All Forum Posts by: Elizabeth Colegrove

Don't forget the high taxes and insurance in texas. We have looked in Kingville area of texas but the high taxes and insurance have been the barriers to entrance for us.

We own outside of 3 bases, Hanford, CA, Virginia Beach, VA and Summerville, SC. We have had no trouble keeping our housing filled. The key for us has been to evaluate the job and also the transient nature of the area. We have found that some areas don't make sense because there is not enough renters to make the rents high enough above the mortgage. The more transient areas there is more people than the natural supply of rentals, great ing a much higher rental market.

I schedule showing every 15 minute. That way people have an actual time and feel a sense of commitment. It also helps that when they see other people waiting for their time or to come in, their is pressure. While still allowing me to focus on each client. Still I love no shows.

I have always made the rent versus sell decision based on what the profits would earn me. So far while all of our houses would make 30-60k, the rental cash flow  of $300-$500, principle pay down and continue appreciation, is higher than anything I could invest the profits into.

While our homes are not quiet as high end of the one you mentioned, we do invest in all A properties, in the high end of small towns. Hope this helps!

On a different note, My husband is active duty and we are an active duty family. As a landlord managing 12 properties, 8 of my mine and 4 of family. I rent to active duty because I am a huge believer of taking care of my own. That being, said my military clientele is a MUCH harder group on a landlord and have burned me more than civilian tenants. Personally I have found civilians to be a much easier group and I have had less ulcer inducing moments from civilians over the years. We have tried to do right by our military family over the years, but I can tell you if we didn't believe in taking care of our own, I might change my views from my experiences

I have seen over the years 3rd party, that military members actually have a very hard time finding housing. Specifically highly compettiive non military markets where its a landlord market, military members are not chosen and actually have a hard time finding housing.

Just food for thought.

Welcome!

My husband and I invest in real estate as buy and hold landlords. We currently have 8 rentals after 4.5 years of investing. Our goal is to turn our rentals into a passive income that lets me quit at the end of this duty station and the husband to permanently retire at 44 when he gets out of the military.

I look forward to connecting with you! You will love Biggerpockets. It is a great resource.

What about a cash out refinance to capitalize on the 30 year term and still low mortgage rates? I just did this with 2 of the 6 properties in my name. It worked out fantastic. I have a great mortgage broker if you need a name. She was awesome and my file was difficult (you know how it goes when you are 28 and have 6 properties in your name and low assets bc their your house LOL)

 Thank you!

 Congratulations!! That is awesome