All Forum Posts by: David Walbolt

We’ve just moved down to Durham last fall and are looking to connect with a good realtor that specializes in multi family/house hacking. I currently own a duplex in Minneapolis where we just moved from so have a little investing experience but not much.

We’ve gotten a feel for the neighborhoods and now just looking to connect with realtors, investors, maybe some off market properties, whatever it takes! Let me know if you have any recommendations for the Durham area.

@Shane Lafleur just moved here from Minneapolis this fall. Looking forward to making it!

Hi all,

My fiancé and I are moving to Durham for work end of August. We currently own and house hack a duplex in Minneapolis, MN. Her job is a two year contract but thinking we maybe in NC for longer. I would love to buy, rather than rent and house hack to get the mortgage down and keep our savings rate high!

Any advice/tips on areas to look or specifics to look for would be greatly appreciated as I know NC houses and neighborhoods are different than Minnesota! Open to STR/Duplex or other means of house hacking.

Thanks in advance!

Hi Zack,

I'm trying to figure out exactly where your closets are but for "cheapest" options, can you shift your furnace room south and make that current space a hallway to enter bedroom 1 and the "dining room/bedroom"?  That way your living and kitchen stay in alignment and your bedrooms are side by side.  Seems like less wall shifting.  Just a thought!

@Jem Thompson Hey Jem welcome to Minneapolis and welcome to the NE neighborhood!  I currently am house hacking a duplex here in NE for the last year and a half.  There are lots of things that I have learned when rehabbing my unit and buying this first deal but the biggest thing I've learned (and am thankful for on my place) is buy something with good bones.  It doesn't matter how ugly the place may be.  If it is structurally sound and has good mechanicals/roof, you can take that property many ways!

I would agree with @Jeff Schemmel, the main line inspection is something I chose to do.  Tree roots and etc can penetrate that clay pipe fairly easily so it's good to get the snake video to see what you're working with.  $300-$500 can save you $10,000 down the road!

Feel free to reach out with any questions or if you would like to meet up sometime!

@Micah Haworth @Bradley Eischens

Hi Micah,

To piggyback off of Brad on construction costs, I am an architect here in Minneapolis.  I have experience in high-end custom residential.  Down in the cities with current labor and material costs, we are looking anywhere between $250-300 sq. ft. for construction costs.  Keep in mind, this number is for higher end finishes so it really depends what you are looking for.  Just wanted to get you in the ball park.

I too have been wanting to design, develop and build tiny house Air BNB's somewhere on the north shore so I would love to chat more! 

Hi All,

Are there any small scale (1-16 unit) developers in Minneapolis?  Looking to learn more about the development world and more specifically, strategies for looking for developable land within the new 2040 plan built form map.

Any information is much appreciated.  Looking forward to connecting!

@Marcus Johnson additionally, I know Uber Built recently finished an ADU in south Minneapolis. They're smaller, boutique but do amazing custom builds!

@Marcus Johnson hi Marcus do you already have drawings? I am a licensed architect and would be happy to help if needed!

@Tim Woolery Hi Tim,  I am an architect here in Minneapolis.  I myself have never done a conversion, however, I have experience with both the IBC and IRC and city inspectors.  The biggest challenge in a conversion I would say is making sure you have the required exits for both units.  If it is an up/down conversion, you will likely need to add a deck to the back for an additional exit.  Another thing, not necessarily a challenge, but a cost to consider is the requirement of fire/acoustic separation between the units.  Feel free to reach out with any specific questions!