All Forum Posts by: Sam Erickson

I just finished painting a whole house. I purchased a Graco airless spray gun as I plan to use it on many projects to come. I would suggest working from the ground up.

I would clean up trim, caulk, fill holes etc and spray this first. Make sure to do good prep work, it makes all the difference. Also at least 2-3 coats. You will want to mask off all the trim, I would then paint the walls, tape the walls off and do the ceiling last. After ceiling is done remove all tape. I could ceiling doing the ceiling first because most likely that will be white but then when you go to do the walls I haven't found a good way to tape off a ceiling.

I'm by no means in expect but this is what I have found to be easiest.

Is there a reason you want to paint the wall and ceiling a different color? If you can I would suggest picking a nice neutral color that isn't to dark that you can paint the walls and ceiling. This will save you a TON of time. You will only then have to tape the trim off. I did this on my last paint job and when we went to sell we didn't get any negative comments about the walls and ceiling being the same color.

Good luck

Hey everyone, so I came across was appears to be a solid investment opportunity. My hurdle, like most is capital on hand for down payment. Below is an overview of the deal.

9-unit, 3 story brick apartment building. Building is 100% leased at $750/per unit/ per month. If asking price was paid, assuming a 20% down payment and the 50% rule for expenses the property would cash flow $2,198/month.

I'm also open to other creative financing my fellow BP members have used that you think might work here.

Cheers,

Sam

Thanks for the replies, What would be my first steps for attracting agents? Is there a common place that brokers post openings for agents? Or is my best shot doing online advertising, i.e. facebook, google, and just listing my splits and hope I get calls?

Thanks

Your correct with the type signs they produce. As I stated in my first comment their main business is store frontage signs, i.e. McDonald's signs. They will produce all types of signs though even yard signs. Like I also stated though, that not being their main business they probably can't produce the quantity needed in this situation for a competitive price.

@Joshua Hawkins

Greenfield is actually home to one of the largest sign production companies in the country, Everbrite. That being said they do a lot in the area of exterior signage for store frontage. Though I'm sure they would produce the signs you need they might be too large to be able to do it and they still be affordable.

I have found that the best deal is using an online sign service such as supercheapsigns.com, etc. The production time might take a little longer then someone local but I haven't been able to beat their price and through their proof checking system my signs have always correct.

Hi Everyone,

I'm a Wisconsin broker and currently operate my realty company to just do my own deals. I do the occasionally buy or sell for family or friends but for the most part just broker my own deals.

My market I operate in is really heating up right now with a lot of buyers and sellers out there. I would like to bring on some agents to capitalize on this.

What are my first steps in taking my company from just myself to adding agents and begin generating leads?

What are things agents are looking for when it comes to joining a realty company?

Do agents like a larger split in exchange for broker services? Or would they be drawn to a situation where they keep the majority of their commission but I as the Broker offer minimum services to them?

Any other comments or suggestions are appreciated.

Cheers,

Sam

Hey @Adam Johnson

I'm a fellow UW-Whitewater Graduate as well. I finished up there back in 2010. I was in your same position. I however was recently married and choose to go the single family house route, and I'm now fighting to find the capital to get units. Looking back at it if I could do it again and I would try to get as many units I could based on the owner occupant down payment requirements.

Its great that a duplex will pay your mortgage but I have found that the lower owner occupant down payment requirements is of the most value. If you can find a 4 plex or even 8-plex that cash flows already and that you can purchase with just 3-3.5% down that could really push you off to a fast start. Look around at what is out there for multi-unit buildings and what you can afford based on a 3.5% down payment. If the property is cash flowing already there shouldn't be much of a worry about making the mortgage payment either.

Student rentals is also a great option right in Whitewater. I still own a rental out there that I bought when I was attending school there.

Good luck and feel free to message me if you have questions or would like to talk further.

I would agree it makes me a little nervous as well. However I'm not so much nervous about having agents under me but more about being able to supply them the guidance and leads they need to be successful. With my main use of my license being to broker my own deals I haven't had a need to really cultivate a client list or create lead generators.

This is way when I look to expand I'll look for agents that are strong on their own and won't necessarily be looking to me for leads. My goal is to be a boutique firm that services the residential RE investment clientele. I envision this being done through bringing together a handful of knowledgeable well connected agents that already operate in that circle.

Thanks for the heads up about the meet up. Unfortunatly I won't be able to make it this Saturday. I'll be sure to add Milwaukee Meet Up to my alerts though.

Hi Everyone,

My name is Sam Erickson and am a RE investors based in the Milwaukee area. I'm new to Bigger Pockets and wanted to reach out.

I've been investing in RE since 2008. I'm a Landlord, Broker, Rehaber, and General Contractor. I'm always looking for good rental opportunities as well as rehab projects.

Below are some things I'm looking to do in the near further:

Create investment partnerships for rehabbing property. I currently rehab on my own as well as with one other investment group. Looking to create more partnerships for rehab projects.

Expand my Realty company. I currently broker all my own deals as well as some for other area rehabers. I'm looking to add sales agents with the intent to serve the residential RE Investing community rather then the home buyers.

I'm still working on my profile so if you think our interest align with some of what I said above give me a shout. I also welcome comments to just say "Hi". I look forward to using BP more to come and using it's recources to expand my RE Investing knowldgege.

Cheers,

Sam