All Forum Posts by: Brett Ahern

@William Cavalier too funny, I am actually 2nd generation Novato, and moved back here in about 2008.  Definitely would appreciate any insight or suggestions if you're willing.  Still in the due diligence phase and trying to find the right area(s) to look at (as I'm sure you can tell from my original post).  I'll send you a connect request.  Thanks! 

@Lucas Machado I'll definitely dig a little deeper into FL to find out more.  I've heard a lot about Jacksonville, but have barely scratched the surface on my research into it.  Thanks for the the recommendation.

@James Wise will do, that's a great idea, thanks!

@Account Closed thanks, however that's not really what I'm looking for at this point in time

Thank you all for your time and advice!!

Thank you Alicia, Christopher, Gordon, Mike and Montana for your replies. I appreciate the offers and insight.  I'll definitely take you up on your offers and reaching out for more info. I greatly appreciate it. Haven't looked into Florida to much, but I'll definitely check it out. Definitely understand there are some big differences with kc, Indy and the Texas cities, but there are different aspects I like to  the different areas. Being new at this I am still working in what is most important to me, not to mention most secure for my family.

Thank you Michael, I appreciate it!

Congrats @Okeoma M.! My wife and I are looking to purchase our first investment property as well, and we just had our second child too. Thanks sharing the story and  for giving some inspiration!

Hi Everyone,

I've been a member for a little while, but have mostly done used it for learning up until this point, but am getting to the point where I want to be more active and am working towards my first buy and hold investment.  House prices have skyrocketed where I live, since we bought in 2011, so we will be looking likely out of state for our first, and will probably be going the turnkey route.  Been doing a lot of research on different companies and markets and am trying to do a little more due diligence to narrow down to exactly who we want to go with.  Really liking the Dallas and Houston markets, but also considering Kansas City, MO and possibly Indianapolis.  Will be definitely be making a trip once we narrow it down.  Any advice from people with experience in the above markets, or companies within those markets is greatly appreciated.  Thanks,

Brett Ahern

Thanks Hai, we more cash we can throw in too, another 10-15k.  I think it would be tough to find something around where I live though, so may be looking out of state (I'm in SF bay area).  I hadn't thought about private lending much, so maybe I'll give that a bit more thought.  I do have a friend how runs a private lending firm, so I'll reach out to him and learn some more.  

I've never really liked the idea of using my primary home as a cash machine, so that's where I'm feeling a bit hesitant, but with rates so low, I'm thinking, if I'm ever going to do it now may be the time.  Our payment would still be about $80 per month lower than it is now if we took the money out.

First post here, looking for a little advice.  We doing a refi on our house through my work (I work at a bank) to lower the rate from 4.5 to 3.75.  Really the only reason we are doing it was because there is a one time no processing fees, and discount through my work.  Well the appraisal came in quite a bit above what we expected, and that being the case we have the option to take about 17k out (expected 625k, came in at 670k).    Doing that would raise our payment only slightly, instead of lowering it which was the original intention. Considering doing that to use as the down payment on our first rental.  Any thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated.