All Forum Posts by: Bjorn Ahlblad

At the end of the day it is about putting the money to work-whether yours or someone else's. Being retired I am buying cash flow and using my own money; I can buy an annuities, index funds, invest in stocks, and/or buy property etc. Whatever makes me feel comfortable and meets my goals. When you are young you typically need leverage to grow that empire/thing you want, and that's good. For me, as an old guy my interests have become far more conservative, and return focused; but I still want it to be fun! REI fulfills that desire, and you are right there is not a lot of Warren Buffet about it-but I don't have his budget. ;<)

New to BP myself, now retired and doing this for cash flow. I own a 12 unit apartment and 2 duplexes within an hour's drive from home. Looking for another deal or two-it is addicting! 

I love real estate and like to see it, and feel it. It is satisfying for me to come here and talk REI and improve my skills, and perhaps even help others.

If the numbers work and the tenant has not trashed the place, he/she is an asset-at least in my view. Month to month is better than a lease anyway, it is easier to replace than evict, and way more pleasant. All investments carry some risk; but it would seem two of your main bases are covered. Let us know how you are making out.

I too had been under the impression that section 8 tenants are not terribly desirable. In talking to a seasoned pro yesterday he said they are just like the rest of the tenant pool-some good and some bad. "Look at them as any other prospective tenant". 

Your tenant has been in that property for 8 years! Have a look at the place-or have someone else do that-and check out the condition as best you can. I personally do not have any section 8 tenants; but might be open to that in the future. Best of luck

Thank you! @Curtis Bidwell and @Naomi Pinger! Hope to be there.

The 'Seattle' effect is felt all over Puget Sound. We are feeling it here in Tacoma and Olympia, and Bremerton too; but the housing market has taken wild swings in this area before. The good thing is that even if prices soften the rental market has held up pretty well throughout, at least according to my research.

I think it is a personal preference coupled with the market you are in. We recently sold our primary in California and got 6x on our money after 30 years.

My name is Bjorn Ahlblad from Shelton, Wa. I retired and moved here from Silicon Valley, California about two years ago. I have since bought two duplexes in  Olympia and a 12 unit apartment building in Aberdeen. Last year my wife quit her job in California and now lives here too; she manages the apartment building and the duplexes are professionally managed for now. 

We would like to add another 4-6 units; but good deals are tough to find in this market. We are buy and hold investors looking for cash flow-I am not qualified to be a cashier at Wall Mart!

We joined BP to hone our investing skills and hang out with like minded folks-there is not another site quite like this one!

 If you are still looking United Roofing Solutions did a great job replacing two roofs at our home. Their office is in Olympia and they work all over Tacoma, Shelton etc.