All Forum Posts by: Colin Higgins

first, understand that at least 95% of RE agents have no clue about working with investors and investment properties.

Just ask them to explain to you what the difference is between ROI and Cash-On-Cash returns.

Start networking with other investors in your area and ask them for referrals. 

Just be careful about your expectations. Every newbie investor expects an agent to make them their #1 client and do a bunch of work for free. The investor agents you want to work with, won't put up with this. They expect you to have done your own learning, so if they bring you a deal, you won't ask them a hundred questions about it because you don't know how to properly analyze it yourself.

Investment Info:

Single-family residence buy & hold investment.

Purchase price: $185,000

Currently my primary residence, 4bed 1bath in Sanford that I purchased with 0% down as a Veteran through the VA Loan.

Looking to rent out the property for cash flow (After some small updates / maintenance) and continue to build equity and loan paydown while I house-hack into a 4-plex in the Volusia County area. Anticipated rental income (1800-1900). I will purchase this 4-plex through an FHA Loan with 3.5% Down Payment and live there for at least 1 year until I can afford my next multi-family!

What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?

Not paying increasingly high rents in Orlando in 2020-2021

How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

Worked through my awesome realtor, Michelle Richardson and purchased off MLS.

How did you finance this deal?

VA Loan Financing 0% as a Military Veteran

How did you add value to the deal?

Negotiating the seller down on sale price from $200,000 - $185,000 to build some instant equity in the property.

What was the outcome?

I am currently living in the property by myself and plan to rent the house after some essential repairs. I have built around $80,000 in equity due to appreciation and plan to hire a company to manage the property and start to cashflow instantly.

Lessons learned? Challenges?

Lack of gutters on the home and insufficient foundation support led to a new support beam needed underneath the house which will cost $15,000. This was after the foundation was given the OK by 2 separate inspectors and occurred due to lack of support under the house, soft soil in Florida, and lack of gutters to disperse rain water from the foundation.

PLEASE do your due diligence when inspecting foundations on your future homes, especially in wet climates. Also, BUY GUTTERS!

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Yes, I worked with my awesome agent, Michelle Richardson with Keller Williams, who helped me find a Broker that made the deal happen @ 2.25% Interest Rate!