All Forum Posts by: Heather W.

Nice name, Heather! Welcome.

I've only dealt with the Atlanta Housing Authority. They do have a class for new landlords every other Wednesday. I don't think you can attend online, but if you have a property manager who has attended then you don't have go yourself.

This reminds me of those Facebook posts asking you describe yourself in just a few words.

I'm "Atlanta" and "Section 8."

Thanks for sharing!

Congratulations! I am excited to see you how prosperous you can make 2014.

Hey Chris,

I'm also newbie in Atlanta looking to supplement my retirement income. I just wanted to say I'm glad you're here.

Good luck!

@Rick Baggenstoss I'd like to stay ITP for now since this is where we live. I had a bad experience with a management company so I'm going to handle our houses myself for now. The newest one is just south of Cleveland Avenue near Browns Mill Road (Glenrose Heights?).

Do you have a lot of Section 8 tenants? What has been your experience? We have one so far. Famous last words, but I've been really pleased with the AHA so far.

@Jon Klaus I think I'm doing better with the new property. We're buying it for $40K with the same tenant in place for 3 years on Section 8 for $915/month. The surrounding streets seem quiet so we're cautiously optimistic.

@Linda M. We weren't looking for houses in 2012 so hopefully I won't know what I missed. I do agree that each neighborhood can have good and bad streets.

@Luis Montanez We had an application and deposit on our condo in 30306 without even showing it just because of the Lin/Inman/Grady schools. I've heard the Decatur city schools are good as well. I think the East Lake and Kirkwood areas get priority enrollment at Drew Charter. Of course, I don't know as much as I should about the Atlanta school system because we have our kid in private school.

@Jon Klaus

One is a 3/1 house is in East Atlanta. It might be worth $150-$160K with $115K owed. I rent it to a friend for $950/month. The other is a 2/2 condo on Ponce that might be worth $230-$240K renting for $1415/month.

@Joel Owens

Much to my husband's chagrin I'm not afraid (yet) of a little working class or poorer neighborhood.

I've been lurking for a couple of months, but with a closing in two weeks for our first real investment property I decided it was time to introduce myself.

My husband and I have been renting out the houses we each owned before we got married. We had been waiting for the market to appreciate and been happy with someone else paying our mortgages for us. The math has overcome my emotions, however, and I'm ready to get serious.

My long term goal is to supplement our retirement income in 20 years. My goals for 2014 are to build our reserves back up as well as making a decision about keeping our original two houses versus selling them to buy ones with better cash flow.

I'm thankful for the great information here and look forward to learning more!