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All Forum Posts by: Bernard Barbour

Bernard Barbour has started 3 posts and replied 7 times.

Hello, I live in Augusta Georgia. We have a large active group of Real Estate Investors that meet every month. How can we post our event? Thanks

Hello, I live in Augusta Georgia. We have a large active group of Real Estate Investors that meet every month. How can we post our event? Thanks

Investment Info:

Condo buy & hold investment.

Purchase price: $138,000
Cash invested: $10,000

Welcome to South Carolina’s Riverfront

Fully furnished 2nd floor studio apartment awaits. There are no other occupied units in this building. You are above a three car garage. Just bring your clothing and toothbrush. With views of the Savannah River, The River Club Golf Course, and within 2 minutes walking to SRP Stadium you'll enjoy the tranquility, location and convenience. Additionally the North Augusta Brick Pond, Hammonds Ferry Restaurants, The River View Recreation Center and both North Augusta, as well as Augusta Downtown are within walking distance. Newly renovated with beautiful modern decor, all new LVP flooring, granite countertops, a new refrigerator and dishwasher have been installed. Ceiling fans, 40 inch Roku smart TV, and all utilities are included. Bathroom includes a ceramic tile floor, shower and single vanity. The unit is equipped with a stackable washer and dryer, Well stocked with towels, sheets, pots, pans and toiletries. The Greenway & SRP Park is steps away! Walk from your door along the Savannah river's edge to various riverfront dining and entertainment spots.

What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?

During Covid, I moved back to Augusta Georgia from St Petersburg Florida. I was temporarily living with my family until I found something to rent. I knew of these units being built down by the waterfront back in 2007 when I lived in North Augusta and l wanted to buy one. Well it rented it for a year and told the owner I wanted to buy it if he put it up for sale. In late 2023, I got an email from the owner that he was ready to sell. At the time I was living in South America and told him yes!

How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

I bought it as-is.

How did you finance this deal?

Hard money for the first 6 months and then refinancing it.

How did you add value to the deal?

I bought it as-is. Had to add the following. Hard wood stairs, LVP flooring throughout, completely painted. New refrigerator, dishwasher, granite counter top and sink, new faucets and plumbing, fully furnished.

What was the outcome?

It was rented in the first few days I put it out there.

Lessons learned? Challenges?

I can do this! Even when living out of the country, I had all of my contractors lined up and everything went according to schedule.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

None. I was a former Broker with over 20 years experience.

Same experience here. Screening and setting expectations. Also met with their caseworker. Haven't had a single issue in years.

Quote from @Nick Gray:

I think in terms of Section 8 tenants, you either love 'em or you hate 'em. Just thought I'd share a positive experience on here. 

Currently living in our duplex and our Section 8 tenants live beneath us. While not necessarily "white collar" citizens, we have had nothing but smooth sailing since they moved in. Their rent payments come through in full and on time every month, they take care of their own utilities and have never given us reason to think they'd let utility payments lapse. Most of all, they take great care of their apartment and the property. Sometimes it even feels like they're the owners and we're the renters (just a joke). But there are plenty of times I come home from work and they are outside cutting the grass, cleaning up the yard (even keeping our street space clean), & taking all of our garbage cans to the street for pick up day. And they always come out and help when they catch me doing these things, even when I beg them not to.

I think this goes without saying, but screening is the most important thing we can do as investors/landlords. We stuck to our guns and gave no breaks in the screening process just because they have rental assistance. They met the credit requirements, passed background checks, etc. and the driving force in the selection process was speaking with their prior landlord. They had been with him for 15+ years and they were only leaving him because he decided to sell off his assets and retire. He gave a glowing review, mentioning that they had demonstrated many of the same qualities that we've seen in them and so we took a chance. 

Sorry for the long post - just wanted to point out that there are positive experiences to be had with Section 8 as long as you do your due diligence and use sound judgement, as you would with any other tenants!



Quote from @George Red:

Hey Mackaylee, have any tips/tricks for making contact with someone with HAKC withing a reasonable timeframe. I have 2 section 8 tenants and it's been all but impossible to get in touch with someone in the office there... one tenant is WAY under market rent and I'd like to remedy by getting them to increase their portion rather than having to evict and then re-place a tenant. I've been unable to make a reliable contact with HAKC, any insight?

How far are you away from their office? You should make a visit.

- George