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All Forum Posts by: Elizabeth Seiferth

Elizabeth Seiferth has started 3 posts and replied 20 times.

Post: New to real estate - Not sure where to start

Elizabeth Seiferth
Pro Member
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Carlsbad, CA
  • Posts 20
  • Votes 17
Quote from @Julie Bourdon:

Hey everyone! 
I've had my eye on real estate investing for about a year now, particularly interested in starting with house hacking. However, after recently relocating to California for personal reasons, I've come to realize that the market here is quite challenging for beginners like myself.

I'm contemplating shifting my strategy to out-of-state investing. I've managed to save up a decent amount for a downpayment, but I'm feeling lost about where to even begin. Learning about various investment approaches has been overwhelming and taking that initial step toward building passive income streams seems daunting. Ive read books and listened to podcast but cant seem to find the strength to take that first step.

If anyone has been in a similar situation, I'd appreciate hearing about your experiences and how you overcame the fear and uncertainty to take that first leap into real estate. What motivated you and what were your first steps to dive in and not let fear or lack of knowledge stop you from making progress. 

Thanks in advance for any advice or insights you can offer!H

 Hi Julie! I’m also in California and have debated about every strategy out there 😅. But landed on flipping (with the intent of buying and holding eventually) given that I have always wanted to do it! My big concern, like you, was the cost of property in California but there are some cheaper markets in state as well that have a lower barrier to entry than the coastal markets. I am sure you can find success in whatever you do. And let me know if you’d like to connect, I am in North county san diego and in OC often. 

Post: Best Hard Money Lenders For First Flip

Elizabeth Seiferth
Pro Member
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Carlsbad, CA
  • Posts 20
  • Votes 17
Quote from @Connor Kline:

I am looking to purchase my first flip. I am currently negotiating with the sellers. I have been in contact with a few lenders, and hard money lenders. I am curious to know if anybody has a good lender they would recommend for a first time investor? The deal I am currently looking at is purchase price between 50k-60k. Rehab between 75k-90k. ARV 205k. The goal is to flip it, but alternative exit strategy would be to refi into long term hold.

Ideally the lender I am looking for needs to work with first time investor, and also okay with the amount of rehab needed. (a couple lenders have told me it is to big of a rehab for a first time investor).

I have 25k in reserves, and need a lender that is okay with that. 

Any advice would also be appreciated!

Hi Connor - congrats on finding a flip! You’ve received a lot of good advice above. We (my boyfriend and I) are under contract for our first flip in California and while I’m excited my veins are also fueled with fear, but I just need to keep reminding myself of the numbers. 😅

From my experience so far in contacting HML’s, many won’t lend beyond 85% LTC and below a 75k PP. However, I am sure there are loan products out there that may work. A few suggestions:
1) Could you raise private money instead? Family, friends, networking contacts instead of using a HML? Full disclosure - I have not done that but could be a work around for the red tape with a HML. I imagine a similar level of due diligence may be required. 
2) perhaps a construction loan product might be a better route? Again, I’m not familiar with them by any means but there are definitely lenders out there that do construction loans. 
3) do you have a primary property that you could take out a HELOC? We have a HELOC on our property that we are using for the down payment + reserves. 

Good luck!! 
liz

Post: Title shows incorrect number of beds

Elizabeth Seiferth
Pro Member
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Carlsbad, CA
  • Posts 20
  • Votes 17
Quote from @William Klawitter:

Hi all. I have a wholesale deal under contract, but I'm seeing that title incorrectly shows 2 beds when there are really 3.  Seller claims all 3 beds are original & from my inspection, they appear to be original as well.  My buyers will still need some documentation though. So the question is- if title's wrong, where can I go next to get the docs that prove the 3 beds are original?  I'd guess that I could go to the county- but isn't that where title gets their info from anyway?  Seller has their purchase docs but they don't say anything about the number of rooms. Thanks in advance.

Hi @William Klawitter I’m resurrecting this post from 9 years ago 😅. I’m under contract for a property that is showing 2 bed /1  bath with the county but there is a 3rd bedroom and it appears to be original to the house. I’m curious if you remember how this situation resolved? We will be doing a fix and flip and 3/1 or 3/2 (if we add a 2nd bathroom) would be a big difference for selling purposes. Thanks :) 

Post: Looking for GC recommendations for a fix and flip

Elizabeth Seiferth
Pro Member
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Carlsbad, CA
  • Posts 20
  • Votes 17
Quote from @Mark Ainley:

@Elizabeth Seiferth if you DM me suburb and scope size I will connect you with one or two people we have worked with.  

 Thank you @Mark Ainley! If it does by some small chance pan out then I'll send you a DM! Appreciate the offer. 

Post: Looking for GC recommendations for a fix and flip

Elizabeth Seiferth
Pro Member
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Carlsbad, CA
  • Posts 20
  • Votes 17
Quote from @Jonathan Klemm:

Hey There @Elizabeth Seiferth - Congrats on getting a flip under contract!  Which Chicago suburb is the property in?

