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All Forum Posts by: Devin James

Devin James has started 103 posts and replied 458 times.

Post: How do you balance striving for more and contentment?

Devin James
Posted
  • Developer
  • Orlando, FL
  • Posts 467
  • Votes 279

I used to say/think “All I need is 1 property and I will be set.”

Once I reached that goal, the drive for the next one felt just as strong.

Reminder to enjoy the journey and that it’s not about the destination.

Every goal you reach, you will enjoy it for a short time, then be on to the next one.

How do you balance striving to do better and for more while understanding that it will never be enough?

Post: How the market has shifted in just a few years

Devin James
Posted
  • Developer
  • Orlando, FL
  • Posts 467
  • Votes 279
Quote from @Scott Mac:
Quote from @Devin James:

In 2021, we saw buyers upgrading to larger homes, taking advantage of 3% interest rates to afford an extra 300+ square feet.

Today, smaller homes are selling much faster as higher rates make additional square footage less affordable.

While rates are historically average, I don’t see them dropping significantly. Combine that with America’s housing shortage, and the solution becomes clear:

We need to build more homes that align with what buyers can afford. That is smaller units built with higher density to make the numbers work for both buyers and builders.

Adapting to these challenges isn’t easy, but it’s necessary to keep up with the market.

What are your thoughts on how builders and developers can address affordability and supply issues.


 Hi Devin,

Have you ever considered that instead of America needing smaller homes that are more affordable, that America needs more higher paying jobs so that people can live the actual American dream versus having to settle for less and less and less (Has George Carlin pointed out in his classic speech about this). 

Just my 2 cents.

Hey Scott,

I don’t disagree with you at all

My perspective is shaped by what I know best: Housing. That’s why my original post focuses on what can be done within that space to address affordability. I’ll leave the higher-paying job solutions to the experts in that field, but I do believe both sides are important to address the larger issue.

I appreciate your insight!

Post: How the market has shifted in just a few years

Devin James
Posted
  • Developer
  • Orlando, FL
  • Posts 467
  • Votes 279

In 2021, we saw buyers upgrading to larger homes, taking advantage of 3% interest rates to afford an extra 300+ square feet.

Today, smaller homes are selling much faster as higher rates make additional square footage less affordable.

While rates are historically average, I don’t see them dropping significantly. Combine that with America’s housing shortage, and the solution becomes clear:

We need to build more homes that align with what buyers can afford. That is smaller units built with higher density to make the numbers work for both buyers and builders.

Adapting to these challenges isn’t easy, but it’s necessary to keep up with the market.

What are your thoughts on how builders and developers can address affordability and supply issues.

Post: Update - Everything Went Wrong

Devin James
Posted
  • Developer
  • Orlando, FL
  • Posts 467
  • Votes 279
Quote from @Todd Anderson:

Devin,

Congrats with the win!  Development is a fun and frustrating venture, but Real Estate is still a good place to find a win.  It is always good business to stay conservative on numbers.  

Learn from the exercise and do better on the next.

Good luck!


 Thank you Todd!

Great experience for sure

Post: Update - Everything Went Wrong

Devin James
Posted
  • Developer
  • Orlando, FL
  • Posts 467
  • Votes 279
Quote from @Dominic Mazzarella:
Quote from @Devin James:

Everything went wrong with this investment:

   - Took 4 months longer than expected

   - Cost $10K more to build than we anticipated

   - Sold for $20K less than we anticipated

We still profited with a 30% return on equity

This is why I love Real Estate Investing

When you do your diligence and stay conservative with your numbers, it takes something really bad to lose money.

Here was the original post:

My siblings and I are building a home in North Port, FL.

Here are the numbers:
- Finished Home Value: $412Kish
- Land Cost: $19,750.39
- Construction & Permitting Costs: $304,897

Additional costs:
- Environmental Site Assessment
- General Liability Insurance
- Builders Risk Insurance
- Construction Financing

We will be listing the home this week

Photos coming soon!!


 Haha yeah this is what real estate deals usually look like for me, but awesome that you came out ahead! And your central point I think, is to use conservative numbers so the deal still makes sense even in the worst case scenario. Good stuff!


Oh and I’ve got a good bit of family in North Port. Small world. 


Thanks Dominic!

I try to provide the raw truth. Home runs are far and few between.

