All Forum Posts by: Brian Phillips

Prices are different in each market, but I agree that the roof price seems high. I did a roof 18 months ago in Houston, about 1100 sf and the tear off and replacement cost $7250. When I first started investing, I paid close attention to the cost my GC was charging per unit. $X for each door, $X for a sf of flooring, $X for a new HVAC system. After a couple of properties, I was able to have a pretty accurate idea of what a rehab would cost. And I always allow at least 10% for contingencies.

Bezos and other billionaires have attained their wealth by creating values on a massive scale. They have earned their immense wealth by making the lives of millions much better. At least in the realm of production, such individuals are the epitome of morality. Owning multiple houses doesn't deprive anyone of a home, just as owning multiple computers doesn't prevent others from buying a computer. Those who produce values--including real estate investors should not be regarded as objects of disgust. Instead, they should be recognized as the heroes they are.

More than 2,000 years ago, Aristotle said that in a democracy, the poor have more power than the rich because there are more poor and the majority rules in a democracy. His point remains true. In a democracy, tenants have more power than landlords because there are more tenants than landlords, and in a democracy the majority rules. America's founders understood this point, and that is why they established a constitutional republic to prevent the passions of the majority from violating the rights of the minority. Unfortunately, that lesson has been forgotten over the past 100+ years.

The government is just kicking the can down the road. When the moratorium is eventually lifted, there will be a deluge of eviction filings. Tenants and their advocates will howl and demand that government do something. And government probably will do something that makes the problem worse for landlords because there are a lot more tenants than landlords.

A similar bill was introduced last year. With the socialists controlling both houses and the White House, it might have a chance of passing. Regardless, the insanity is just beginning.

I agree Mark. I don't think that the bills will pass this session, but in time they might. One of the bills would reverse the 2015 law that Abbott signed.

Ethan G. I am not sure what you mean by that. These bills are putting landlord's backs against the wall. I won't put my back against a wall willingly. If we don't fight to protect our rights, who will?

Housing advocates are promoting two bills introduced in the Texas Legislature that would give tenants more choices and reduce choices for landlords. The bills would prohibit landlords from using source of income as a consideration when renting a property. The purpose of the bills is to force landlords to accept housing vouchers. Advocates defend the bills, saying

that every person has the right to choose where they call home. Today, people with vouchers do not have that freedom because many landlords choose not to accept voucher holders as tenants.

In other words, tenants should have the freedom to choose where they use their vouchers, but landlords should not have the freedom to choose whether to accept them or not.

The right to choose is not a license to force others to satisfy one’s desires. But this is what housing advocates seek. They want voucher holders to be free to choose, but landlords should not be free to choose.

The right to choose means the freedom to act on one’s choices. When our choices require action by other individuals, those other individuals should have a choice to participate or abstain. Housing advocates don’t seek the voluntary consent of landlords. They want to force landlords to act as they—the housing advocates—think proper.

A movement that claims certain rights for its members while denying those same rights to others is intellectually dishonest. Such a movement is not interested in rights or what is right. It simply seeks the power to impose its views on others.

Housing advocates claim that they seek “housing justice.” But there is no justice in forcing your views upon others. There is no justice in compelling others to act contrary to their own judgment because you think that their judgment is wrong. There is no justice in imposing undeserved penalties on landlords or granting unearned benefits to tenants.

A movement that seeks “justice” for its members while denying justice to others is a fraud. Such a movement is not interested in justice. It simply hides behind fictitious claims of injustice while seeking the power to impose its views on others.

I am an investor and a writer. I am using my writing skills to fight the attacks on landlords and other real estate investors. I applaud those who are fighting the legal battles, but I believe that that isn't enough. We have to defend ourselves on moral grounds--what we do is good. 

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