Your general contractor in my opinion is one of the most key members of your team especially if this is your first flip.  The thing I have learned through flipping many properties is that slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

Make sure you vet your contractors as thoroughly as you would vet a tenant - I have learned vetting is one of the most important things I can do as an investor.

Thank you @Jonathan Klemm! The property I was looking at (the wholesaler is seeming to have some issues with the seller aka I think the deal is dead) was in Maywood. Though I am looking all over!

Post: Looking for GC recommendations for a fix and flip

Elizabeth Seiferth
Pro Member
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Carlsbad, CA
  • Posts 20
  • Votes 17
Quote from @Cam Schwartz:

Hi Elizabeth, two reputable GCs in my network focused on the greater Chicago area are (i) Real Restoration and (ii) Construction Cycle. Happy to connect you if you still have a need.


 Thank you! I appreciate the recs!

Post: Looking for GC recommendations for a fix and flip

Elizabeth Seiferth
Pro Member
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Carlsbad, CA
  • Posts 20
  • Votes 17
Quote from @Bob Stevens:
Quote from @Elizabeth Seiferth:

Hi all!

I am about to be under contract for a fix and flip in the near west suburbs of Chicago. Yes, I am putting it under contract site unseen but not to worry, I will get there before the options period expires. Wondering if anyone has recommendations for a GC for a residential fix and flip in the area?

Thank you,

Liz

 So how do you put an offer in without know the reno? So, you are tying the property up and may not close as you do not know the numbers. HMM all due respect, not cool to the seller. Seller is an idiot for even accepting your offer. You should always have it walked by your GC BEFORE you put an offer in. This could be a waste of time for everyone. I literally right now have my GC walking 4 props today, in one now. Once he tells me the number, I then make my offer. I will get at least 3 in contract today and close AS IS, ZERO contingencies in 10days /2 weeks. Get your team in place 1st. KNOW all the numbers 1st, then move forward 

All the best 

Hi @Bob Stevens

The property was actually under contract with a wholesaler who seemingly won't be able to perform as he committed. I did not lock up this deal as expected for various reasons and I don't believe the wholesaler found an end buyer. The deal had a very healthy spread and I buffered my budgetary numbers by a significant margin as there are always skeletons in the closet, with the intent of having a GC get there ASAP. While I am not a full time flipper *YET*, I have strong knowledge and experience in the architecture, design, and construction industry. Certainly, building a team first is the right way to do it, I think we can all agree there, though know others who buy site unseen via auctions, etc. 

Post: Looking for GC recommendations for a fix and flip

Elizabeth Seiferth
Pro Member
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Carlsbad, CA
  • Posts 20
  • Votes 17

Hi all!

I am about to be under contract for a fix and flip in the near west suburbs of Chicago. Yes, I am putting it under contract site unseen but not to worry, I will get there before the options period expires. Wondering if anyone has recommendations for a GC for a residential fix and flip in the area?

Thank you,

Liz

Post: Fix & flip funding

Elizabeth Seiferth
Pro Member
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Carlsbad, CA
  • Posts 20
  • Votes 17
Quote from @Brandon Jensen:

Happy Friday everyone! :)

I am looking for any tips on how to go about getting the green light on getting funded for my first of many fix & flips, I started a LLC a few months back and my credit score is pretty low as I've broke both my legs over a period of time.(healed now) I have someone with a 620 (not the best) credit score willing to help me get into a business loan to try and get around 50k funded so I can use a DSCR loan to get started as id need 20% down. So I was thinking if I could get a small business loan to get my 20% covered and then get into a DSCR loan and be off to the races. Any input, ideas or suggestions on how to get going? Im damned and determined to get going asap and am doing what I need to, to get my credit back up so this is all easier for future flips!

Truly thankful for this group of extremely helpful minds! 

Hi Brandon,

Congrats on the LLC! To my knowledge, most flippers use hard money loans as they are often buying distressed properties that will not meet the requirements of a conventional lender. I have not heard of anyone using a DSCR loan on a fix and flip, not to say it’s not possible!

Hard money loans typically come with higher interest rates (10-14%) and often have a balloon payment at the end of the term. They would require skin in the game (cash) and your analysis on a specific deal before funding 80-90% of the purchase price + construction costs. It would be worth connecting with hard money lenders on bigger pockets to learn more. 

As for your down payment, I can’t personally speak to a small business loan…you would just want to ensure you include those payments in your analysis and prepare to be repaying the small business loan and other holding costs during the flip. 

Good luck! 

Post: Is California a good place to start ?

Elizabeth Seiferth
Pro Member
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Carlsbad, CA
  • Posts 20
  • Votes 17
Quote from @Bailey Brown:

I’m very hesitant to obtain my first real estate investment being in California. What are some good strategies for the California market that work for people?  Would anyone recommend doing my first investment out of state?  


Hi there! It honestly depends on your strategy - LTR, STR, flip, wholesale, etc. the tenant / landlord laws in CA are in favor of the tenant which often scares people. But the appreciation you get on properties in California is worth it. Prices are high which makes it a tough market to enter but if you have the funding and find a solid deal, I don't see why you'd pass it up!