Skip to content
×
PRO
Pro Members Get Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
$0
TODAY
$69.00/month when billed monthly.
$32.50/month when billed annually.
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here
Pick markets, find deals, analyze and manage properties. Try BiggerPockets PRO.
x
All Forum Categories
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

All Forum Posts by: Gary Crawford

Gary Crawford has started 4 posts and replied 27 times.

Post: Hudson Valley market

Gary CrawfordPosted
  • Investor
  • Las Vegas, NV
  • Posts 41
  • Votes 173

Hey guys, I know it has been a little while for comments here. Wanted to get some insight on the market. Is anyone actively buying rentals or flips in here?

Post: Area to Invest in Rental property within 90 min of NYC?

Gary CrawfordPosted
  • Investor
  • Las Vegas, NV
  • Posts 41
  • Votes 173

I agree with Al above. Another great spot is throughout Hudson Valley, NY and a little bit upstate depending on your travel tolerance. 

Post: How I went from ~100k to Millionaire in 6 Months

Gary CrawfordPosted
  • Investor
  • Las Vegas, NV
  • Posts 41
  • Votes 173

Sorry for lack of responses on here. I don't want to create any arguments. I would be more than happy to help anyone out who has not reached out yet. Just send me a message and I can clarify whatever you would like. Thank you and hope all is well out there in the world. 

Post: How I went from ~100k to Millionaire in 6 Months

Gary CrawfordPosted
  • Investor
  • Las Vegas, NV
  • Posts 41
  • Votes 173
Thanks Jay! I've seen your expertise all over BP so I appreciate the reply. A fellow "Vegas Local.
"Originally posted by @Jay Hinrichs:

nice work employing multiple strategies  being the bank is a great feeling no doubt.

Post: How I went from ~100k to Millionaire in 6 Months

Gary CrawfordPosted
  • Investor
  • Las Vegas, NV
  • Posts 41
  • Votes 173

Initially, when reading the title of the article, this sounds like a get rich quick scheme or simply too good to be true. I will keep this short and concise, but most of what I have done can be replicated by almost anyone with some work ethic and proper direction. December 26, I closed on my first rental property in Columbus Ohio, it was a C Class Duplex.

33,500 Purchase Price
80,000 Appraisal
1225 Rent

My partner and I instantly had 40k each in equity after putting about 17k each. From there we purchased a 5-unit building for $111k via Lease Purchase Agreement (Property stayed in seller’s name, gave a 10k down payment and continued making payments on the property. We bumped rents up and are currently going through one eviction. I would say we can sell for about 250-275k right now after renovations and rent increases. That leaves each of us with 80k in equity. I won’t be breaking down each deal but I was able to replicate on 5 other duplexes and daycare in Columbus, as well as 2 Single Family and a Condo in Vegas.

Now, 2 weeks ago I was really stressing while in Europe having to worry about evictions, loans, toilets leaking, etc. I decided the best idea was to liquidate some of these problem properties. After some deep thought, I realized the best way to liquidate was to become the bank on these deals and offer owner financing or subject to depending on the deal. Now I will give you one example: I purchased one property for 120K using a hard money loan, did some light renovations, handled an eviction, and agreed to sell it to one of the tenants with a 60K renovation budget. The agreed sale price is 400K, I will keep the mortgage under my name at $1200 and collect $2400 per month, cash flowing a little over $1000 per month and 200K of equity at the agreed purchase price.

Adding up my portion of the equity in the properties and my liquid cash totals to $1,105,000 putting in the net worth of 1 million + at the age of 26. Now I think 1mm is great and all, but this number doesn’t have significant value to me. My monthly cash flow right now is just under 5k and I would really like to be at 8k by the end of this year and 12k per month a year from now. Things seem to be scaling much quicker now so I wouldn’t doubt if I blow these goals out of the water. I can proudly say I do not wake up each morning thinking about going to “work.” This isn’t arrogance, this is just the lifestyle I have been able to develop through real estate.

I have set a goal for myself to do at least 1 week a month traveling, to force myself out of the rat race, which is so easy to get caught up in. Hopefully, I can double that number and work remotely.

Feel free to connect,

GC3

Investment Info:

Single-family residence buy & hold investment in Las Vegas.

