All Forum Posts by: Daniel Judge

Welcome! Appreciate the work you do with the awesome library service we've got here in Columbus! Also, appreciate the good taste - Decemberists are solid. 

Try Zen Windows, they were great to work with. I was able to get 27 windows at a cost of $483 per (that included a 5% discount due to being an Angie's List member). 

That's a great deal you got. No right or wrong answer. I have a similar goal of keeping as many properties as I can to replace my current pay. I faced a similar crossroads with my first property, which I was BRRRRing. I decided to hold on. Getting access to all that capital can be very appealing, but I've instead decided to put a HELOC on the property, which is kinda a middle path. Might be a good option for you as well (keep the deal, but access that equity).

PM's sent!

I'll PM you with the guy I use. He is a REI focused CPA with reasonable fees.

@Xavier Randall, I'll be honest in stating that I'm probably not the best person to answer that question. I have only ever taken a cursory look at the Cinci/N Kentucky area and listened to others share their experiences. It seems like there's lot's to like about it in terms of diversified employers, affordable inventory, etc. My overall impression is that Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus exist on a spectrum between cash flow and appreciation and in that order (Cleveland being on one extreme that offers the best cash flow, Columbus being on the other extreme that offers the best opportunity for appreciation, and Cincinnati being somewhere in between). All three markets have their appeal. But someone else on here would be much more qualified giving you a true market comparison and be able to answer your question about metrics that would speak to stability. 

@TJ Addison I would also be interested in hearing more about your BRRRR deal. Numbers, anything you'd be willing to share.

Hey @TJ Addison, thanks for responding! We were probably together on campus for a few years - I graduated in '02. Probably know some people in common and could catch up on that as well.

Sounds like you're doing fantastic in the real estate game. I'm sitting at two doors right now and hoping to get up to around 10 to help supplement an earlier retirement. 

What areas of town have you had the most success in and where are you trying your first BRRRR (best of luck with that project!) Have you found your contractor and, if so, how difficult was it to find a good one in Lincoln? A good contractor is one of the the most difficult pieces of the puzzle here. Would also be interested in hearing about how you have sourced your deals and if there are any virtual meet ups or groups that you might recommend. Thanks!

Hello! I'm originally from Lincoln and lived there until I graduated from college at Nebraska Wesleyan. I have since been living/working out of state for the last 18 years, but am interested in possibly doing some investing back home where I still have some family local. 

First, I'm wondering if people are having much success BRRRRing in or around Lincoln? And, if so, what neighborhoods have you been targeting? I've been gone long enough that the landscape has changed quite a bit. I'd be looking primarily for small multifamilies in solid A/B neighborhoods or improving neighborhoods where the inventory and margins are in place. 

Since I'd also be doing this from afar, would be interested in hearing recommendations for investor friendly realtors, contractors, and property management to see whether it would be feasible/advisable. Thanks in advance and looking forward to connecting with investors that have found success in my old hometown!

@Tammy Tebben I think a lot of the advice above jives pretty well with what you shared about your objectives. I'm guessing you could get some pretty good cash flow going down in Lancaster with your budget, maybe a couple properties with 25% down and keeping adequate reserves. Columbus is a great place to invest, but it's very competitive and cash flow is probably going to be harder to come by. Remington (above) is a highly recommended contact if you end up investing here. 

There's a lot of be said, though, for investing in the area where you have the best competitive advantage and it sounds like that's probably Lancaster (less competition, more familiarity, more ability to have "eyes on" the property, probably more connections, etc.). I also have to agree with @Mikael Winkler with regards to how much you can learn when you're in the thick of it, so starting off with a local property can help immeasurably with building knowledge and confidence. Plus, I expect Columbus to continue appreciating above the national average but I would also expect nearby towns like Lancaster, Delaware, Marysville to benefit from that trend. 

Unfortunately, I know nothing of the Raleigh market other than hearsay (which has all been positive about its prospects). People do succeed in investing out of state, but I imagine it takes a lot of work on the front end building your team and establishing necessary trust. Probably easier said than done. On the other hand, if you need a kick in the butt and something to push you to retire in the location of your dreams, maybe purchasing a property out that way might help to motivate you. Otherwise, I believe starting local and seeing where that takes you probably makes the most sense. When you do eventually move to NC, you'll still have your portfolio of income properties and have learned everything you need to know to make them still work for you from afar.