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All Forum Posts by: Devin Dang

Devin Dang has started 13 posts and replied 78 times.

Post: Buying my first property

Devin DangPosted
  • Realtor
  • Austin, TX
  • Posts 82
  • Votes 75

@Alec Josepher House hacking is such a game changer and has changed my life! Great way to dip your toes into real estate investing and have known lots of people who have built their portfolio around this strategy. Benefits: low % down, high leverage so better returns, reduce/eliminate your housing cost, and experience being a landlord. 

Post: Rental by room in austin

Devin DangPosted
  • Realtor
  • Austin, TX
  • Posts 82
  • Votes 75
Quote from @Geeta Sharma:
Quote from @Devin Dang:

Hi @Geeta Sharma! I am currently house hacking my single family home and cash flow positive. I live in one room in rent the other three. Co-living/rent-by-the-room strategy is growing and a great way to increase cash-flow with it being extremely difficult to make long term traditional rents work in the Austin market.

I only list on flexible housing/lease facebook groups and have lots of success.

What parts of the process are you most curious about?

Hi Devin,

I am experienced landlord with renting properties on long term basis but with house prices increasing everyday it’s very hard to even get enough rent to cover your mortgage. I found rent by room concept very appealing but not sure how to target the population only interested in renting by room. 

+1 to everything Ryan said! The biggest difference is the extra time on the initial set-up and systems to avoid conflict between roommates. For example, having a house chore chart that is built into the lease so it minimizes tension for dirty dishes, cleaning, ect. especially with 4-6+ separate leases under one house.

To answer your question about targeting this group, I'd say put yourself in the shoes of a 20-mid 30 year old younger millennial professional. Being within reasonable distance to a city, restaurants, HEBs as opposed to walmart, domain, gyms, ect. is generally a safer bet. They are likely looking for rent-by-the-room for the community so being intentional about creating and promoting an inclusive and productive environment. Bungalow has each new potential tenant go to happy hour with the current house mates and takes input from them in the application process, giving them a sense of ownership = happy tenant.

You'll be responsible for furnishing the common areas, so dont forget millennials love their instagrammable decor!

Post: Rental by room in austin

Devin DangPosted
  • Realtor
  • Austin, TX
  • Posts 82
  • Votes 75

Hi @Geeta Sharma! I am currently house hacking my single family home and cash flow positive. I live in one room in rent the other three. Co-living/rent-by-the-room strategy is growing and a great way to increase cash-flow with it being extremely difficult to make long term traditional rents work in the Austin market.

I only list on flexible housing/lease facebook groups and have lots of success.

What parts of the process are you most curious about?

Post: Local House Hacker/Investor looking to network!

Devin DangPosted
  • Realtor
  • Austin, TX
  • Posts 82
  • Votes 75

Thanks everyone!!! I didn't expect more than 1 or 2 responses, really excited to meet everyone. I went ahead and messaged everyone interested to connect 1:1 sometime next week but will definitely plan a larger group meetup soon for everyone as well.

Post: Local House Hacker/Investor looking to network!

Devin DangPosted
  • Realtor
  • Austin, TX
  • Posts 82
  • Votes 75
Quote from @Josh McAuliffe:

@Devin Dang there are also a few really good REI Meetups in Austin, some of them run by BP members. @Jordan Moorhead is frequently hosting events through his Austin REI meetup. Here is a link to his group. 


Good looking out Joshua! Small world, I actually joined Jordan's team and can confirm, great meetups here in Austin. Will have to set up one soon with everyone here on this thread soon (:

Post: Local House Hacker/Investor looking to network!

Devin DangPosted
  • Realtor
  • Austin, TX
  • Posts 82
  • Votes 75
Quote from @Jason Grote:

Hey there Devin, would be happy to connect. I'm in the south Austin area. How about you? 


 Let’s do it! I’m in in Northeast but will take up any chance to go down south since I’m not down there too often. I’ll PM you. 

Post: Local House Hacker/Investor looking to network!

Devin DangPosted
  • Realtor
  • Austin, TX
  • Posts 82
  • Votes 75

Hey local Austin BP Investors!

I made it a goal this year to get out of my comfort zone and connect with as many awesome other like-minded and motivated investors. I bought my first property at the beginning of 2021 (right before the crazy appreciation) and plan to use use a HELOC on it to buy two more properties this year!

Open to meeting anyone interested in investing all the way from aspiring investors to experienced veterans in the market. I'm especially interested in learning other strategies outside of house hacking such as flipping, development, and syndications.

Look forward to meeting you!

Post: Building Detached Austin ADU - SFH

Devin DangPosted
  • Realtor
  • Austin, TX
  • Posts 82
  • Votes 75
Quote from @Chloe Kwon:

Hi, I'm a residential builder in East Austin as well as currently going through ADU permit process for my tiny house that'll be on the backyard of my primary so I can answer some of these.

1. Other than lot sizes > 5750sqft and at least SF-3, watch out for set back (distance between your ADU and main house needs to be at least 10 feet as well as from the sides), tree requirements (if there are trees that are 19" diameter 4.5 ft from ground as well as if it's a heritage tree, you cannot take them down and even trimming can be pain as city of austin arborists might flag you and they are expensive)

2. My properties are all located within 1/4 miles from a transit stop, in which case you don't need to provide additional parking space. To see if your property would require in your neighborhood: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/we...

3. There are ADU companies that have existing relationships with mortgage companies. Good news is that compared to few years ago, ADU/tiny houses are now way easier to get financing, making it a great time to invest in ADU especially if you're going to turn it into a STR (with only type II permit as an owner occupied). If they don't know, I've used 21st century mortgage which services tiny home/ADU.

4. ADU can be either 1100 sqft or 15% of the lot size, whichever is smaller. Also both house and ADU combined cannot be over 40% FAR ratio (so if you're looking from aerial view, both structures combined cannot be over 40% of the entire lot size). Also, if your property is in a flood zone or historical site, permit can experience delay, as well as make sure to check deed restrictions and HOA regulations. Sometimes it's not so easy to find out restrictions on ADUs.

Also getting insurance quote can be trickier with ADU especially if you're going to run as a STR. For ADU permit applications, you'll need architectural plans, elevations, as well as Texas certified structural engineer's seal of approval. Hope these help.

Hi Chloe! Thanks for the detailed response, this is SUPER helpful and much appreciated. 

Sending you a PM for a few quick follow up questions.

Post: Building Detached Austin ADU - SFH

Devin DangPosted
  • Realtor
  • Austin, TX
  • Posts 82
  • Votes 75

Hey BP Fam,

Has anyone been through the process of building out a detached ADU backyard of a single-family home in Austin? Know someone looking to purchase a home with the intention build one to turn into a rental while they occupy the main house, luxury house-hacking!

I read through the criteria on austintexas.gov site - https://www.austintexas.gov/pa... but would love to hear from someone that has done it/very familiar with the process:

1. What are the requirements one should look for to evaluate if a detached ADU is possible besides lot size and SF3 zoning requirement?

2. What are most common ways you provide the additional parking space since the driveway requirement is now removed? Is extra space on the street fine

3. Do ADU companies allow you to finance it out or typically all up-front?

4. Any other common problems/issues people usually run into that they wish they knew?

Thanks in advance!

Post: Single Family House Hack in Austin!

Devin DangPosted
  • Realtor
  • Austin, TX
  • Posts 82
  • Votes 75

@Jordan Moorhead Thanks Jordan! Definitely a scary situation but happy with the turn out, appreciate your help and expertise on this one.