All Forum Posts by: Brian Johnson

Hello Rachelle,

First I want to welcome you to Tampa Bay area. Also  you do not need a real estate license to buy investment.  I moved from Lexington Ky to Tampa not to long ago and have become a real estate agent. In Lexington I still own 5 rental properties.  One thing I have noticed is it is a sellers market.  A lot more buyers than sellers, so finding a good deal will be more of challenge.  One thing I would do is focus on the area close to you.  It makes things easier when the unit has problems or vacant. This site is a great place to learn tips and ideas.  So ask a way and you will get some great answers.  I am more than happy to help you find a deal or give you some tips to find your own.  Most of the time if you are starting you will be looking for a property that is already listed for sale so finding a good search site will be a good start. The broker I work for has a good GPS type of search.  As you drive around you will see properties that are listed. 

  Good luck with your search. 

You came to the right place for real estate answers.  A wealth of knowledge is on this site.  Welcome to BiggerPockets!

Thanks for the advice posted on this thread.  I have been talking to different brokers trying to find one that suits my business plan.  It has been a learning experience for me.  Mostly by searching online.  I moved to Tampa and have no connections or ties.  So I am trying to learn on my on for the most part.  Thanks for any and all information.

Brian

Welcome to BP.  A great forum to have all your questions answered.  I just moved to the Carrollwood area of Tampa.  I also want to try my hand at flipping. 

Welcome to the site!

I like the tips posted.  I passed my exam and now looking for a broker.  Some good tips that I will put in my notes.

I have owned rentals for many years and one thing that my tenants said they like best is me to answer phone and fast response.  This is something very important in running any kind of business. Answer phone and doing what needs to be done fast.

 I would think that would be illegal to do.  That would be very bad in every aspect if they did that I would think.  I get the copy of the lease agreement but never anything other than that.  Them making $10 or $20 extra on a property would not be worth the outcome if they were cough doing such a act I would assume.

Thank you for your input.  Going to the normal real estate agency web site hardly says anything about managing properties.  I feel that if they are not being clear on the web site then the managing side takes a back seat.  I found one agency that was clear about doing both sides and of all my search I have only found 1. 

 So if you are going to start a PM co then I guess the broker you work under does not manage properties?   Am I correct to assume?

I recently got my Florida real estate licenses and now I am searching for a broker to work under. I also want to manage rentals with a property management company as well. I have been trying to find a broker in the Tampa Florida area that has a very clear focus on both selling real estate and also managing rentals. This has become somewhat difficult. It seems to be one or the other when I go to the website of each broker. Perhaps I am not doing the correct search. If I search real estate agencies then all the companies have info only on selling/listing but no rental management info. The same is when I search property management search.

I just assumed these two fields would work hand in hand but it is not that clear. Is this something I will have to wear two hats? Will I need to find a management company to work for and sell real estate on the side/ simultaneously?

Thanks for any help

I just turned my properties over to a management company so this is new for me as well.  They just ask me what my lowest point is and they set to the point at which we went to get rented for.  I just assumed it was the norm.