All Forum Posts by: Benjamin S.

Hi All,

I am in the process of wrapping up my first project. As expected, I had some troubles with the GC on quality of work, what was agreed to VS what was done, etc. I have met a lot of good workers in different trades that I would like to hire on my own next time, my only concern is not having workers compensation for them if something happens and one of them gets injured. Not only will it be bad for them, but it has the potential to turn my business upside down. Is there anyway around this. I am not a licensed contractor, and I have an LLC set up, but I would most likely pay these guys as contract employees. Thoughts?

Thanks,

Ben

Jackie Lange Great tips, thanks for the info, I will definitely be utilizing that! Do you know if there is a way to find out about the dead meters? I know most data for meters is stored in the cloud now, but I doubt any big public utility would give up that info without signed consent.

Doug R. I also got my list from listsource, but I am thinking about checking out Odesk in the future. I was going to have someone cross reference the adresses with google maps street view to see if the properties were distressed, but the pictures are 3 years old. I've read you need to do the best you can to target, in other words, get absentee owners, with equity, and then do a blanket approach. It sounds like that is as refined as you can get without driving the addresses yourself.

HI All,

I am a licensed agent in CA, but I currently am not using my license. It is active at the DRE, but it is not hung at a brokerage and I am not practicing. I have been told by others that I am not allowed to market to distressed sellers and enter into contract with them on a property because I am held to a higher standard with my license. Is this true? I am starting a mail marketing campaign and want to make sure everything I do is legal/ethical.

Thanks!

Doug R., I am having the same issue. I have a list of absentee owners, with equity, both in state and out of state, but when I went to look at some of the properties, they were in pristine condition. I am particularly looking for distressed properties to flip. How do I know which ones are the best to target without driving for dollars? Or is this the most refined target list to come up with?

Hi Everyone,

Shout out to the community for some of the best content I have come across yet! I am a new investor, and recently found a very solid opportunity for my first flip. The only issue is that it is a Probate Sale. I have read a lot about Probate Sales, but I just wanted to get some feedback from others on whether this is too risky for a first time investor? With how fast the market is moving and the limited inventory out there, I don't want to get stuck tying up the next few months in a Probate Sale. People I know that have been through the process say it usually doesn't take much longer than 30 days. Thoughts?

Thanks!

Hi All,

I recently decided to get involved in investing, and have since been educating myself, going to investment seminars, and trying to soak up as much information as I can. I live in San Francisco, and am primarily looking for properties in the East Bay, CA, since the capital to enter is much less there. Question for the seasoned vets out there: Outside of using an agent, going to foreclosure auctions, and marketing myself, are there any good strategies or websites to find wholesale deals or cheap distressed properties? How do I get connected with bird dogs, or wholesalers? I am having trouble finding inventory to invest in. Any advice for someone new and trying to start out in the rehabbing business would be great. I look forward to being a part of the bigger pockets community and contributing where I can.

Thanks everyone!