All Forum Posts by: Gregg Pauly

@Don Spafford I would greatly appreciate any MF meetup info you would be willing to share.  I’d be happy to provide an email if you’d be kind enough to PM me.  Thanks so much!

@Scott S.  I'm hoping some of your go-getter attitude will rub off on me pretty soon.  It appears that you have experience in the multi family business and I was wondering 1) what you would attribute your successful meetings to that enable you to have an agent present all their pocket listings to you and 2) if you are doing your deals solo or with other investors involved?  Also, I really like your comment about all your first meetings being formal...first impressions.  Thanks so much for your input, Kyle.     

@Shawnda Velador   That's a great idea. I like the idea of getting exposure to different markets, experience talking to brokers and learning to work with financials all at the same time - maybe even finding a deal. Thanks so much, Shawnda.

@Kevin Hunter  Great idea.  We all start somewhere and I don't have an issue with being honest about my situation.  As far as connecting with a local broker, my concern is that my area is pricey (SF Bay Area) and, until I learn to analyze apartment financials, I don't feel as though I can know if even thinking about investing in my area is something I can think about.  Going two - three hours out from my location might be a better bet.  Also, along the lines of what step to take first, I feel as though I need to know what I'm talking about (markets, financials, etc) before I start using a broker's time.  As you so aptly put it, "they will get bored of pushing [me] info, after time, [if] it does not look like you are ever going to do a deal".  And, so I'm not spinning anyone's wheels, I need to get investors on board to reasonable consider what deals might work.  It's all doable - a bit of a catch-22 though.  I know I'll get to where I want to be, and while on this journey I need to be patient, methodical and, at the same time, not get bogged down by analysis paralysis.  Thanks so much for your thoughts...it's keeping me headed in the right direction.

@Shawnda Velador   That's a great idea.  I like the idea of getting exposure to different markets, experience talking to brokers and learning to work with financials all at the same time - maybe even finding a deal.  Thanks so much, Shawnda.

@Jonathan Johnson  At the moment I'm using an Excel spreadsheet that Michael Blank developed called the "Syndicated Deal Analyzer" (cost = $129).   I like it because I see in real time how different financial strategies can play out as I adjust the numbers.   If you go to www.themichaelblank.com, you'll find a bunch of great information, all regarding apartment building investing.  Hope this helps!

@Scott S.

@Mike Dymski  You hit the nail on the head, Mike - regarding the 'dilemma'.  Funny enough, it was hearing Michael Blank on a podcast that advanced my thought process from SFRs to apartments (apartments were to be further down the road for me, prior to hearing Michael).  I love the idea of finding the high-flow brokers, checking out their websites and analyzing the memorandums.  I'm going to go through loopnet more thouroughly as well.  Thanks so much for the thoughts!

@Lynn Fujihara  I'll check out Zillow - I hadn't thought about that for apartments.  I appreciate the heads up on financing.  The financials for apartments is something I find interesting - determining how to make sure the numerics fit the goal of the investment.  Thank you for your input.

@Mark Whittlesey  Have you found that a broker found on loopnet would be willing to provide property info to a new guy who does not have financial backing yet - or, is having a 'script' / talking the talk enough to get info?  Thanks for your help!

@Eugene Beard  Will do, Eugene.  Just now beginning to get a better sense of apartment investing.

@Chris Tracy  Thank you for the info Chris.  I would really appreciate being able to see the scripts you mentioned. I have no problem talking to brokers and would prefer to not sound too much like the newbie I am.  Thank you!

Hey there everyone.   I am interested in and have just begun to study how to get started in commercial apartment investing.  I want to practice property / deal analysis as much as possible to 1) learn how to accurately (and eventually, quickly) analyze a deal a broker sends my way, 2) learn terms, formulas and nuances of deal analysis to be able to competently speak with brokers and investors, 3) confidently discuss with potential investors why working with me will be beneficial to and help further their goals and 4) just not fudge the whole deal up.  

Having said all that, I am hoping for suggestions on how to obtain financials, rent rolls and other pertinent commercial apartment info for as many properties as possible for the sake of practicing analysis.  

I have considered contacting commercial agents in the area(s) I may be interested in.  However, my understanding is that a commercial agent won't be likely to provide info for people who are not financially able to potentially do a deal.  I am definitely not in that category at this point.  

I've checked out loopnet.com but did not see how I could extract pertinent property info without a (costly) membership fee.

I have a deal analyzer I will be using and I am now looking for the data to plug in.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Hi Ricky.  I too am interested in multi-family and just came across Michael Blank who specializes in apartment building investing himself as well as teaching.  He has a website: www.TheMichaelBlank.com, a podcast and online resources.  I've looked him up on BP and he's been favorably reviewed and recommended.  I've learned a lot so far from his information and believe you'd find it helpful.  A book I've seen recommended is "The Complete Guide to Buying and Selling Apartment Buildings" by Steve Berges.  As for other online resources, www.neighborhoodscout.com offers "Investor-grade insights for every location" (i.e. market data, price appreciation, rental rates, vacancy rates, etc).  I have not had a chance to use it myself yet and have seen it recommended on the BP forums.  Hope some of this helps.  Good luck!