All Forum Posts by: Drew B.

No doubt your cash flow will improve in that area.  It is a great start toward retirement.

If you every figure out why those older commercial properties in Arlington remain on the market for extended periods of time, I'd certainly like to know.  Are you sure it isn't simply high prices/non-motivated sellers?

Drew

Originally posted by @Mark B.:

@Drew B.  I was fortunate to pick up a decent deal on a nice townhome in Fairfax in 2011 that has appreciated 20% since. It is cash flow positive, but my belief is as it continues to appreciate, the cash flow will improve.  My goal is not cash flow now, but long term capital appreciation, with goal of improved cash flow as I near retirement. 

It is hard to make the numbers work locally for cash flow residential, but I'm a DMV native and so I choose to invest locally, where I understand the neighborhood and growth dynamics,  and where I can manage landlord issues locally. 

I do see commercial opportunities.  In Arlington, where I live, residential properties are immediately snapped up, but I see older commercial properties sit vacant for extended periods. This seems to be a disconnect - there are high income residences surrounding underutilized retail and office spaces. My interest is in finding a way of improving these commercial spaces to serve the local market.  But I consider people much smarter than I have not bought or developed these properties, so I'd like to learn why, or whether  they are overlooking something I see. 

Mark

No doubt that is a tough decision.  I've struggled with it myself.  Perhaps you could split the difference and explore lower priced options in areas such as Woodbridge or Manassas?

Drew

Originally posted by @Raju Pothuraju:

@Drew B. and @Mark B. 

Thank you for posting. I moved to Springfield, VA a couple of years ago and am looking for opportunities to buy and hold in the NoVa area. I am torn between investing out of state like Ohio where housing is much cheaper and investing in high property values of NoVA but your posts are encouraging me to not give up on looking for opportunities in the local area.

I would certainly like to meet you and Mike.  I'll send you a message via email.

Drew

@Mike Webb:

Thanks Mike. I'm always looking for to meet people and to learn about opportunities. I will certainly drop you a line via email. 

Unfortunately I have not made it to the HUB CIty REIA. Perhaps sometime in the next few months.

Drew

James,

Thanks.  Great to meet someone from SoMD.  I lived in St. Mary's County and Calvert some time back.  

Drew

Thank you very much for the guidance.