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All Forum Posts by: David Liu

David Liu has started 2 posts and replied 31 times.

Post: Zillow Rental Manager Background Screening Results

David LiuPosted
  • San Francisco Bay Area
  • Posts 33
  • Votes 31

The 3rd party wasn't able to screen the applicant. Not sure what 3rd party they use, I typically use transunion smartmove. 

Take a look at the overall picture, i.e. credit score, debts etc.. to make a decision. Don't base it on one data point that is not available :) good luck

Post: Duplex Concerns w/ VA Loan

David LiuPosted
  • San Francisco Bay Area
  • Posts 33
  • Votes 31

$2,698-$1600= $1098/mo would be your responsibilty and you said you could cover it all. 

Would you be able to rent for cheaper if you didn't have the property? i.e. a 3b/2.5b is probs way more than $1098/mo 

So I'd go for it. Biggest caveat is you didn't mention the location. If it's a bad location, then I wouldn't do it. 

That's great to hear that you're graduating and you want to get into multifamily.

I would start off in a commercial real estate firm, learn the systems, the sales/buying process, how to analyze deals etc... Do that for a couple of years and then you'll have all the systems and knowledge to start your own firm. This is assuming you haven't already done this during college (summer job or working part time)


I would go where I can get a job in a commercial real estate firm. 

Hope that helps,

Post: Best Practices for LVP Floor Installation

David LiuPosted
  • San Francisco Bay Area
  • Posts 33
  • Votes 31

If it's on the perimeter it may be due to moisture or termites. I'd check for that before installing LVP and replace the subfloor where needed and treat any termite damage. 

Post: Attention all Investors.

David LiuPosted
  • San Francisco Bay Area
  • Posts 33
  • Votes 31
Quote from @Roberto Vasquez:

Hey David. Thank you I appreciate the advice. Still on a learning curve. 
but for me the Toledo and surrounding areas. The shape of the properties varies. There is an abundance of single family properties. I think starting off that would be my main focus multi family in the future. I have numerous in mind that I saved on Zillow and Redfin. Also have a realtor buddy that is willing to give me leads when any off market properties pop up. 

Ok that's a good start. Now you should let potential investors know what the price range is for the single family home you're looking at. Is it a fix & Flip? is it a long term hold? 
How much money you're looking for?
What's the estimated after repair value? 
How long will it take to do the repairs/upgrades. 
Finally, you mentioned you're a contractor. What do you specialize in? Drywall, flooring etc... 
This will then help investors 1. See what their potential returns are.  2. See what value you provide (i.e. your specialty in the trades). 

Post: Best Practices for LVP Floor Installation

David LiuPosted
  • San Francisco Bay Area
  • Posts 33
  • Votes 31
Quote from @John Herold:

Hello all, what are some best practices for LVP floor installation for a manufactured home on a permanent foundation?

The click on / locking type seems like what most investors use, but repairs seem difficult without having to re-do a large area.  Is it possible to fix a soft spot without having to re-do the whole room?

How wet is too wet for existing subfloor?  Are moisture meters used or no?

What do investors use for the moisture membrane(s)?  Right under the wood and/or under the house in the crawlspace?  What materials are used besides the LVP itself?

I have heard that leaving 1/4 " along the perimeter can help expansion issues.  Is this true in your experience?

I assume it's typically best (if it's necessary to do so and if the budget allows) to re-level the home before the floors are installed.  Are floors typically installed before or after the cabinets are put in?

Thank you for your thoughts on any of the above!


 Hey John, 

I used be a construction engineer and installed LVP in own house. 

The click-on/locking type is the one to use because contractors are used to using them. That means there are higher chances you will find someone who can do a good job at installing it vs using a less installed LVP connector system. 

In terms of a soft spot, that's usually the subfloor and not the LVP (I'm assuming that's what you meant). Depending on where it appears in the room , you may have to remove the LVP and do the whole room again after the subfloor is repaired. But this typically isn't the sequence of events since it seems like you are going to be installing new LVP , so have the contractor repair the soft spot first then install the LVP. 

It'd be good to use a moisture meter and get the opinion of 3 contractors. 

As for a moisture barrier on above the subfloor and below the LVP you'll want to install what they underlayment. This is a moisture barrier. Do not just buy LVP with underlayment already glued on it as a layer. Install a separate underlayment layer even if the LVP you have already has underlayment glued on (it's usually too thin). 

1/4" is the gap you want to leave for expansion during the hotter months. 

Re-leveling can be done using self-leveling concrete, flooring contractors can do that and it should be quoted. 

As for floors being installed before or after. It depends. If the cabinets are touching the floor, I'd say put the cabinets in first and this way you know exactly where you need cut the flooring to ensure a 1/4inch gap between the lvp and the foot of the cabinet. 

Hope this helps

Post: Old, Small Multifamily HVAC

David LiuPosted
  • San Francisco Bay Area
  • Posts 33
  • Votes 31

I would get quotes first and then decide what to do. I would also ask the hvac companies (min 3) what they would recommend. They do this day in day out and typically will have come across the same situation that you're in. i.e. radiator, summer is hot, old house, what to install for summer coolin? 

Post: Attention all Investors.

David LiuPosted
  • San Francisco Bay Area
  • Posts 33
  • Votes 31

Hey Roberto, 

Thanks for sharing your heartfelt story. 

To get better luck in investors to partner with you. I recommend that you state what your buy box is. Are you looking for properties in the Toledo area? What shape are they in? Is it a single family home? Duplex? 10 unit? 

That will help other investors who are looking to partner, to get a better sense of what you're looking for and if it fits their needs. 

Hope that helps and good luck! 

Post: First flip, occupying first

David LiuPosted
  • San Francisco Bay Area
  • Posts 33
  • Votes 31

I'd also consider renting out part of this property that you will purchase. 

This way the tenant rent could pay for part of the renovations as well or the tenant could just reduce your mortgage payment so you gain wealth quicker to keep purchasing properties. 

Let me know if you have any other questions,

David

Post: House hacking. How to calculate cash flow

David LiuPosted
  • San Francisco Bay Area
  • Posts 33
  • Votes 31
Quote from @David M.:

@Michael Ashe Okay.  But, it seems one "sticking point" is the change in property taxes.  I know that parts of the country you lose your homestead discount, change rate for non-owner occupied, or just nothing (like my market).  So, you might want to research that directly for your location.  Or, was the comment you referring specific to your location?

Better to act on correct info.

@Michael Ashe, good advice from the other David. Just call up your local county tax board. They should be able to give you a clear answer on what your property taxes should be if you turn it into a rental. again, this is weird to me that they would do that but best to find out direct from the source.