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All Forum Posts by: John Burtle

John Burtle has started 29 posts and replied 279 times.

Post: Building my first spec home!

John BurtlePosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Illinois
  • Posts 284
  • Votes 166

Sorry for the delay. Someone messaged me months ago and told me to quit spilling the beans on the whole build and to wait until it’s done/sold before I discuss anymore numbers. That’s why I quit posting. But here’s the home. 


my oh my has it been quite the journey. This is my first spec house and I’ve learned a lot. A LOT. We are way behind on schedule to say the least. Cabinets/trim go in this week and flooring should be going in within the next few weeks. After that it’s paint and finishing touches. 

the market here has come to a hault. Which isn’t good. The interest only payments aren’t getting any cheaper. I’m ready to get this thing done, do open houses, and try to sell it. It’s been on the market for 120 days. I’ve only had 1 person look at it. They said it’s way too small for the price. (3,192 square foot total) 2,200 on the main floor alone. The other is the finished basement. I’ll update some more once the cabinets and flooring is done. Sorry again for the delay and late responses. When it’s sold I’ll post the entire journey start to finish with numbers. The main question I keep getting asked is if I’ll do it again. As of now. NO. The profit isn’t going to be anywhere I initially wanted and was told it would be. Hence spec house.  My next projects will be flips for a while. If I build again I’ll go in with a partner and shoot for a duplex or smaller home. Not a 499,000 house. 

Post: Building my first spec home!

John BurtlePosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Illinois
  • Posts 284
  • Votes 166
Quote from @Robert Jackson:

Did you GC the project yourself? How did you obtain financing? Did you buy the lot outright? 


Post: First time with new construction: Cape Coral, FL

John BurtlePosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Illinois
  • Posts 284
  • Votes 166

wow! 

Congrats for the new build. Over two years would have me so nervous. 

I am getting ready to start my first spec home build. As you know it can be nerve wrecking. 

I'm looking forward to seeing the progress and I hope your build gets done soon. 

Post: Building my first spec home!

John BurtlePosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Illinois
  • Posts 284
  • Votes 166

The 385Kish includes the lot. The lot was $65,000. 

Post: Building my first spec home!

John BurtlePosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Illinois
  • Posts 284
  • Votes 166

Well, here goes nothing. This has been a LONG time coming. 

I have wanted to get into flipping houses and building houses since I was a little kid. I helped an Invester from the age 14-19. He flipped houses, built apartment complexes etc....so that's where me wanting to do all of this comes from.

Rather than flip houses I'm going straight to building a new home from the ground up. I am beyond nervous. But unless you take a chance you'll never know.

Some basics on the home. It will be a single-story ranch with a full semi-finished basement. 9' walls. Laminate flooring in main areas with carpet in the bedrooms. 4 bedroom, 2 full baths, and the basement will have a full bath roughed in as well as a wet bar rough in. 1 egress window in the basement for a future bedroom. I will frame the future bedroom, but not finish it.

Vinyl siding with partial stone across the front. Oversized 3 car garage. 2182 square foot total.

I came up with $385,000 to build for material/labor. It appraised for $519,000. I will be listing for $495,900.

I'm building in a brand-new subdivision. Of course, the subdivision is surrounded by other subdivisions that are full of homes. There's one home that's already built and sold. It sold for $440,000 5 months ago. Its about 900 square foot smaller than the one I'm building. 

There's another one that's almost finished. It's still for sale. That guy started his build 6 months ago and has had it listed since day one. They are just waiting for a few odds and ends, but it'll be done in a week or two. 

What makes me nervous is his hasn't sold yet for the $495,900 price. It is basically the same house I'm building. Just different colors etc....He initially listed his for $505,000.

There are comps in the area that justify the 495-500K.

I plan to do some of the work myself. I plan to prime the whole house and then have a painter come in and paint. I will prime/paint the garage myself. I will do some of the flooring myself, set the cabinets myself, and do some other odds and ends. So that 385K should drop down to the 370's all said and done. Again, these are all rough numbers. We all know how things can change. 

The bank set me in at 7.1% interest (construction loan short term)

This will be a side hustle for me. I have a full time w2 job. (I ended up getting my real estate license last year as a side hustle too) because I was dead set on flipping/building homes. I want to save a little $ by not having to pay an agent over 25K in commission for a project like this. I'll be offering a 3% commission for an agent to bring me a buyer for this build. At the end of the day, it will probably take about 5-6 months to build it start to finish. I hope it is sold before its done. That's of course the goal. Worse case if it is done/sold within 8-9 months and I profit $15-20K I'll be happy with my first big project. The end goal is to make $30K all said and done off new home builds and subbing 90% of the work out. Builders in my area have told me that's generally what you can swing. At times you can profit $40-50K. It just depends. Those profit numbers are after all expenses are paid. 

