All Forum Posts by: Christa P.

My sister is a first time home buyer. We are looking at buying a duplex together. She would live in one side and we would rent the other. I am co-signing the loan and probably putting up the down payment. She will get the loan so she can get bett terms than I can as an investor. How should we structure our deal so we are both protected and get a fair shake?  Not that we don't trust each other, just better to have it all set up from the get go. No surprises on the back end. Thoughts?

I spoke with the tenant today.  They agreed to background checks.  Good info on having those details for evictions.  Hoping that won't happen, but now I will have it.  Looks like this sale is going to go through!

So, I am attempting to buy my first property.  The current one that I have an offer on is already rented.  The current landlord has had it rented to this guy for over two years.  He did NOT do a background check or credit check.  So, he can't provide this info to me.  The landlord says he has always paid on time and been no issue at all.  (Of course, this guy is also trying to unload the property!)  I am planning to reach out to the tenant today to speak about the checks and do some pre-screening.  This is a contingency in my contract - that I approve the current renter.  What advice do you have for me?  What do I want to make sure I do or ask?  Thank you!

My first rental is now under contract. We are planning to close in a month. I am reading all the books and trying to make sure I am covering all my bases. What do newbies overlook at this point?  What might I not be thinking about! Thanks!

I have an LLC. I have made on offer on my first property. And I secured financing. But I am just realizing I can't finance under my name but title house under LLC. I don't want to pay higher interest with business loan. But don't want personal liability on rental. Help!

These cash on cash numbers all look good, in my opinion...  So, investing the higher dollar amount, the $50K, is what made them look lower.  So, I guess I am feeling better about everything.  I am working with a great mentor who will be able to help me assess if the rents that I assumed make sense.  I REALLY appreciate all the great insight!  I will let you know how it goes.  Hope to write offers next week!

Here are three properties that I am looking at.  These assume that I don't put more than 20% down.  All are similar in age, size, location, etc.  So, choosing between the three is not really pertinent.  It is more does this type of investment make sense.  All single family homes.  Thanks all!!!

ok, next question... Pay closing costs or roll them into the loan...  Pluses and minuses of each?  When buying a primary home, I am all about not paying interest n them over time. But on an investment, is it better to keep your cash flow?

thank you for all the great feedback. So another question, do you recommend at least 20% down or not?  If not, why not?

being new to real estate investing my husband (the non-entrepreneur conservative one) thinks you start with one property. But I agree, I think I need to split the money and get more income. The goal is to have many properties anyway, so why not do that right away. I will run my analyses a couple more ways and see what makes sense. Thanks for the input!

(The Omaha airport isn't great, but it makes it quite easy to get anywhere in the country. And I love to travel, so that is good!!)