Post: Update - Everything Went Wrong

Devin James
Posted
  • Developer
  • Orlando, FL
  • Posts 467
  • Votes 279

Everything went wrong with this investment:

   - Took 4 months longer than expected

   - Cost $10K more to build than we anticipated

   - Sold for $20K less than we anticipated

We still profited with a 30% return on equity

This is why I love Real Estate Investing

When you do your diligence and stay conservative with your numbers, it takes something really bad to lose money.

Here was the original post:

My siblings and I are building a home in North Port, FL.

Here are the numbers:
- Finished Home Value: $412Kish
- Land Cost: $19,750.39
- Construction & Permitting Costs: $304,897

Additional costs:
- Environmental Site Assessment
- General Liability Insurance
- Builders Risk Insurance
- Construction Financing

We will be listing the home this week

Photos coming soon!!

Post: Young aspiring real estate investor seeking advise

Devin James
Posted
  • Developer
  • Orlando, FL
  • Posts 467
  • Votes 279
Quote from @Lenny Montesano:

Hello to all,

I am a 22 year old Husband/Father/student athlete at East Tennesee State University. As a senior baseball player looking to eventually play pro ball after this spring semester, I acquired a serious interest in doing real estate as another source of income. I desire to begin investing asap so I started the process of learning as much as I can by reading and watching videos. Currently I am reading "Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat" by David Greene and tuning in to a lot of Brandon Turner video and content. Any recommendation for the first steps I should take if I want to purchase my first rental property using the BRRRR method (or flipping). Also, does anyone think it would be in my best interest to wait to graduate in may? Although, I would definitley prefer placing my first property under my belt before then if it's possible

Thank you !


Hey Lenny,

Love to see that you also got the Real Estate bug so young

I recommend a BRRRR/house-hack for your first one

Buy a place that you can live in with a low downpayment, fix it up, and then you will have the option to 

1) Refinance and live in it

2) Refinance and rent it out

3) Sell and do it over again

4) Dont refinance and continue to live in it

5) Dont refinance and rent it out

You will have a ton of flexibility and the safety of knowing you have a place to live

Please reach out via DM if you have any questions moving forward. Love to help fellow youngins getting after it.

Post: Do you prioritize equity growth or cash flow in your investments?

Devin James
Posted
  • Developer
  • Orlando, FL
  • Posts 467
  • Votes 279
Quote from @Nathan Gesner:

Cash flow is helpful because it ensures the property pays for itself and is a safe investment. However, appreciation will put more dollars in your pocket over the long run.

The best solution is to find a property with positive cash flow in an appreciating market. That's where I live. I find properties below market value that cash flow. They pay for themselves and put money in my pocket to build up a reserve for the next purchase. At the same time, my market appreciates well so I gain significant value by holding on for the long-term.

"appreciation will put more dollars in your pocket over the long run"

100%, this is why I focus on appreciation

My first deal taught me the power of sweat equity and appreciation. It would take me a lifetime to make as much in cashflow as I did in equity growth. 

Post: Do you prioritize equity growth or cash flow in your investments?

Devin James
Posted
  • Developer
  • Orlando, FL
  • Posts 467
  • Votes 279
Quote from @Alecia Loveless:

@Devin James I try to buy properties where there will be solid appreciation. However if there’s not also some cash flow I won’t do the deal.

While I do take into consideration all the relevant expenses when I vet a property I still like to see at least $200/door cash flow so I can more easily build up my reserves and have some money to work with.


 Makes sense, what markets are you in?

Post: Do you prioritize equity growth or cash flow in your investments?

Devin James
Posted
  • Developer
  • Orlando, FL
  • Posts 467
  • Votes 279
Quote from @Chris Seveney:
Quote from @Devin James:

When running numbers on an investment property, I focus more on equity growth than monthly cash flow.

Here’s why:

If I can acquire a property at a low basis and add significant value, I can:

1) Sell and reinvest elsewhere

2) Cash-out refinance to recapture my investment. Id be happy to break-even with the rental income if I get all of my invested capital back.

At this stage in my life, these equity plays are more impactful than holding onto a property for a couple hundred dollars of monthly cash flow.

What’s your take? Do you prioritize equity growth or cash flow in your investments?

During period of low interest every post on BP was about cash flow - now that cash flow upon acquisition is dead the only option is equity which is also reeling because price appreciation is finally back to reality

personally I buy for growth because I buy to hold for 10-20 years or longer. I am 100% ok with my w2 providing me income to maintain my life and grow a nest egg for the later aspect of life 

 Its been rewarding to see this transition personally. When I started with BP in 2018, cashflow was king. Ive also seen the huge transition.