All Forum Posts by: Branden Smith

My and my partner @Jorge Soto have sent out our first mailers and sent one to our place just to see what the card looked like. I received the card in the mail today so time will tell if we get any calls. We have a website set up and a google voice. We also decided to go with customized postcards and will adjust as necessary to find out what works and what doesn't. 

What has helped others with closing some deals when they receive calls?

Thanks. 

@Charlie FitzgeraldI am buying a SFH with my VA that I plan on living in for a couple of the years, renting it out, and then trying to buy another in a year.

@Jerry Padilla My original plan was too buy a 2-4 unit with my VA loan. Since I do not have 2 years of experience I could not find a place that would take the rental income into consideration.

Thanks for the responses!

I am interested in using the BRRR method in the future and had some questions on the refinance part. I am currently in escrow for a single family home that will be financed through a VA loan and want to buy another property in one year. I like the idea of the BRRR method but was wondering how hard the refinancing part would be for someone in my situation. I understand that all banks will have different requirements but since I am Active Duty and do not make a ton of money and I will have one mortgage already (If everything works out) will that be a red flag for the banks? If I can find a great deal do income and debt matter as much when I go to refinance?

Perfect question. Me and my buddy are both from California and have a year left in the military and we're just talking about where we should move. Im from Orange County as well and do not want to move back.

@Craig E. Thanks for the information. Your point on loose lending makes a lot of sense. I was informed by my agent that I shouldn't wait that long due to the possibility of a rise in rates but my main concern is not digging myself into a whole from the start because I'm using my VA loan and I have to be able to rent it out if I leave the area. I plan on a buy and hold with this purchase and will keep looking.

@Tyler Flagg Thanks for the advice. I've actually read a lot of the information you've posted on VA loans and it's helped me a lot.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I will be attending the next local meet up and have been listening to the podcast. I can already tell that all the people on here are a lot of help. 

I am currently in the market for my first property and will be using my VA loan. Due to using the VA loan and putting no money down I know I have to find a great deal and can't justify anything that has come up on the MLS. I am currently looking at new ways to find better deals. My main question involves the possibility interest rates going up. At the moment in the Roseville, CA area houses are selling very fast and with an interest rate hike in the future I would think that housing prices might pull back a little and it will no longer be as much of a sellers market. I'm wondering if I should buy an alright deal before a rate rise or be patient and find a great deal even if there is a chance of the loan having a higher rate.

Thanks,

Branden Smith

It will be my first webinar and I look forward to it.

Hello everyone on Bigger Pockets. My name is Branden Smith and I am currently living in Roseville, CA. I currently have no properties and have not done any deals. I have been reading books on a variety of different types of investing to include real estate for about a year now and feel like its time I start taking action. While book knowledge has its place I don’t believe anything can replace gaining real experience. Bigger Pockets has been a great all around place to keep me motivated and excited about real estate investing and I look forward to helping, meeting, and learning from everyone on here.