All Forum Posts by: Nhi Nguyen

Hey James. 

Just a couple of quick points:

- first of all determine on the core nature of your business and pick a name that's inline with what it is. Flipping, investment, wholesale, etc...   All direct search word related names are probably taken. So you have to do a search and be creative, plus add some personal "touches" to make it both relevant and unique. Example: flip with James, James the invest pro, :). I know my examples suck, but you get the point :)

- as Jean said, you need to check to see if the name(s) in search is available both from your local state/county business registry, and also online/social media spaces as well (domain name). For example: MyCompanyName.com, Facebook.com/MyCompanyName, etc...

- I see lots of people here have multiple domains: 1 for buying properties, 1 for selling, 1 for flipping, other to attract general investors, Etc. it's something to think about. 

- also, if you find something cool, sometimes it's best to try to register the domain as quickly as you can. Because I heard there's auto scripting sites out there that watch for cool domain name searches and register them first to sell at higher price. Not sure how much of that is true though. :). 

Others will give more feed back soon I'm sure.

Btw, #3 is kinda cool. 

Good luck. 

Nhi 

Thanks Johnson for organizing it.  It was great meeting everyone and sharing too.  My wife was impressive of the number of people showed up and the vast variety of different styles/experience in RE investment.

Too bad we had to leave early because we couldn't ask the baby sisters to keep the kids longer than that.

Next time I'll definitely hang around. 

Some states (CA for one) limits contractors to only take 10% or $1000 for deposit, whichever less. 

I usually ask for the minimum of $1000 at acceptance of contracts, then another payment at demolition (which is the first day of work), say $4000 or $9000 :) to make it "even".  My clients never had any problem with that.  Some of them even write me the first check for the combination of the 1st 2 payments. 

As far as estimate goes, for smaller job, I know small (most likely single operator) specialized contractors usually just do it either on a piece of paper, or carbon-copy setup - all hand written.  If the job is small enough like electrical upgrade, copper pipe change-out, changing windows, etc..., going out the truck to get his numbers straight for a quick 10-15 minutes is typical.  But they should at least have some forms of pre-format contracts to begin with.  :)  Well, that's why they still a single operator.

http://www.ehow.com/info_8740066_much-deposit-should-give-contractor.html hahaha.

My opinion is you should only pay for things done in mile-stone.  I usually structure my contracts for clients like this:

• - 10% deposit (or $1000 whichever lower) - due at date of acceptance
• - 10% at first day of work for demolition and framing materials
• - X% due at completion of 2 bathrooms rough
• - Y% due at completion of kitchen rough frame, electrical, & plumbing
• - Z% due at completion of flooring,
• - ..... so on and so forth.
• - balance due at completion of punch list. (usually $5000-$10000, depends on total project cost).

I have guys come take dirt away for about $400-$450/load (10 wheeler), or $20/yard.  They would then level the yard for you free of charge.  Haven't used them to just do the leveling.

A couple of years ago I had to just push the dirt around a little bit before digging for foundation, I rented one and it costs a couple of hundred dollars for a day or so, if I remember correctly.  It was quite fun doing it.  I would hire though, if the yard is big.

In short, I'm second for asking for multiple quote.  But if it's quite a small job, just ask for quotes right on the phone if you can, to help save them a trip to your jobsite.  Be up front with them. 

Good luck.

woah Todd. Great job on the votes as well. And thanks for sharing. 

thanks Jared. 

Welcome Leonid.

You guys are great.  Can't wait to meet up in person tonight in San Jose to network and learn stuffs.

anyone else?  

Wraps or signs about RE investment related in general are OK. Not necessary a WeBuyHouses kinda ad. 

Thanks. 

and welcome to the site. 

would you be willing to learn from non-broker, but seasoned investors instead? I'm sure there's lots of people here with experiences but not a broker :). 

I'm for one open to learn from anyone who has anything I don't know yet, about RE investment.