All Forum Posts by: Jared W Smith

Wanted to chime in... 

There are several factors that go into the legality of bedrooms. Some of the issues include light & air requirements, minimum head height, minimum room square footage, minimum glazing square footage to name a few. Local zoning requirements and Floor Area Ratio (FAR) may also be an issue. (Based on my architectural experience and the laws/codes in NYC/NYS.)  

The inability to rent may be one hiccup if the person inspecting is knowledgeable enough. Your biggest problem would be in the sale of the property. If not legal, the attic would be deemed for storage and nothing more.  Hope things work out. 

Thank you @Jonathan Pflueger 

Thanks @Cassio De almeida. Yes I'd like to start with multi-family residential with a buy and hold strategy to accumulate a portfolio of properties. I am sticking to where I know best, Westchester County and possibly in the Bronx.  

Thank you @Dmitriy Fomichenko. This is very helpful. I'm getting use to the areas within the site. 

Hello, I am a new investor joining here. I acknowledge I have much to learn. I am a licensed Architect in NY with many construction industry connections which lend itself to owning property. I am ultimately looking for financial freedom. Thanks in advance everyone.  

Hello all! My name is Jared. I am new to investing and new to Bigger Pockets. I've perused the site the last few months and felt that it was time to take action and engage. 

I currently own a coop (rental) and recently purchased a single family home for my family as our primary residence. They are both located in lower Westchester County, NY. I've spent the brunt of my youth and adulthood in Westchester therefore I am well versed on locations, just need to match this with the real estate knowledge.

Also i am in a very related field. By profession  I am a licensed & registered NY State Architect. I have taken part in the renovation of both my properties as well as many other single and multi-family residential properties. I have connections to contractors, plumbers, electricians, material suppliers (counter tops, tiles, cabinets, plumbing fixtures, etc.) as well as engineers, home inspectors and surveyors. 

I am here to help others with connections but also gain knowledge to dive into investing in the near future. Thanks in advance for your help in my growth.      

Would love to hear how and what properties you started with here in Westchester or other parts of lower NY. (Not NYC. I know this is a different animal.) Starting out is daunting to say the least. Is the first investment deal the most stressful?