All Forum Posts by: Brian Knox

Hey Team!

Say, hypothetically, that you were considering starting a blog because there was a topic (real estate or otherwise) you had a little knowledge on. And you had a mildly catchy name for the domain name and the content...

Are there specific legal steps to go through to make sure your stuff doesn't get copied?

Or can you just do the whole "Copyright etc etc etc" at the end of the blog post?

In other words, if I start doing the work of coming up with a certain concept and putting out helpful content on it, how do I ensure somebody doesn't quickly grab the concept and go grow it for themselves (potentially quicker than I can do it myself)?

I appreciate any insight you may have!

Brian

Hi @Ebrima Drammeh ,

A few general rules of thumb that I've found to be pretty true:

1) the famous 2% rule: See if the market rent for the property you buy is at least 2% of the purchase price. Ex) If you're looking at a house that costs $50k, you'd want the monthly rent you can command to be in the neighborhood of $1000. I think most people will say that it's difficult to find these 2% properties and I definitely agree.

2) the 50% rule: Whatever you're paying out in Principle, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance each month (so essentially your monthly mortgage payment), it should be 50% or less of what you're taking in each month in rent. Ex) If you're PITI payment is $400/mnth, you'll want a place that can be rented out for $800/mnth.

I have limited experience from just one long RE venture, but I found each of these rules to be pretty true (despite the fact that - when I first heard them - I thought they were ludicrous and ridiculously conservative).

Brian

Hey Brian! Another Brian in Mauldin, here. I'm a fellow Clemson alum also (1996-2000). I'd sure be open to chatting anytime. I'm not yet financially in spot where I can invest, but I've got a touch of Rental experience and learned some lessons (to where I may could help you avoid the same ones).

I'm mainly on here to meet like-minded and driven folks. And also to learn more about Tax Lien Certificates. Currently I'm working at a Plumbing, Electrical and Air company so I'm learning a good amount about the major systems of houses. I'm hoping that will help for when I jump back into investing some day.

I'm probably less of a flipping guy and more of a rental income guy.

Get in touch anytime. I love this stuff.

Brian

Hey Guys!

I'm new here and looking to HELP and to LEARN. I have rather limited RE experience but - all in all - I would call the venture a small success.

I'm all about connecting, being humble enough to learn from others, and taking the long slow road to financial security.

Cheers!

Brian

Hey Guys!

I'm new here and looking to HELP and to LEARN. I have rather limited RE experience but - all in all - I would call the venture a small success.

I'm all about connecting, being humble enough to learn from others, and taking the long slow road to financial security.

Cheers!

Brian

Hi Juan! I'm new on Bigger Pockets and live in Mauldin, SC. 

It sounds like you have some major success going. Keep it up!

My RE experience is somewhat limited (bought, managed, and then sold 1 rental property), but I definitely learned a few lessons (some painful, some expensive).

My goals on Bigger Pockets are to meet some likeminded folks who I can both help and learn from.

Brian (in Mauldin)