All Forum Posts by: Matthew Whitaker

Hi everyone, "guy from Alabama" here. 

I understand your frustrations. The whole reason I started Evernest was because I was an investor and thought there was a better way to manage homes. Seems I had similar frustrations when I got started.

While we have many happy clients, if one is upset with us it drives me crazy. And when they are upset with us, it typically is our fault.

As @Spencer Sutton mentioned above (he and I have been building this business together for almost a decade now) we are going to look into all of these and address any issue, whether process or people, that needs to be addressed. 

One last thing to remember, property management is a HARD business. The whole reason for being is to deal with problems. If there weren't problems (a vacant house, a broken toilet, a late resident) we wouldn't have jobs. Our team works their tail off every day to solve these problems for our clients as quickly and cost effectively as possible. 

Thanks so much for everyone's feedback! I'll be following along to make sure these items are addressed.

Hi @Eddie Pietschmann, Evernest (located in Brentwood) is building an investor focused real estate brokerage. Since you are on this platform, I'm assuming you are interested in investing and helping investors and it might be a great fit.

Cheers!

Hi Raj, 

You're very wise to put a great team together prior to investing.  

1. The obvious answer to this is an agent and a property manager.  However, I think one of the most underutilized hires people don't think about is a local advisor who isn't paid on the transaction.  Meaning someone who is doing nothing but looking out for your best interests.  I'd certainly pay for this too.

2. We are big fans of . . . Calera, Roebuck, Chelsea, Forestdale, Pleasant Grove and Hueytown to get you started.

3. You can definitely work within that budget.  With some caveats.

I just got to spend some time with Chris and he knows his stuff.  I highly recommend connecting with him and learning from him.

For instance, he explained why the Denver market is not a bubble to @Spencer Sutton and me and I'm here to tell you . . . Denver is NOT a bubble.  Not even close.

Also, suggest subscribing to his Denver Real Estate Podcast.

m

Hey @Brady Bulmanski,

There are definitely plenty of leases out there and BP is a great place to find one.

My only advice is not to short cut the application portion of this.  It is so important to get the right person into your house.

Because finding a place to screen your tenant is a little bit of a pain, people often skip the step.  DON'T do it!

Best of luck on your first property!

mw

Hey Krystal,

I'd love to help.  Can you tell me what class the community is in?  A, B, C, D?

mw

There is a lot of great feedback here.

I've read through them and believe a trip to the market is the most important thing you can do.

You need to understand the market dynamics and meet people face to face.  There is just ZERO substitution for it.

I'd also consider coming back when you have your first property under contract.  I know, it's expensive; but I PROMISE you it is less expensive than a bad purchase.

I won't repeat any of the other feedback, just highlighting what I see as the best advice above.

I'm in TN and AL so happy to help any way I can.

mw

@Ben Satterfield I buy houses in a LLC. Happy to catch up for a call.

My advice, because I have kiddos that are 11 and 8 now, is to get started early.  Those little mouths become big mouths before you know it!

Message me if you'd like to catch up.

@Ben Satterfield, I started buying houses when I was 23 and now I'm 39.  So I've learned a little bit and lost a ton money and made a little bit too.

m

@Josh Marrs, you are going to love Chattanooga!

It's a great town for investing and has really taken off over the past 36 months.

What I find so interesting about the investing market is that you can find something for everyone.  Whether you are interested in Class A, B or C rentals or fix and flips, you can do it in Chattanooga.

Best of luck investing!