All Forum Posts by: Mohammed Rahman

House hacking in Brooklyn won’t save you much monthly, but it’s still a solid long-term play. You’ll lock in a low rate, build equity, get tax breaks, and maybe see the property go up in value. Even if you lose a bit each month after moving out, it can still help you build wealth. Just make sure you’re cool with the monthly costs and have a plan for when you move out.

Yeah, Long Island's got strict zoning, but you've got options for an ADU. Some towns, like Huntington, Islip, and Brookhaven, have programs that allow accessory apartments, though rules vary. Islip and Brookhaven even offer grants (up to $125K) to help homeowners build or legalize ADUs.

For approval, you’ll need to submit plans, get permits, and maybe go through a public hearing. If your project doesn’t fit zoning laws, you might need a variance, which takes more time.

The Plus-One ADU Program can help with funding, but it has income limits and requires compliance for about 10 years. Groups like the Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP) and CDCLI can help with the process.

If you're serious, talk to a local architect or contractor who knows ADU laws in your town. Also, check with the local building department before buying a place to make sure ADUs are allowed.

you’ve got a solid opportunity here, and the key is structuring it the right way so everyone wins. Since the property is free and clear with that kind of equity, the financing part is totally doable, just a matter of how you piece it together.

One way is having the grandmother pull a HELOC or a cash-out refi to fund the renovations. That could be tricky because of her age, but it's not impossible if she's on board. If that's not an option, you could go the hard money or private lending route. With that much equity, plenty of lenders would be willing to structure something, especially if your W2-income partner steps in to strengthen the deal. Private investors could also be an option—they might fund the rehab in exchange for a cut of the profits.

For structuring the partnership, setting up two entities could work—one for you as the investor/contractor and one for the family to hold the property. Then you do a joint venture agreement that lays out who’s putting in what and how the profits get split. That lender telling you you’d need to be blood relatives is annoying, but there are ways around it. Something like a tenants-in-common structure, where they deed a small percentage of ownership to you or your partner, could make it work.

If the family doesn't want to take on any debt, you could structure it where they contribute the property as their stake while you and your partner bring in the money for the rehab. When it's done, you either flip it and split the profits, or do a cash-out refinance so they can pull their equity while you take your share. If you're thinking long-term, a BRRRR strategy could be a way to keep a piece of the deal and still get your investment back.

At the end of the day, you need a real estate attorney and a lender who can think outside the box. If one lender shut you down, don’t stop there. With that much equity on the table, you’ve definitely got options to make this work.

Anytime @Oscar Barbecho - I sent you a direct message as well, but feel free to also simply lookup my company CLOSED BY MO in Google to get my direct cell info. 

Hey @Oscar Barbecho - my name is Mo, I'm a real estate broker, advisor, investor, and everything in between. 

Believe it or not, you're in a good position right now to roll over your appreciation into a larger/stable investment property. My first bit of advice would be to actually speak with a real estate focused accountant/CPA to really nail down exactly how this sale will impact your tax liability moving forward. 

I'll reach out to you directly as well, I'm originally from Queens. 

@Puja Devi - sure just DM me or look me up online ClosedByMo

Good question—here's the simplest way to see it:

If you bought a property with all cash, renovated, and rented it out, refinancing lets you turn the value you created into cash again. The bank gives you a new mortgage loan based on the higher appraised value of the property after renovations. Since you already own it outright, the cash from this new loan goes straight into your pocket.

For example, if you bought it for $150k, fixed it up, and now it's worth $250k, you might refinance and pull out around $187,500 (75% of $250k). Now you've got your cash back (and then some), and you can use that money to jump right into another deal.

That's the power of refinancing with BRRRR—it frees your money so you can keep investing without constantly needing new capital.

Hey, that sounds rough—sorry you're dealing with this. NYC can be tricky, especially with Section 8 tenants, but you're definitely within your rights to not renew the lease.

First step I'd recommend is documenting everything clearly: noise complaints, police reports, unauthorized guests, etc. The more paperwork you have, the stronger your position.

In NYC, when a lease ends and you decide not to renew, especially with Section 8, you need to send them the 90-day non-renewal notice. That’s the standard practice. Once you properly issue that, if the tenant doesn’t leave after the lease ends, you have grounds for eviction proceedings. Make sure the notice is delivered correctly (certified mail, documented delivery, etc.).

Also, unauthorized occupants and repeated disturbances are valid grounds for eviction even before the lease ends—but you'd need strong evidence and it could get drawn out in housing court, especially in NYC.

Your best, simplest move is sending that 90-day notice as soon as you're allowed and being fully prepared to file eviction immediately if the tenant doesn’t move out after the lease ends. I'd even recommend chatting briefly with a local housing attorney beforehand to make sure you’re covering all bases.

Good luck—hoping you get your property back smoothly!

Hey! Congrats on finishing Brandon's book—that's one of the best starting points out there.

So, when it comes to seller financing, especially through family members who own properties free and clear, you’re actually in an ideal spot. Since your family member owns the condo outright, you wouldn't have to worry about the "due-on-sale" clause at all, because there’s no bank involved. That clause typically gets triggered if there’s an existing mortgage and the title changes hands without paying off the loan first. No mortgage = no clause.

In terms of what kind of deal you’d need to make it worth it:
You'd want something where your monthly payments to your family member (the seller) still leave room for cash flow if you rent it out, or at least align with your investment goals—like appreciation, tax benefits, or equity buildup. The beauty of seller financing is the flexibility—you can structure low interest rates, longer terms, or even delayed payments. It’s all negotiable, especially since it’s family.

Just keep everything clear and formal—put the agreement in writing. And don’t underestimate the power of having an attorney or title company help you draft the note and mortgage to avoid future headaches.

Overall, you're sitting on a golden opportunity here. Take advantage of it!

Honestly, from what you've described, it sounds like the best move is to have him leave sooner rather than later. You've already been patient, and clearly, it's not working out—financially or in terms of living conditions. In New York, tenants can get comfortable fast, and you really don't want this turning into a squatter situation. I'd go with the cash-for-keys route, offering him money to leave quickly and quietly. It's a clean break, avoids eviction headaches, and saves you from further stress and potential issues. Protect yourself first—he needs more support than you can realistically provide.