All Forum Posts by: Gabriel Graumann

Hi Greg,

Welcome to the community! Congrats on becoming a broker as well, I believe it will serve your investing goals better than remaining unlicensed despite what I've heard others share. I do both and have for 17+ years now in the Puget Sound area, plenty of opportunity. Happy to connect, toss ideas around, and develop a strategy that matches with your goals.

Hi Jess,

If you mean the flip I have posted in Bothell, no, I sourced that one off-market and structured something that worked for both the seller and I. I'd be happy to discuss this one more with you to hopefully help you get more deals if you'd like. There are always ways to find deals even in tight markets.

Hi Colton,

Congrats on saving money and looking into your options while in your early 20's, many people aren't as proactive as you at that point of their life. I both live and invest in Snohomish county, and as you know, it's a large county. If the intention is to ultimately rent out the property, a key principle to follow is buying an investment where the people already are, not in fringe areas that get hit harder in softer market cycles or have to compete on rents when things get soft. Look in the communities that place people in closer proximity to great schools, higher paying jobs, and decent amenities. One single family investor I've watched grow a large portfolio emphasizes the schools above most other factors, because renters (ie. parents) will always try to hard to keep kids in schools for segments of their life, but will commute to work and amenities. This limits turn-over in your rental, which in turn reduces your expenses for cleaning up a space between tenants.

Good luck, happy to connect more if you have additional questions.

Mary,

I agree with the previous comments. What I would ask is what your goals as an investor/broker are? Regardless of the numbers on this deal, are you looking to learn the industry of commercial investment deals, how to analyze them, comp them against others, find additional deals, etc.? If the answer to the above is "yes", then I'm happy to talk with you about the process and point you in the right direction. You've got to look beyond the fee of one or two or three deals, especially when the deal is not in your area of expertise. The value you bring to a client/buyer is found in your understanding of the deal, why its better than other available options, how the deal works, pointing out the value-add opportunity, determining the exit strategy, etc. Aim for providing true value to potential buyers and the fees will take care of themselves.

Hi Natalie,

Sounds like several have shared similar answers to your creative lending questions. The shortest summary that I believe works well in all circumstances is: run the numbers using each lending option available for the subject investment and see which provides the greatest opportunity with the least amount of risk. That's how I analyze each deal I'm considering, there is likely one loan type that lines up most ideally with your goals, budget, closing timeline, and seller requirements. Choose that one. Happy to connect if you still have questions.

Gabe

Hi Chase,

As the other 3 members have already stated, you're in a good position for your age and ahead of the curve for sure. Before I'd give any advice it would be helpful to talk through and understand your personal life and investing goals, as answers to those will direct any advice I or others should share. I live in the Mill Creek area and I'd be happy to grab coffee and connect with you if you're still looking to connect with fellow investors. Send me a message or reply and let's connect.

Gabe Graumann

Hi Nett,

Great goal. Plenty of opportunities if you did for them. Might take working with a wholesaler if you're trying to stay under the $300K price point and want a value-add opportunity. As a broker in the local market I can share that finding a true "deal" on the MLS in our current market cycle is rare, so either working with a broker willing to assist in sourcing an off-market deal or you personally attempt to source an off-market deal will typically net you a higher return opportunity for your price point. Case in point, I'm closing Monday on my latest flip property in Shoreline just 1 block north of the Seattle city limit boundary line near 175th St., and I was able to get a rehab property for $350K off-market when the same listed property would have cost me $400-425K. Just sharing this to say it's possible to find a deal if you're willing to dig. My focus is Seattle and north, so I don't pay as much attention to the south end unless I have a client headed that way.