I will post pictures as the build comes along. The basement will be getting dug next week. So, if you're interested, please follow along! I will post pictures, numbers, and anything else one may want to know from start to finish. I have read so many books, read so many posts on here, and have listened to so many podcasts. I am so excited to do this, but I don't think I've ever been so nervous! 

To the ones who build/have built spec homes I'd love to hear your stories and advice.

Post: Springfield, IL investing

John BurtlePosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Illinois
  • Posts 284
  • Votes 166
Quote from @Danusha Lameris:
Quote from @Brian Schroeder:

Hello I was born and raised here in Springfield il.  I am 57 and I have four properties in Springfield il.  I do my own property management, so I don't really have any recommendations of property managers.  I would be happy to answer any questions on quality of location and/or properties, or any other question you might have. 

Thanks! Much appreciated. Seems like a very green/ tree lined kind of town. Open to realtor suggestions if you have one you are happy with!

I’d be more than happy to work with you. 

I’m a realtor with Keller Williams. Jim Skeeters Sales team. We deal with residential, commercial, new construction, multi family, and flips. 

One of the developers I work close with is getting ready to build 4 spec houses. They will end up being sold before they are built with the demand. 

These are $400,000 houses in a new subdivision he is developing. 

We deal with it all. 


Post: Springfield, IL investing

John BurtlePosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Illinois
  • Posts 284
  • Votes 166
Quote from @ThomasRoy Penland:
Quote from @Danusha Lameris:
Quote from @ThomasRoy Penland:
Quote from @Nicholas Hausmann:

I live in St. Louis and looking at buying a property in Springfield, IL. Springfield is only about 2 hours from me, but don't know much about the market. Properties seem to be pretty inexpensive. Many duplexes are under $100k and LTR at $750, STR at $100-$125/night and midterm at $1500. I'm looking at a duplex and running half as STR and the other as mid-term for travel nurses. Is this reasonable idea for this market? With this plan I would need cleaners and contractors/handymen. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you!

I am very happy with my team out there. I am more than happy to give you their contact info if you are still interested. I would suggest talking with them to get a good idea where and what to buy. The property management is the most important part of any team and I trust mine all the way.

 Hi @ThomasRoy Penland Very interested in learning more about your team. I am looking to buy a rental in Springfield IL and need to build out the supports. Thanks!

I started with a property management company. I interviewed 3 different companies and then talked to some realtors as well. This was to get ideas who they suggest for property management. I’m currently changing some things around, so I don’t want to name anyone as of yet. I think it’s a great place to invest, all the numbers point to it being one of few left with positive cash flow. PM me for more detailed information.

 If anyone needs a realtor in the Springfield; Illinois area I can help.


I’m a realtor with Keller Williams, Jim Skeeters Sales team. The Skeeters have been in real estate for over 40 years. I’m also connected with developers if anyone wants to talk about spec houses/multi family builds

Post: Springfield, IL investing

John BurtlePosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Illinois
  • Posts 284
  • Votes 166
Quote from @Nicholas Hausmann:

I live in St. Louis and looking at buying a property in Springfield, IL. Springfield is only about 2 hours from me, but don't know much about the market. Properties seem to be pretty inexpensive. Many duplexes are under $100k and LTR at $750, STR at $100-$125/night and midterm at $1500. I'm looking at a duplex and running half as STR and the other as mid-term for travel nurses. Is this reasonable idea for this market? With this plan I would need cleaners and contractors/handymen. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you!


are you still looking for properties in the Springfield, IL area? I’m a local realtor and can help you out as much as possible 

Post: Springfield, IL investing

John BurtlePosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Illinois
  • Posts 284
  • Votes 166
Quote from @Nicholas Hausmann:

I live in St. Louis and looking at buying a property in Springfield, IL. Springfield is only about 2 hours from me, but don't know much about the market. Properties seem to be pretty inexpensive. Many duplexes are under $100k and LTR at $750, STR at $100-$125/night and midterm at $1500. I'm looking at a duplex and running half as STR and the other as mid-term for travel nurses. Is this reasonable idea for this market? With this plan I would need cleaners and contractors/handymen. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you!


are you still looking for properties in the Springfield, IL area? I’m a local realtor and can help you out as much as possible 

Post: Which city should I start my first out-of-state BRRRR

John BurtlePosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Illinois
  • Posts 284
  • Votes 166
Quote from @Zeliang Zheng:

I want to start out-of-state BRRRR. Does anyone have recommendation as to what city I should start? I am looking for places that has good potential to appreciate over time and good monthly return (~1%).


 Illinois is a good state to brrrr. I tend to find good properties that will perform well.