All Forum Posts by: Bob C.

Watchin'  This is a big holiday party for my family and friends.

(well.. working too since I'm here) :-)

Go Pats!

Sooo... I've started doing mailings and the phone is ringing. I've got some (somewhat) motivated sellers. What I'm finding is that when I ask them what they think their house is worth or what they are looking to get - their answer has always been a number that equates to a low retail number. (ex: $220 for a $250 ARV house needing 40k in repairs)

I've mailed about 2100 pieces so far. From that, I've had about 5 of these "hot" leads.   Have I not talked to a truly motivated seller yet (someone who's looking to sell that house for $135k) OR am I doing something wrong with these leads?

Should I be working on these "low retail" people to show them what their house is really worth - less than they think OR do I just need to move on and know that a true motivated seller will call/respond soon?

The thought of moving on feels like I'm throwing away an opportunity.  

Thoughts?

 :-p

Sounds like a nuisance suit. Hoping to irritate you enough that you will settle out of court for a few thousand dollars to make her go away. She's thinking that its cheaper for you to do that the fight it all the way through. 

This kinda stuff makes me cRRRAAAAzy. Good luck!

On one end of the street spectrum there is the cul-de-sac in a closed development, and on the other end of the spectrum there is a superhighway running through the front yard. 

Somewhere in between those two points we go from quiet, to busy.  Where is that demarcation?  

For streets in the middle of that spectrum,  what defines "a busy street"?

Welcome from a fellow Babsonian!  ...not sayin' what year ;-)  

Welcome @Carl C. .

Where are you looking for your next house?

I start with the high-cost, items that have the most potential to go wrong.  That way, if something blows up, I've got room to adjust the budget.

Also, I start with things that take longer - landscaping typically takes the longest to get done.  Especially if I need to do a new lawn (we don't do those instant lawn carpets around here). Roof cleaning takes a while too... about a month after being washed to be fully effective. Pumping out the septic tank (gotta give time for the grass that was dug up to re-grow). Another good reason to do outside first/early is that you can take pictures and get preview listing going sooner.

One little trick I've found to work well near the end...

1) Sand and first two coats of polly on hardwood

2) Paint walls/ceiling 

3) Last sanding and polly on hardwood 

2, 1, 3 - The painters are happy because they can slop paint all over the floor, BUT I'm unhappy because then ALL the surfaces have to be wiped down from the dust - and it's never perfect. 

1, 3, 2 - No dust to clean but Painters have to be perfectly careful and not drip OR scrape with their ladders.  =Cost more and they are grumpy

1, 2, 3 is a bit more coordination, the painters sill have to be a little careful - but don't charge me extra. There is A LOT LESS dust and what there is, is not as obvious because it's clear/milky. There's a lot less cleaning labor and everything in the end looks crisp. 

Reading that other thread, #2 and 3 are clarified.  But my primary question is unanswered... so I'll ask it here....

If there is ANY flood zone on the property, even if the house is not in it (like the property highlighted), will the mortgage companies require insurance?

Okay.. I'm guilty for not searching before posting.  <embarrassed>

Looks like my answers might be here:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/95/topics/163316-whats-the-scoop-on-flood-plains