All Forum Posts by: Bob Razler

Hello @Addam Driver :

That is somewhat good news.  I don't know ANYTHING about zoning in GA but your next step should be to check that the seller was ALLOWED to just add another structure/dwelling to the lot.  Many zoning laws cover items such as density (dwellings/acre), lot coverage (building area/lot area) or impervious area (house+paving area/lot area) all of which could have been violated by someone just going "wild west" on the lot and building homes there without subdivision/zoning approval.

Zoning Ordinances and Planning Ordinances are usually online these days and the County/township/city will have a record of any applications filed for building a new home on the parcel.

Just a word of warning that a seller might not want you rocking the boat if the structure is non-conforming.  So you might want to do your investigations on the sly.

LOL....regarding a possible 2-fer......I wouldn't count of getting a free house.  The seller might have build the home without approval and just thinks they are selling you 1 of them.  :-)

Bob

Hello:

Never go by google maps for property issues like this.  Go down to the county courthouse and pull the file on the lot.  Hopefully, there is a plot plan done by a surveyor at some point in the past.  The county should also have tax maps that show all parcels (with rough dimensions).

Those resources should give you an idea of the lots involved and the respective owners.

Good Luck!

Bob

Hello @Krista Carter !  Congrats on your decision.

I am jealous of your market.....I wish I lived in a place like yours!

Best of luck!

Bob

Congrats @Pedro Jimenez ! 

Learn and network all you can.  Find a great mentor and partner with an investor to learn the ropes.

Bob

Welcome @Ken Alston !  Congrats on your decision!  Best of luck!

Hello @Hans Waisfeld !  Welcome!

Good luck in your learning and REI career!

Bob

@Nick Ferrari they will build a better dummy.  :-)

Hello @Clayton Crawford :

Many states/municipalities use a multiplier or millage to calculate taxes.  It has its uses but it also lets them increase/decrease the taxes without reassessing all the properties.  You just raise the multiplier and taxes go up.

While the assessed value can have some relation to your property value, it's not uncommon in some area's where it is not accurate.

Bob  

Hello @Ken P. 

Congrats on your success!

 Hello @Edward Shen :

Congrats on your decision.  I grew up in Philly and after dealing with the prices down here I am envious of your market now!  :-)

Are you planning to fix them up and flip or seek our underpriced deals and flip as is?

If you are fixing up, renovation costs are going to be one of your biggest risks.  I echo the advice of @Kevin Wiley .  Get out there and meet people.  Get some mentoring on estimating repair costs so that you don't end our buying a loss.

Best of luck!

Bob