All Forum Posts by: Blake Jennings

@Daniel Fitzroy

I put my picture up! It took someone telling me to do it I guess. I’m in the same boat. My biggest thing is, how do you start a conversation when you see a property or have one in mind. Driving yesterday I found a property here in my home town that could be easily rehabbed and filled with students, no question. I see this often but have no idea how to get these out there.

@Stephen Brown that’s a great idea. I’m very curious as to what the investor scene looks like in my home town. The whole reason the town exists is because of the college. Interested in the response!

Hello BPU.

Upon further reading and listening, I’ve finally realized that a partner is a must have for my investment goals. I’ve never been a social media guy and I’m not very good at reaching out to others that share my goals. I’m reading (listening) as many real estate books as I can but I’ve come to realize, that’s only part of the game. What are some book suggestions that might help me with my networking shortcomings? Thanks for the help in advance!

@William S. My baby is due in June. Just got pre-approved. What thoughts, tips, guidelines (criteria) do you have for buying that 1st home, so that I can leave it behind as a rental? I’d like to repeat this process as many times as I can until I don’t have to move to acquire more properties.

Hello BPU!

I live in a small town with a Large University in Ohio (Full disclosure I work at said University.). I’ve noticed there has been minimal changes to college student occupant levels. 2nd year students were permitted to live off campus this year to avoid there being too many students to close together on campus thus increasing demand for student rentals of all shapes and sizes.This year has also seen record high first year student in person attendance. Wondering if other towns /Universities around the nation are in the same shape?

Hey Daniel, From what I've gathered being a life long college town resident, most landlords around here will rent for all 12 months/per bedroom (students may move out for the summer but are still required to pay) . and require a 1 month deposit from each occupant. All the signs in the yards and windows and on all the property management web sites are all advertisements for the following year and are typically up mid way through fall semester. It's pretty crazy driving around in the fall of 2020 and seeing "for rent 22-23 school year". That being said, with this process in place and the extremely high demand for these houses/ apartments your turnover is completely built into you rent structure.This year was very interesting! I work for the university in my home town. We did a 10 week fall semester and we are now in week 5 of a 16 week spring semester. This school year the University let sophomores live off campus vs the years before were 1st &2nd year students were required to live on campus. With the pandemic changing our lives daily and the sight of vaccines on the horizon, I'm very interested to see how that policy changes moving forward. When that decision was made last year, 100's (dare I say 1000's) of leases were picked up and signed over night. Last note here is There has been (from what I've witnessed and discussed with others) near zero drop in student rental occupancy, and this year is the largest incoming class in school history which is 5,000 +. Sorry for the novel! would love to hear more of your thoughts!

Hello BPU!

I live in a college town in Ohio. There are apt buildings popping up left and right for sale. I feel like Owning student rental in this town is a win win no matter what the property is/looks like/ condition. You’ll make your money back and more. What’s the best way to shoot these deals out to possible partners? I feel like I’m sitting on a lot of opportunities with out the proper way to connect. Would love some help/ suggestions. Thanks for the help in advance!

Hello BPU!

I would like to give direct mail marketing a try here in my home town. My criteria stands as a SFH, 3bd 2ba, 1000+sqft, 1970s+, seller financing, live in for my wife and unborn baby girl. What are some items I should add? What's the best medium to use for my first round? I plan on spending $200 Max but my vision is using a very simple format for my first round for much less. ( paper, hand written, envelopes from Walgreens, stamps, etc...). Am I headed in the right direction? Thanks for the help in advance!!

@Joel Calkins

Thank you Joel! (Yea, I’m not the best at posting on social media) very goods points! I’ve known the owner for years. I just want to make sure he takes me seriously.

Hello BPU!!!

I’m going to make my first attempt at opening up a discussion with a seller asking if he would be willing to finance a 3bd 2bath ranch (currently rented to my grandmother who is moving out) up to a percentage in which a bank would pick up the loan. What are some good starting points to open up the discussion? What are some items that would make the deal attractive (in general) right away? What are some things I should avoid saying/suggesting? What’s the best way to avoid sounding like just some random dude saying “hey can I have your house? I’ll pay you.then I’ll get a loan later. Thanks bye.” (In droopy dog voice.) thanks for the help in advance!!