/ learn from them. 

I own a house (NW Indiana) that I fully renovated and now have 200k equity in it. I am looking to learn what is the best way to leverage that through LLCs to get into the multi family or long term rental investment game. 

Looking forward to any information, criticism, and ideas from you all. Thank you! 


 Have you considered purchasing a 1-4 unit as an owner occupied and renting out your current home? You could tap into the equity if you need for a down payment/renovations. This way you could end up with 2-5 units total. You would get some decent experience and confidence. After one year you can repeat the process. Now you have 4-9 units. You have gained experience, credibility, and equity to go after the next deal or potentially a commercial property (5+ units). Good luck!

Post: What's the First Step?

Alex MocanuPosted
  • Investor
  • Metro Detroit
  • Posts 9
  • Votes 2
Quote from @Nicholas Ramirez:

A lot a newbie investors spend so much time trying to learning "the right amount" of information before jumping into investing (as if there's such a thing). But every experienced investor says it's more important to just make the jump, take the leap, take action!, and learn as you go; that taking action is better than waiting for perfection. My question is, for someone who is usually so focused on planning everything out first, (ex. waiting to be in a strong financial position), what would you recommend the first 3 steps to be to "taking immediate action?"


This is pretty low hanging fruit: If you do not already own real estate (personal occupancy) I would start by purchasing a SFH or 1-4 unit using a conventional mortgage:

1. Get a pre-approval letter from a trusted mortgage broker (I would avoid large banks)

2. Connect with a Realtor

3. Start learning your market and run numbers

Post: first fix & flip project

Alex MocanuPosted
  • Investor
  • Metro Detroit
  • Posts 9
  • Votes 2
Quote from @Gaya Ben Simon:

Hey bigger pockets community!

I'm thrilled to begin my first fix-and-flip project in Lakewood, Cleveland. 

What tips and precautions can you provide In order to succeed in this project? 

For those of you who have done a fix and flip in the Lakewood area, what tips can you share to increase the ARV?

Thank you ! 


 I am in the middle of my very first fix and flip project myself (well mostly towards the end of it thank God). My advice for you (and my future self) so far is:

- be very detailed about underwriting your deal

- add at least 30% to what you think your rehab will cost (even if this figure came from a GC)

- have a really detailed design concept before work starts (including fixtures/trim/color scheme/etc)

- check with your city/township's building department and see what permits you need up front

- have more than one exit strategy

- add a few weeks/months to your projected timeline

- purchase cash if at all possible

- build relationships, take notes, and learn lessons along the way

- have fun

Good luck! Let us know how it turns out!

Post: A good way to start out as a redisential developer?

Alex MocanuPosted
  • Investor
  • Metro Detroit
  • Posts 9
  • Votes 2
Quote from @Marlon Thomas:

I was just wondering if buying properties and rehabbing them would be a good way to transition into becoming a residential developer eventually?


 Hey Marlon! I know that this post is super old. I am curious if you ended up dipping your toes in the development world.

Post: Looking for CPA recommendations in Michigan!

Alex MocanuPosted
  • Investor
  • Metro Detroit
  • Posts 9
  • Votes 2
Quote from @Drew Sygit:

@Peter Trifan google Frank Alcini in Troy


 I have used Frank for a couple years myself. He is a great guy.