All Forum Posts by: Corey Lawson

@Mark Struckhoff thanks for the MLS info. I should have been a bit more specific as I was looking at homes under $125k that wouldn't require a lot of work. Just intrigued by the amount of people I know whom want to rent 2/1 or 3/1 in Kirkwood and the lack of inventory.

@Ryan Dossey great point about the universities. Didn't even think about that. 

I've been casually tracking single family homes for sale and/or rent in Kirkwood and Webster Groves. Seems, in general, there's a fair amount more in Webster. I've often thought of these two areas as comparable. Am I missing something?

I live in Kirkwood. @Max Householder is right. Very desirable area and not a ton of inventory. 

@Gunnar Teltow have the recent events in Ferguson had any impact on your current properties and/or tenants? Do you think it will have any long-term impact on your strategy in the North County area?

@Matt Faircloth good points too. Thanks for sharing. I'm still on the fence personally...and specifically in the South St. Louis City area. I've got very little experience in the South St. Louis City, but my initial impressions are...two bedroom units attract more young families with kids that are looking for temporary housing until they purchase a home or young professionas that have a roommate that are living in the city before moving out to the suburbs. In both cases you're getting a renter that doesn't really care about the place all that much and will likely only be there 1-2 years. The one bedroom units seem to attract more middle aged blue collar folks that really are looking for a place call home. That said, if you can have higher rents relative to the cost of the property it's hard to argue with going the two bed route. 

Just my 2-cents from an inexperienced investor. Anyone else from St. Louis have thoughts?

taking care of yourself and family should be priority #1 so I say go with the place you want to live in. If it has some cash flow and appreciates it's a bonus. 

Makes perfect sense. Our discussion was really just on rent vs turnover, but obviously there's a lot more things at play.

We both agreed that rents could be higher with two bedrooms, but the gentleman I was discussing with was pretty convinced one bedrooms (at least in the St. Louis) are more stable. Bear in mind he invests in south city, blue collar neighborhoods. 

Good stuff. Thanks for the information, Joel!

Had an interesting debate recently on what's better. Multi-family properties with 2 bedroom units or one. 

I'm in St. Louis, MO, but how thoughts in your market?

@Bob Hines mind to explain a bit more in regards, "You have special insight that the local rubes just don't have."

I'm a St. Louis guy trying to figure out which niche I'd like to concentrate on and any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

I just listened to an earlier podcast with J Scott and ended on his site, 123flip.com. Awesome stuff. Does anyone have recommendations for the single family and multi family version of that blog.  Just just really enjoyed the numbers, transparency, etc. of the site....now looking for the same type of blog related to SFRs and/or MFRs. 

Thanks in advance for the help.

Although I've only been seriously considering real estate for a couple months I see myself going down the path of being to overwhelmed to do anything too. I've committed to getting involved in BP, reading the beginners guide and then picking one good book. I'm hoping that will help narrow my focus to start and then to expand from there. Good luck and know your def not the only one struggling with the first step.