All Forum Posts by: Dustin Lauer

@Dustin Beam ARMs are not as scary these days to me, while they were certainly per-2008. Look out for pre-payment penalties, and see what the lender's annual caps and lifetime caps are (how much the loans can adjust annually and overall). A 3/1 ARM is fixed for 3 years and then adjusts annually. Also look out for higher floor rates after the ARM period (not very common) - but these are the things you want to know and understand. I am no attorney and I would recommend you consult with one, but I definitely want anything I do for tax and legal reasons to be in an entity. Many lenders (including for conventional loans) will finance an entity and you'll either sign personally separately with the loan or get a non-recourse loan (which can be good especially if you want to use a self-directed IRA / solo 401K as the entity. (* One thing I would not recommend is changing entities after financing is in place, as mentioned above).

I like the REIA meetings in town as well. I try to identify the players at the meetings and just ask them for referrals of good vendors and property sources in the area.

Here's a quick list of some local vendors / service providers I've had good experience with locally recently.

• Appraiser - monarchappraisals.us
• Inspector - byroninspection.com
• Remodeling and Design - midwestcd.com
• Insurance - affinitygm.com
• Title - www.alphatitlellc.net

I agree 100% with @Jeff Rabinowitz  Working with a lender who shoots you straight and does what they say is very valuable for you as an investor, especially as your relationships matter so much on the acquisition side.  When you have deposit money down on a deal, and a limited time frame, you need good people in your corner for sure.

I'd stay right in winter park for your next project.  It's perfect timing to have a house ready for an early summer sale in Winter Park.   I'm financing some great deals currently near Winter Park High.  Seems like there are some good deals between Semoran and Lakemont. Best of luck with your next project.  

Samantha,

I'll keep an eye out for you.  At the end of 2015, I just started investing in Huntsville (financing properties there).  Asset quality and rental returns have been good *(but only been active doing business there for a few months).  So far I think my clients have been buying listed properties, but I can ask or look around for some sources there.  Are you looking for turnkey properties or ones that need rehab?

Great, I'm new to posting here as well. I've been doing business in Cleveland for a couple years now, typically financing small rentals and larger suburban flips.  I think it's a great market that many investor pass on.  Buying low, to me, is a fundamental part of successful RE investing, and Cleveland provides this opportunity, even in decent lower crime neighborhoods.   I regularly, finance buyers there buying from 25% to 50% of construction costs.  (Low) compared to many markets throughout even the Rust Belt.