All Forum Posts by: Benjamin Branson

@Avery Rustad hasn’t it already been tried? Several times? I think the reason it fails is because real estate just like any other business usually has people succeed who didn’t always do the best in school. They have a screw or two lose that allows them to reject what conventional wisdom is trying to tell them. Instead of satisfying credentialism they satisfy their own vision. School does the opposite of set you up for success as an entrepreneur. It sets you up for being an employee.

Buying out of state properties and I realize that having an LLC would make my operation look a ton more professional. I had an LLC once but felt like I was overpaying for the service that they were providing. Anyone have a recommendation? All I am doing is buying out of state properties to rent out long term.

I’m an investor with two out of state properties. Right now I’m looking to do deals but more important to me is personal growth for long term returns. I’m looking for someone or a company who needs help cold calling people. I’m wanting to get good at the marketing aspect of real estate. I’m thinking I will get my third deal sometime this year but know after that one I’m gonna have to start getting creative to find deals if I want to speed up my growth and I know the biggest area I lack experience in is marketing.

I did my first skip trace and the guy came up as on the DNC registry. I am wanting to buy his home as an owner occupier. I live a few houses down from the vacant property he owns. I do not know the legal liabilities when calling someone on the DNC registry. I would be buying the house in my name. Any advice?

Wanted to give all of you an update as to what I found out since you were gracious enough to provide advice. I got in contact with a lender where I am going (Virginia) and looks like I can use my VA loan again with orders on a house in Virginia and would provide me more than enough money to get a house moving. The VA also does not need as much rental history as a conventional lender expects (they just need leases to show that the income from rent covers the mortgage). So the plan will be to go ahead and buy a third rental property out of state and then use the rest of the VA loan moving to Virginia. Thank you all for the advice!! Debt to income still applies but is very different with calculating the VA entitlement and gracious with rental property owners. Good to know!!

Wow that is surprising. Yea I think I’m just gonna reach out to a lender and see what I qualify for and see how it changes with the rentals. Makes sense to just let the experts tell me. 

So I own two rental properties and cash flow about $600 a month between the two. Both are long distance. I am in the military and know that I will be moving to a new duty station next year. I am wanting to buy another long distance property (3rd property) but I also want to house hack when I get orders to move (4th home). My biggest concern is that when I move I won't be able to get a loan for a fourth house because my debt to income might get too high. Should I be concerned that I won't be able to get a 4th loan? How do I know when banks will no longer give my a loan because of my debt to income? 

Thank you so much for the advice. I have some homework to do for sure. This is also small town area. It doesn't have supply at all but some demand. My concern with being an “out of town owner” is that these tenants will tell the rest of the town not to move in because of injustice. I know that perceived fairness especially in this small town is important because word travels fast. If it was a major metropolitan area I wouldn’t think twice and implement all those things. It’s also a small town so if people don’t pay their rent word travels fast and Honor and someone’s word is still a big deal there.

I’m buying in Indiana if anyone has experience with this in that state.

Dave G. Thank you!! This helps