All Forum Posts by: Anil Shah

I allow tenants with dog. As long as they don't have history of aggression, I won't have the liability. But you need to check with your insurance- my first insurance didn't cover breed like German Shepherd and I had to change my insurance. Besides, make sure tenant has rental insurance that includes dog as well, if not they can take a separate pet liability insurance. Also, check with your HOA if they have any breed restrictions. As long as you follow the guidelines properly, it's not an issue.

Hi Christine, I am a real estate investors based in Raleigh, NC and also work as a Realtor. Similar to your situation, investing in prime location is Raleigh area has also gotten expensive (not as much as Bay area) and as such, I extended my investment portfolio to nearby suburbs. I just bought two new construction houses where builders were offering 5.25 % interest rate for investors. Townhouses start from 255K and single family from low 300K. Let me know if this would be of interest to you. I am particularly bullish in NC - good weather, no nautural disaster and climate risk, and excellent economic opportunities. NC had the largest numbers of people moving in, second only to Texas. 

My best practice for rate buy down is a break even period of 4 years or less and my personal prediction of rate for the near future. I am not buying down rates right now due to my personal prediction that it just come down to 6-6.5 in next 2 years. 

If you are a RE investor, always go with realtors who owns investment properties. And not those that they bought pre covid but rather in the current market situations. Ask them why they decided to buy what they bought - it will give you all you need to know about their thought process and if they can procure a good deal for you. 

I am a realtor in North Carolina and I am actively buying properties for myself as well as for my investor clients. I put my money where my mouth is and I am also buying properties in localities where I am selling to my investor clients. 

 Short answer - if they originate a loan that they want to sell to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, they need to follow their guidelines. Most loans are sold to those two entities. 

Hi Aaron, any particular reason that your mentor suggested buying rental first? I am not sure I agree with that strategy. You have to put more money down and pay a higher interest rate and is limited to only 2% IPC. Taking the risk of a tenant while you yourself are renting is not optimal in my opinion. If you can live a year in the property, I would recommend buying a primary, live there a year and rent it out afterwards. Buying a duplex and househacking is an excellent strategy though. 

Indeed - I see bright future for North Carolina as a whole and for all major population centers like Charlotte metro, Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) and the Piedmont Triad region (Greensboro-Winston Salem-High Point). I live in the Research Traingle areas and has been aggressively investing in real estate here as well as helping my investor clients invest in the region. With a milder climate, lack of natural disaster, good economic opportunities, and decent governance, NC has a bright future.

Since I read a townhome, I assume there is HOA - do they allow STRs? Many HOA don't.

Hi George, what's your current rate? Refi in these market conditions might not be the best move. You can try HELOC to get some money out. That way, you will at least keep your original rate.

I am realtor and real estate investor in Raleigh-Durham area in NC. I focus on turkey properties and new constructions. If you are looking for properties here, happy to connect. There are some properties in the outskirts which makes sense from investment perspective. 

Good luck Adam, it's sure takes a village. As someone mentioned, the only thing passive about real estate investing is the tax treatment.