All Forum Posts by: Ben Landis

I live in San Diego and am currently trying to figure out how to get my first rental property. As of last year year we own a condo. The original plan was to live in the condo for 5 years and then rent it out so we could buy a house, but I have an itch to buy something before that to rent. My problem though is that real estate here is pricey especially with the market the way it is. Everything I have read says that your first rental property should be close to where you live and especially not out of state. I can only afford out of state at this point. Do I just need to be patient and keep saving? Risk out of state purchase? Look for someone to help me with a down payment? Thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

I couldn't find the information I was looking for so I figured someone here has to know! I have a friend who is renting a bedroom in San Jose, CA. Her landlord lives in the rest of the house. She wants to get a new lock on her bedroom that would require a key. Her landlord is fine with this but they want a copy of they key and the ability to enter the room whenever they want. I know if you rent a house a landlord needs to give you 24hr notice before coming by: is this different when you rent a room? I'm just trying to figure out what her legal options are. Thanks!!

Hello everyone, I recently bought a townhouse for my family and am planning on remodeling both bathrooms. We plan on living in this property for 5 years and then either Renting it out or selling it. My question is this: there is a small bathroom upstairs with a tub/shower where all 3 bedrooms are and there is a medium size bathroom downstairs off of the living room with a tub/shower. Size wise it makes sense to just have a shower in the upstairs bathroom and leave the tub in the downstairs bathroom, but for resale value does this make sense? Thanks, Ben

Hello Everyone. Been lurking on this website for awhile now but am now just becoming active. My wife and I moved to San Diego this past spring to have a better life for ourselves. We are currently in Escrow on our first Townhouse that we plan on living in for a few years before we rent it out, but atleast we own something now! 

I have always been interested in real estate investing but have now decided to take it seriously and find a way to make it a career eventually. 

I look forward to learning a ton from all of you.