All Forum Posts by: Eric L.

Thanks a lot Charles Perkins, I just spent all afternoon watching episodes at work!

Yep I had the same problem! I said the same thing as George P., isn't that the point of an inspection? I am pulling a permit and scheduling an inspection to make sure I do the work correctly! You run into shady jobs when there are no permits pulled! But people trying to do it correctly get screwed.

My problem was plumbing. I bought a foreclosure that needed a complete plumbing rehab, from the water lines in to the vent/waste pipes leaving. Tore out the whole kitchen and bathroom. I ran all the plumbing with the help of a licensed plumber (but not licensed in the city of minneapolis, which is needed in minneapolis). Pulled a permit and had the inspector come out, he was in the house for no more than 5 seconds and walked out saying he can't inspect it.

I called the building department office and came to the conclusion that I can't do any plumbing work on the house unless I live in it, and by law I can't live in a house that doesn't have a working toilet. I had to hire a licensed plumber to go to the city and pull a permit. He charged me $500 in addition to the cost of the permit (which I already pulled and paid for once).

I am putting in another bathroom and do not want to pull another plumbing permit, but I know it will bite me in the arse if I don't. I don't understand why people trying to do the right thing get crapped on!

The house looks great! Congrats! I really like the layout of the site as well. I've bookmarked it so I'll stop by from time to time.

Jim S you take it back!

Mark D. - I don't think Rich is looking for a professional blueprint, just an idea quickly noted on a piece of paper with some dimensions, or, in the case of Karen's son, a professional draft only in order to help him better his skills.

I agree what you say about a well designed home, and I wouldn't expect (nor I doubt Rich would) a draftsmen to come up with a design just to submit into a pool of other designs for $500.

I like this idea Rich Weese, something fun for those interested to tinker with, while you get some fresh ideas on floorplans. You should upload the floorplan you decide to go with!

Phillip Dwyer, that is exactly what my friend does. He found or knew a chef that just came out of school and he is the one making the food in the cart.

Welcome to BP! Although I am not familiar with REI Web Tools, nor Jerry Woods' free course, I agree with Jerry, most of the fancy tools turn out to just be information you can learn from BiggerPockets, just all hyped up.

You will be way better off if you put in some serious time learning your market inside and out and reading the blogs and forum posts here on Biggerpockets. This place is a wealth of information. Use it to your advantage. Save your money for marketing or putting together a deal rather than purchasing things like this.

If you are looking for a lead management software check out flippingjunkie.com. The blog is down but he created a free lead management software.

Here is a review of REI Web Tools from BiggerPockets:

http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/79/topics/37795-reiwebtools

I agree, that is scary! Just think of acquiring a rental and a guy like this came along with it... I wouldn't think to do a background check on existing tenants.. Now I will.

You are right Joshua Dorkin the comments are the scariest part. I just can't wrap my brain around the fact that people read that article and feel the need to defend him, or agree what he is doing is okay. He is literally ruining homes and apartments in order to get free rent. Definitely eye opening...

A college buddy just opened one up here in Minneapolis. He works a full-time job and has a few workers run it during the day. I think as others have said, the hardest part is the code compliance. From what I can see working dt mpls here, if you can get past that you'll be golden. There are some lines that are a block long. People are waiting their whole lunch breaks to get food from these food trailers. I've heard some trailers that sell out by noon. Granted here they only have a short few month season...

I'm not sure how well my buddy is doing as this is his first year out there and we haven't discussed yet, but there are a few trucks that have done so well the past few years they are opening up restaurants in the area.

Definitely something to look into... If I were to do it I would separate the running of the business and working the actual truck. The most efficient (and busiest) truck I've seen has a group of college-aged kids scrambling around in there cranking out tons of burritos by the minute. I would just get in the way!

Sorry if I missed something since I just skimmed, but she is willing to sell for 16,500 AND paying the rehab costs? I think some serious investigation needs to be done.. It sounds a little too good to be true..