Purchase price: $175,000
Cash invested: $10,000
Sale price: $300,000

I purchased a 7-Bed SFR House Hack with 10K Down in Las Vegas. 6 bedrooms were rented for the following ($650 garage, $450 small bedroom, $600 large bedroom, $500 bedroom w/private bath, $525 large bedroom, $450 small bedroom)
Note: All prices include $50 fixed cost for utilities. Subtract my monthly expenses + mortgage = $1750/month cash flow. Factoring in vacancies, the total generated cash flow was $35,450 over the course of those 21 months less the $31k in renovations = $144,450 Profit.

What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?

I decided to rent a room in a 6-bed house for $400/month when I first moved to Las Vegas. After living in the house for a couple of months, I couldn't help but calculate how much my landlord was making every month charging everyone $400-600 per month. I was disappointed that most of the multifamilies I saw on Zillow and Redfin were in rougher neighborhoods, so I knew I had to replicate this bedroom rental model.

How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

I found it on Zillow after a price drop from $189,900 to $185,000 for a 7 Bed/5 Bath, 2426 sqft. house. I offered 170k, and they countered at 175k with 5k in closing costs to the buyer. The deal was done. It appraised for 186k during closing.

How did you finance this deal?

I purchased this property with a conventional loan with about 10k down (my entire savings) at 4.35% interest rate. My monthly PITI was $996/month.

How did you add value to the deal?

I ripped up the old laminate floors, a layer of carpet under that throughout the house, and linoleum flooring under that as well. I put down luxury vinyl planking throughout the house and 4-inch base, except for the kitchen and the converted garage that already had tile. I remodeled 3 of the 5 bathrooms but waited to do the master bathroom until I had enough money (where I was living). I also had the kitchen remodeled by one of my contractor referrals 8-9 months in, replaced the AC after a year.

What was the outcome?

I have signed a Lease Purchase Agreement with another local house hacker looking to do the same thing for $300,000 purchase price (60k down, 80k at refinance). So that leaves me $140k in equity at the time of purchase, $35,450 rental cash flow, less the $31k in renovations = $144,450 Profit. Since that house was my primary residence and will be recorded after 2 years of ownership, that 144k will not get hit with capital gains. I am receiving an additional $500 per month until refinance.

Lessons learned? Challenges?

Hire good contractors and always anticipate an additional 15-20% in expenses. I was essentially using the funds from my W-2 job to pay for the labor on the rehab and putting the materials on my credit card. I would have had more reserves saved.
The biggest challenge with the 7-bed house hack was sharing one kitchen. The maid came monthly to clean up, but the kitchen was constantly needed to be cleaned and at the end of the day. Setting proper expectations of cleanliness and noise was hard.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

My real estate agent (also my roommate at the time) always went the extra mile to help with the process. He was just as excited as me and actually moved into the house afterward! We put in 10 offers on different properties and finally got the 10th offer accepted.

@Rudy Estrada Great hearing your story. I don't think I've actually ever heard the whole thing, even when we've met in person. Good stuff and it will only get better for you!

Post: How I made 144K in 21 Months House Hacking

Gary CrawfordPosted
  • Investor
  • Las Vegas, NV
  • Posts 41
  • Votes 173
I like your style Suly! That is awesome. Where do you plan to purchase next?
Originally posted by @Suly B.:

@Gary Crawford High Five from one house hacker to another!

I wouldn't do it any other way. My boyfriend and I are looking to continue to house hack together, and ideally, we would alternate house hacks between the both of us (ie. I buy one and then he buys one) to maximize our ability to grow our portfolio over time and achieve financial independence sooner. 

Post: How I made 144K in 21 Months House Hacking

Gary CrawfordPosted
  • Investor
  • Las Vegas, NV
  • Posts 41
  • Votes 173

@Gus Kazek I had a realtor friend set up the auto searches to send me the criteria I was looking for and then I personally did the same with Zillow and Redfin.

Post: How I made 144K in 21 Months House Hacking

Gary CrawfordPosted
  • Investor
  • Las Vegas, NV
  • Posts 41
  • Votes 173

@Caleb Landis let me know. I’ll gladly be a tenant!