All Forum Posts by: Christopher Noto

Hi @David Stafford,

Precisely, I am trying to obtain a zoning use variance for a SFR in a zone that does not permit multis. The actual zones for multis near me are very small, leaving me with less than ideal options. Over the past several decades the towns near me have actively reduced the multi family zones in order to bolster SFR presence.

Hey everyone,

I wanted to discuss any experiences you guys may have with obtaining use variances. I know they can be difficult, so are there any tips or tricks to increase the odds at all? Zoning is the root of basically all of my multi-family problems so if I could figure this out it would do wonders.

@Mark Matthews Thank you so much for your input! I like that term "transition town." Sound right up my alley. Happy to hear first hand that the town seems relatively safe too. Another thing that I really love about Bellmawr is that if I choose to invest in duplexes there are options in the town, which is great because there's absolutely no duplexes near me. At least not in my price range.

Question though, what do you mean by an "extra sewage bill"?

@Benjamin Ellis

I'm looking to move into an SFR that at most only has cosmetic issues. Looking to avoid very old roofs, HVAC systems, and boilers. Move-in ready would be great but I'm more bent on a lower price.

Looking to live in it for 5-10 years and then rent out. 

Hey @Benjamin Ellis

I like Bellmawr because the homes are very cheap compared to Toms River where I live, or all of Ocean County for that matter (keep in mind I'm working with a budget up to 100k maximum for an SFR). I also like Bellmawr because it's very close to both Philadelphia and Mt. Laurel, so the location is great for me too.

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for people who are very familiar with Bellmawr, NJ who can give me insight. I've never been there but I'm somewhat interested in the town.

To be clear on my goal, what I'm looking to do is buy an SFR and then in time move out and rent it out. Any feedback would really be appreciated!

Thank you for your insight George and Marc.

As most of you probably know Condos are far from ideal as rental units because HOAs typically have far too much control and are way too expensive.

The opposite of a condo is the HOA free SFR, where you're much more free to do as you please.

But where do townhomes fit between the two? Townhomes have HOAs too, like condos, albeit a much lesser monthly due. My question however is is it common for the townhome HOAs to have limitations similar to condo HOAs? I'm specifically talking about anti-landlording rules such as owner occupant to tenant ratio rules or rules preventing you from renting your unit out until X amount of time passes. 

I'm currently working with a budget of at most 100k. I plan on living in a 2 unit multi-family so I'm not trying to put myself in harms way. I'm open to both New Jersey and Pennsylvania suburbs. Any suggesttions would be greatly appreciated!

Justin, Judy, Todd, Mark, Michael and Jason I thank you all for your warm welcomes and advice. Hopefully you all find this post, I am at work (shhh) and they only have an archaic browser which barely functions properly, so I can't @ link your names.

I appreciate all of your respective inputs on my situation and how it relates to you all.

Judy, I have changed my approach and will be opting for a lower down payment method (3.5% FHA). In the future I will likely do larger down payment methdods, but that will be out of sheer necessity as I won't be able to reuse FHA for non-owner occupied investment properties.

Todd, welcome to you as well! So funny how you're from Hamilton when I just visited your town this past weekend for the first time ever. I actually ended up getting snowed in there! Regardless I enjoyed scoping out the area and found it was much more urban than I expected. I particularly loved the colonial homes there, they're gorgeous.

Mark, yes there are definitely more investors and aspiring investors than I thought in the Monmouth and Ocean county areas. And I agree, rentals seem to be the theme for investors in our area.

Michael, thank you for your warm welcome. That is somewhat odd, I have run into other Notos before but they are few and far between. Nice to meet another one though!

Jason, yes Freehold has come a long way. It seems to be an ever growing town. I move here in 2000 and I've seen consistent growth and development all over here. Also thank you for your advice.