All Forum Posts by: Dale Lookabaugh

Thank you Will and Charles. Hopefully it all goes well. Just talking to the agent on the phone she said the inside was in rough shape, which isnt a suprise. I can tell it needs some rehab but we will see how much. Its in a great neighborhood its just an ugly house.

I have an appiontment to go look at a property that could good a good rental house. It is in a good nieghborhood, 4/2, the house is empty and the owner lives out of town, its on the corner but both streets are not busy at all. Any advice on questions I need to ask?
Thanks.

I have read only two real estate books and I feel like they said the same thing. Its like I'm reading the same book with a different author and title.
Let me tell you about my situation. My goal is to buy my first rental property next year, probably before summer. I look at the Sunday paper every week and i have made a spreadsheet of the houses that I think might be a good buy. I have also made myself a spread sheet of rental houses already on the market and how much they rent for.
I'm really not sure yet on how I'm going to come up with the money to start investing. This is my biggest problem. I just got married just graduated and well just started saving. I know of some people i may be able to go to but I want to have a solid business plan to sell to them. I don't want to go to a bank.
I want to start investing now but I feel that I'm still not educated enough to start. Any advice on what steps I need to take next are much appreciated. I hate to even ask this but any good books out there?

I thought discount rent was a good idea but it seems like a hassle for the landlord. Sending out a letter or giving the tenant a phone call just seems like a hassle. Plus I'm sure it does confuse some tenants like you said Bryan. I think it might be better just to keep it consistent. However, I do like the gift card idea for good tenants, I think that's a great idea to keep tenant loyalty up, if there is such thing.

I read "Building Wealth One House at a Time" by John schaub. In the book he mentions he will discount a tentants monthly rent if they pay before thier due date. Has anyone used this method? If so what process do you use? Do you send the tenant a letter telling them to pay X amount this month? I'm curious to see if it's worth it.

Thank you to all that have welcomed me and have given me good advice. I guess I need to work on my grammar too. I'm so excited that there are people willing to help other people.

Thank you for the advice. I'm in midland tx. The oldest houses here were built in the 1920's. That about as old as they around here. Mostly peir and beam.

good morning,

What are some characteristics of a good or even great rental houses. I've been looking around town at potential rent houses and I think I know which are good and which are bad. I just want to see what y'all think.

Dale Lookabaugh

Hi, my name is Dale Lookabaugh. I just graduated from college and just got married. I have a desk job and its drving me crazy. I have a I'm very interested into getting into the real estate business and making money for myself and my family. I'm here because my friend Bryan Alenky refered me to this website. He says it is a great resource. I'm ready to learn everything I can. I would appreciate any helpful tips and advice from anyone. I'm excited to get going!