All Forum Posts by: Jay Orlauski

Hi everyone!! OK ... So I went ahead and made the Meetup Page - Its called Fresno  Bigger Pockets Meetup and here is the link: 

http://www.meetup.com/Fresno-Bigger-Pockets-Meetup...

I put up a poll so you can let me know what days works best for you - please join the group  and take the poll so I can get a meeting on the calendar as soon as possible. The page does not show up publicly till they approve it, but you can still join the group and become a member and take polls, post up suggestions, and make recommendations for a meeting places. Hope to see you all and many more there.  

Great job on the numbers - as Micheal said - major repairs around the corner could put a fly in the ointment if the unit is too old, but sounds like you have accounted for that. I am in the Fresno area and depending on where this is located and the age of it - it seems like the numbers work so far - if it is anywhere near the canals - you'll be required to get flood insurance also.  Good luck on your investment! please keep us up to date on your progress.

Jason - that sounds like a lot of fun - unfortunately I can't make that date as I am going to be out of state on that weekend for a family reunion with some members I haven't seen in over a decade. I'm sure anyone else who could make it would enjoy it. 

@Anmmar - I'd like to talk to you tomorrow if you have an opportunity - just a quick chat on the phone if you don't  mind - I was hoping to pick your mind  concerning ag appraisals on an unrelated subject. 

@Frank Patino - ok, I will keep that in mind as it seems that weekends are appealing to people

Kou and Rich - thanks for chiming in! Your feedback is motivating and it's good to see that there are other investors interested in getting together. 

I would consider a Saturday meeting if enough people showed interest - my goal is to try to find a time that would accommodate the most people I can so that we have good attendance.

ALSO - I've been thinking about some ideas for the group and something that I think would be awesome is to bring a new deal in each week to analyse - these would be real deals - really on the market and available for investing in. We could discuss all the pros and cons and run some numbers and talk about different ideas concerning how to finance it or develop it - If anyone in the group decides to get it or wants to partner up with someone else on it,  they will have an opportunity to do so. If not- we simply learn from it or even find a way to wholesale it - either way - the point is to get our synergistic energies flowing .. get creative ideas... and start thinking in new ways about investing that we may not have thought of or been exposed to.  I am looking forward to getting this kicked off.. and I will be in touch with some of you next week about getting together to discuss some ideas.    

Thanks Anmmar... I'll have to look into those.. do you know if they charge a fee to use those facilities? 

Wow!! I can't believe all the great responses I am getting already. I am definitely going to start one up here in Fresno. I have always wanted to get a group like this together and it appears that I am not the only one.   Thanks to everyone who is offering to assist with getting it kicked off - I will be calling on you to help me pick a good place and line up some discussions so we can hit the ground running.  

Thank you Jason -  that would be great. Perhaps we can work together to choose interesting topics.  

I was wondering if anybody would interested in joining a Bigger Pockets meetup group here in the Central Valley -  Specifically Fresno - I am surprised to see that there are very so few Bigger Pockets meetup groups around the country and would really like to start one locally up so we can get some like minded thinkers under the same roof at the same time.  

I am also trying to determine the best days and times to hold the meetings - many meetings I have seen held at night don't have as much participation cause members prefer to stay home with family in the evening -  except maybe on a Friday night - so looking for ideas of what time frame works best - typically , I prefer to have a lunch meeting so everyone is already  out and about , and it doesn't interfere with family time and typically have larger turn outs.  

If anyone in the area is interested, please let me know - I have been to a few investor groups in the past , but they only happen once a month and in the evening - I am looking to start up something during the day and have weekly get togethers where we can talk about whats new on the market , talk to local hard money lenders and builders, and just create an environment where investors can share ideas and resources. Raise your hand if you think you would be interested in showing up to a meeting like this. 

Sounds legit at first glance. But remember , just like any flip , you need to get in cheap -  but additionally with land, you have to have the fortitude to hold on to it until it sells - which with vacant land can be a very long time if its not priced right. Also, because most land is not financeable, your going need cash buyers too. Iv'e been thinking of some land behind my property that already has approved plans for an 11 unit multiplex -  it's been sitting there for 5 years now ( at least)  - I know I would be stuck with it though unless I could manage to connect with some investors who can finance the 11 unit multiplex. I suppose if you could get it cheap enough to still sell for below market - you may have good shot - I've learned in real estate to not  ever dismiss any potential deals - just when you say it can't be done - along comes someone who has made millions doing it. 

Just read your profile  - excellent story. I have a feeling you will do well in this industry - you've already taken the first step of determining that this is what you want to do and you followed it up by connecting with the most dynamic investors forum on the internet.