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All Forum Posts by: Dan Kim

Dan Kim has started 18 posts and replied 49 times.

Post: Flips for a beginner

Dan KimPosted
  • Posts 50
  • Votes 11

@Michael Dumler That is really good to know. That lender did say that the Fannie Mae Homestyle loan, which is the conventional equivalent, does not require residence. I'd probably do the hard money/private lending route as I do own primary residence.

I reside in EC and inventory is low. Nicer homes still sell fast but not as many offers, according to a local agent. Families still demand housing for the schools, but I've heard those that can't afford are increasing their search radius, moving to cities like Catonsville or Sykesville.

Post: Flips for a beginner

Dan KimPosted
  • Posts 50
  • Votes 11

Thanks Cole. The information you provided was very helpful. I'm believing that hard/private lending is the best way to go here. 

Are you a private money lender and work with clients in MD?

Post: Flips for a beginner

Dan KimPosted
  • Posts 50
  • Votes 11

Hello BP community!

My first RE project will be a fix and flip, just to start gaining capital before getting into buy and hold properties. My question to start is, do you find it best to use hard money to fund the purchase and renovations, or using renovation loans i.e. FHA 203 (k), Fannie Mae Homestyle loans?

Thank you for any advice!

Post: Options for FSBO property

Dan KimPosted
  • Posts 50
  • Votes 11

@Jaron Walling

I’ll get those numbers soon!

Post: Options for FSBO property

Dan KimPosted
  • Posts 50
  • Votes 11

Greetings BP community!

I've received an opportunity to purchase a condo from a seller who is ready to move out, but has personally offered the deal to me. I know the area well and with just a little TLC, the condo would do well as a long-term rental. Before I answer the seller, I'd like to see what my financing options are. Traditional banking wants 20-25% down on a rental property which I do not have, and the condo being out of state for me, I can't use this as a primary residence. Are there financing options (OPM) best fit for this situation? 

Thanks in advance!

Quote from @Nick Belsky:

@Dan Kim

I can speak more to the financing side of things.  To reference Stephan Covey, "begin with the end in mind".  Otherwise, plan your financing all the way through.  Many investors, new and experiences alike, do very well finding fix and flip loans to get going, but fail to plan ahead for the perm loan and run into all kinds of unexpected issues.  Brokers are a great way to help you with both!  Much like finding your ground team to get the rehab done, you need to have a finance team as well.  I always recommend speaking with several lenders/brokers and get a first, second, and third string together to bounce deals off of to see pricing options for both the FnF and perm side of things.  

Cheers!

I really appreciate this advice. It's actually one of the reasons I stall. It seems overwhelming having to talk to lenders, to build relationships, and find the ones that are willing to work with you. I didn't know there were brokers who can assist in finding what an investor needs, given each investor's unique situation. Would you recommend I reach out to mortgage brokers in the BP community? Thank you!
Quote from @Benjamin Shyong:

Hi Dan,

I was in your shoes 2 years ago. The advice i would tell you and that i wish i could have given to myself back in 2021. 

1) Your first property you will make mistakes, think of it as a learning experience and you are paying tuition. You are already in the mindset of investing in your own education, the best course or way to learn is actually doing it. 

2) Your first property you will make mistakes, target to get it just 70% right. You don't need to be perfect, just go out and do it to 70% right. That small mindset shift will un-paralyze you to take that first step

3) Once you start, you are on the journey. You will be surprised how quickly and efficiently you can work when there are real world deadlines and mortgages to pay. You will find a way.

Good luck! The journey is well worth it!

It's so cool to hear how you started your real estate journey not that long ago, but have great advice to share today. I do get paralyzed with doubt because I feel the need to get things 100% in the planning. But lately, a voice inside has been telling me to just start and learn through the process. I like the 70% approach as it is more realistic to get there, and to read your advice affirms that inner voice I've been hearing recently. Thanks and hope to see your success continue to grow!
Quote from @Arif Sheikh:
Quote from @Dan Kim:

Hello BP,

For the past 4 years, I've been listening/reading a lot about real estate, especially the BRRRR method, and want to commit to put it into practice. Every time I felt that this is the time, I would always press the pause button thinking that I have to learn more and be confident with every single step before going in. Whether it is trying to line all my ducks in a row, or being tempted to pay for courses I see on social media, I'm finding that time is flying by and I'm just spinning my wheels. From questions about how to find the right deal, to who is going to lend to me (private money lenders and refi's through banks), it can get overwhelming for a newbie.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated in terms of where I can start. Currently, I'm looking for wholesalers, private money lenders, banks, contractors, etc. to get started. Thank you!


Hi Dan,

I am on the boat as you are and I have been learning also. I completely understand where you're coming from, and it's common for aspiring real estate investors to feel overwhelmed by the initial steps. The BRRRR method is a fantastic strategy, but it can indeed seem daunting when you're just getting started. I started to take actions on the following steps and making incremental progress. 

Here are some steps to help you kickstart your real estate journey (in my opinion):

1. Education: While it's great that you've been learning about real estate, sometimes, too much information can be overwhelming. Focus on the basics first. Understand how the BRRRR method works inside out. There are excellent free resources online, and books like "The Book on Rental Property Investing" by Brandon Turner can be very helpful.

2. Local Networking: Start attending local real estate meetups, seminars, or join online forums like BiggerPockets. Networking is a powerful tool. You can find wholesalers, private money lenders, contractors, and mentors through these channels.

3. Start Small: Don't feel pressured to take on a massive project right away. Start with a single-family home or a duplex. The experience you gain will be invaluable, even if it's a small deal.

4. Financing: Understand your financing options thoroughly. Look into local banks or credit unions for traditional financing. Build relationships with private money lenders or hard money lenders. Having a clear financial strategy is essential.

5. Team Building: Building a reliable team is crucial. Find a good real estate agent who understands your investment goals. Connect with contractors who have a good track record. A strong team will help ease your worries.

6. Due Diligence: When you come across a potential deal, do your due diligence meticulously. Run the numbers, understand the local market, and ensure the property aligns with your investment goals.

7. Take Action: The most important step is to take action. Overanalyzing or waiting for the perfect moment can lead to inaction. Even if it's a small step like attending a local meetup or calling a potential lender, it gets you moving in the right direction.

8. Be Patient: Real estate investing is a long game. Don't expect instant results. It takes time to find the right deals and build a profitable portfolio.

Remember, every successful real estate investor started as a beginner. The key is to keep learning and taking action. As you gain experience, you'll become more confident in your abilities. Don't hesitate to ask more questions as you go along; the real estate community is usually very supportive. 

Best of luck with your real estate journey! 




I truly appreciate this. The steps you've listed here really help stream line the mindset for me as a beginner. Where I am now, my approach seems scatterbrained, and that usually becomes the mental wall that I can't get over - thinking what to do next, where and how to start, etc.
I will definitely refer to these steps to help me get more organized. Thanks and hope to see you progress in your journey!

Hello BP,

For the past 4 years, I've been listening/reading a lot about real estate, especially the BRRRR method, and want to commit to put it into practice. Every time I felt that this is the time, I would always press the pause button thinking that I have to learn more and be confident with every single step before going in. Whether it is trying to line all my ducks in a row, or being tempted to pay for courses I see on social media, I'm finding that time is flying by and I'm just spinning my wheels. From questions about how to find the right deal, to who is going to lend to me (private money lenders and refi's through banks), it can get overwhelming for a newbie.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated in terms of where I can start. Currently, I'm looking for wholesalers, private money lenders, banks, contractors, etc. to get started. Thank you!


@Emmanuel A Gomez

Thanks. I’ll have to look into those options.