All Forum Posts by: David Istanich

Is this still available? Please email me if it is [email protected]

@I am hoping there is an unlisted meet up group in Port St. Lucie, FL or within the region that would be willing to mentor my wife and I.

The reason I say unlisted is because I checked the events tab and didn't find anything.  

Hello everyone,

I just bought a fixer upper in PSL, FL. My wife and I are going to live in it for 5 years and make it a live in reno. We will do most of the work ourselves with the help of a few contractor friends for guidance. This has really sparked our interest into getting into flipping. We've been watching HGTV and DIY for a few years now and we definitely want to start some how. We love doing the work. Not just passing it all off to others. We aren't just dreamers. I've read all the framing, concrete, electrical, and plumbing books the library had to offer. We've built fences, laid the concrete for a shed and build that. 

My ultimate goal is to be able to give my wife the option of not having to go to a 9-5 job. I just really don't know how to go about it. My largest problem is funds. We put 20% on this home and will be using all our income to complete the reno. In 5 years we will have a nice profit. But I would like to get started earlier if possible. I am hoping there is an unlisted meet up group in Port St. Lucie, FL or within the region that would be willing to mentor my wife and I. We are savings savvy. I learned savings and blue collared work ethic from my father but he had no clue on how to let your money work for you. In turn, I have yet to grasp the concept myself. 

So please, if you are able to point me in the direction to get connected with some locals it would be very helpful. Thank you. 

I am a previous exterminator. Do NOT just set poison traps inside. You run the risk of the rats dying in the attic or in the walls and leaving a horrendous smell. Then you need to pay someone to come find it. Possibly even have to cut into walls. It can create a huge issue. Poison is good for rats around the outside but I don't recommend it inside. Our technique was to always find and seal up all the entry points and set a trap checking regimen. We would check traps Mon, Wed, Fri and remove any rodents caught. One of two things happened. When you sealed up the building either all the rodents were trapped outside and you have no more issues. Or you slowly catch all the rodents you trapped inside which could take up to two weeks. However, if you/exterminator didn't crawl the entire attic and get on the roof and find all the openings then it's hard to believe you know where all the openings are. Rats just need a quarter size hole and mice need a dime size hole. I have't been to one house that didn't have openings on the roof especially in the multi million dollar homes here in Florida. What I am trying to say is you may need to hire a company that will actually complete a seal up and everything. An untrained eye will pass up most of the entry points and seal up non entry points. If you are going to DIY then use stucco to fill in openings and small wire construction mesh. Hope this helps some. BTW at least with my prior company this can get quite pricey but you need it done right.