All Forum Posts by: Justin Schmitz

Thanks guys, I'll check these out!

Here's something that I am kind of unsure of. I've been reading and hearing in the podcast that you want to figure out what the rents are in an area so that you know if your rents are too low, too high, just right, etc. My question is, is how do you gain this information? Do you boldly knock on the door and get the contact information for the owners, do you talk to a real estate agent, knock on the doors of tenants and ask them what they are paying?

What are some good ways to obtain this type of information without being inconsiderate?

Thanks,

Justin

@Tiffany Plovie I think you are correct. My thought was that this article really depends on what you are trying to accomplish with RE. I read this and at first I just hear someone complaining again about the doom and gloom aspect. I feel like people that write this stuff have been burned in the past. Anyway, I am just really curious about how people handle the negativity and uncertainty. Sounds like you have it under control. :)

Hi guys, my name is Justin and I am just a little guy in the real estate ranks. Although I have had my mind on RE for 5-6 years now, it's just no time has ever felt right to just jump right in, and so, I have just been sitting here being inactive and living in a world of what if's and theory, which I am sure many of you can relate. I'll be turning 29 in June, I have a decent job in downtown Boston as a software engineer, but I am still unhappy that I have not yet started on this venture in real estate, especially since it has consumed so much of my mental thoughts. Anyway, I have been listening to the podcast here at BP and soaking in as much as I can.

My goal like many of you here, or the goal that makes the most sense to me is investing in multi/single family homes long term and renting them out. At the moment I really have no interest in flipping, wholesaling, etc. I want to keep things as simple as possible. I'm sure there are plenty out there that would argue that these are niches are doable, but based on my own sense of comfortability, I am generally risk adverse and if I don't understand something I tend to walk away until I have time to pursue it in more detail. Don't know if this is a hindrance.

My roadblocks... Boston man, while I have listened to these podcast, I can't help but feel like Boston is way overpriced right now. It feels like it is cheaper to rent than to own. Should I be looking elsewhere while I'm starting out? I do not own a car right now, so it is sometimes a problem to get out and about to look at open houses and other opportunities, especially if they are out of the city. Lastly, I just have an overwhelming sense that I am simply stuck, dead in the water before I have even started. Is this normal?

Real estate has been something that has been on my mind for way too long and to have not taken a single step is really disheartening. I am here on BP first and foremost, to learn as much as possible, but to also build relationships with other like minded folks. I have asked a couple of questions already here at BP and everyone has been so gracious, this really is a seemingly great online community, so thank you so far.

• moving to correct location

Housing Crash Basically doom and gloom article explaining a negative side of real estate, thought this would have been shortly after the crash in 2007/2008 but looks like it was recently published. What do you guys think?

@Ann Bellamy Yeah, I thought of doing that as well. There is normally a service I like to use called spaminator, which sets up basically throw away email accounts. A lot of people have been mentioning the MLS, but I thought you needed to be a Realtor or licensed to gain access, is that true?

I also like @Shaun and @Jason idea of just driving around the neighborhoods and seeing what is out there during the weekend.

Clinton,

I will also give Trulia a look, thanks.

Hey Shaun, more of a issue about not knowing what I am signing up with. Don't want to be blasted with spam and such. I did get onto redfin and there are some properties that I was able to find with open houses this weekend which I am going to go check out.

Hmm, I have heard of redfin, and I will look into them further. I didn't know that they could offer this information, which is cool. Thanks for the pointer Mirinda!