All Forum Posts by: Craig Dieterich

For the rental estimation calculator, add an option to select if the property is a single family home vs a multifamily. Rents will be different.

I notice the rental estimating calculator here on BP doesn't have a way to differentiate whether you are renting out a duplex vs a single family home. For example, if a 3/2 single family home would rent for $1200/mo, what would that same size 3/2 rent for if it was part of a duplex or triplex? Seems like it would be cheaper, right?

@Nathan Smith 10 years will fly by like you wouldnt believe and you'll still be young. I wish I had went military after college to go in as an officer. You can do both. Use your earnings as an officer AND invest it.

Thanks David. Good advice! The reason I'm looking out of state is because I live in CA and I don't see "great" opportunities for investment rentals here. Housing prices are too high for rental income to cover the costs, let alone cash flow. I have about $50k to put down and am looking at the $100-200k price range for a rental property, preferably a multiplex

I look on my own and do the math to see if it makes sense. But if I want to pull the trigger, do I just contact the sellers agent, or what? I feel like I should have someone in my corner who knows the area, can look at the property, etc. That was what my initial question was. However, looking at multiple locations would require building multiple realtor relationships in each of the areas. And how do I find good agents for my needs in areas I don't know very well? I don't mean to sound ignorant. I'm just starting out. 

@dave m. I figured once I found the deal that makes sense, I'd have a property management company in the area handle it. Is this wishful thinking? 

find an agent for an entire state? Wouldn't I want the agent to be able to go look at the property for me? What methods do you use to find a "great" agent out of state? Thanks

New at this, looking to purchase my first investment rental. Normally when purchasing a home to live in, I'd have a specific area in mind which would make finding an RE agent easy. But what do you all do when you're not looking in a specific place? I have my eyes on several cities and states. Do I just contact the sellers agent and deal directly with them? Don't I eventually need an agent to represent me in the purchase?

New at this, looking to purchase my first investment rental. Normally when purchasing a home to live in, I'd have a specific area in mind which would make finding an RE agent easy. But what do you all do when you're not looking in a specific place? I have my eyes on sever cities and states. Do I just contact the sellers agent and deal directly with them? Don't I eventually need an agent to represent me in the purchase?