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All Forum Posts by: THANG BUI

THANG BUI has started 12 posts and replied 24 times.

Post: Rent out part of primary residence 4 bed 4 bath

THANG BUIPosted
  • Investor
  • Huntington Beach, CA
  • Posts 29
  • Votes 1

I'll be purchasing a 4 bed 4 bath and plan to rent out at least 2 bedrooms. 

If I rent out 2 beds/baths, then do I get to offset my rental income using exactly half of all housing expenses (mortgage, HOA, utilities, etc)?

As far as depreciation, do I depreciation 50% of the property? Do I also get to depreciation furniture and shared items purchased in common areas?

I am in a higher tax bracket and want to offset all of the income, if possible. I just want to make sure I do this correctly from the get-go.

Thanks!

Post: Would I be able to convert this kitchen to an open design?

THANG BUIPosted
  • Investor
  • Huntington Beach, CA
  • Posts 29
  • Votes 1

For future tenant turnovers, I've been thinking of converting these kitchens to a modern open design. One problem is that space is rather limited. Currently, the space for the fridge is against the left wall in the picture below. I would like to knock down this left wall and place an island, but where would the fridge go? Any ideas on how I can convert this space to something more beautiful?

Thanks!

Post: TINY houses... Fad or here to stay??

THANG BUIPosted
  • Investor
  • Huntington Beach, CA
  • Posts 29
  • Votes 1

I see the appeal in tiny houses. 

I graduated from pharmacy school a few years ago and I seriously do not know how I would be able to save up for a down payment on a house in Southern California. I'm currently living with my parents but it's hard to pay down my loans AND save at the same time.

One alternative is to someday move to a cheaper state. However, the thought of getting a tiny house sounds like a good fit for me.

Post: Own 4-plex free and clear. Keep or 1031 exchange?

THANG BUIPosted
  • Investor
  • Huntington Beach, CA
  • Posts 29
  • Votes 1

We own a 4-unit townhome that is appraised for around $1.2 million. 

I just ran the numbers through a calculator and realized that this property returns very little for the amount of equity we have. 

Monthly rent: $6800 ($81600 annual)

Vacancy: 5%

Property tax: $12000/yr

Insurance: $1550

Maintenance & Repairs + Cap Ex: $5000

Utilities (water, gardening, trash, electricity): $4570

Total cash in pocket at end of year: $54000

Cash ROI = 4.53%!! This seems pretty terrible to me!

Should I 1031 exchange this to a larger commercial property? I'm thinking of a medium-sized multifamily (20 units??)

Post: Advice Needed, Lots of Equity but unsure of next step

THANG BUIPosted
  • Investor
  • Huntington Beach, CA
  • Posts 29
  • Votes 1

Thank you for the responses everyone,

@Zach Liu

 Both my mother and I want to expand and invest. 

@Robert Leonard 

I forgot to mention our rental income

4-plex 1: Rent: $6800 per month, $81600 per year. 

4-plex 2: Rent: $6800 per month, $81600 per year.

It's hard for me to calculate cash flow ince we refinanced recently to a lower rate recently. Ballpark is $30000 cash after all expenses and mortgage payments.

@Darlee Sill

I agree that it's nice to have these rentals, however, we would like to expand. However, according to my CPA Amanda Han, if I put my name on the title and my mom passes away, the taxes would not "carry forward" upon her death (at least for my 50% of ownership). I plan to remove myself from the title on all properties in the future.

Post: Advice Needed, Lots of Equity but unsure of next step

THANG BUIPosted
  • Investor
  • Huntington Beach, CA
  • Posts 29
  • Votes 1

Hello everyone,

My mother and I are considering our next move but do not know the best way.

Properties owned:

4-plex: Value $1.15 million. $530,000 owed at 4.25%, $4000 monthly payments over 15 years. Title: Mother and myself

4-plex 2: Value $1.15 million. Owned free and clear. Title: Only my mother is on the title.

SFR Primary Residence: Value: $900k. $605,000 owed at 4.125%, $3300 monthly payments over 30 years. Title: Mother and myself

HELOC:

Can pull out $83,000 on primary residence - currently at zero balance (prime + 1%)

The problem:

I see a lot of untapped potential in 4-plex 2, which we own free and clear. We attempted to get a line of credit with Wells Fargo but was denied because my mother's income is low ($50,000/year). 

I'm personally high income earner ($100k), however, I am not on the title of the 4-plex 2. 

The question:
What is the best way for us to utilize that equity? Should I add myself to the title then get a line of credit? Should we cash out? If we cash out at 60% value, we can get $805,000. However, that amount of cash scares me into inaction. I worry about blowing all of my mother's retirement assets, even though my mother would like to invest this equity.

What would you do in my situation?

Thank you for all of your sage advice!

Post: Real Buffalo New York Numbers

THANG BUIPosted
  • Investor
  • Huntington Beach, CA
  • Posts 29
  • Votes 1

Thank you for the responses. I have contacted Michael Sherwood to get his opinions. Thank you for the suggestions Paul, I tried searching those two associations but it seems as if Bufffalo does not have too many active investors in those programs.

Any other Buffalo investors able to provide any real numbers? I would be extremely grateful.

Thanks,

Michael (Thang) Bui

Post: Real Buffalo New York Numbers

THANG BUIPosted
  • Investor
  • Huntington Beach, CA
  • Posts 29
  • Votes 1

Hello everyone,

I am  a newbie Buffalo investor and I was wondering if there are any Buffalo investors here that can provide me with real numbers (income and expenses) for your Buffalo properties? I need to see what the real costs are so that I can analyze my deals. If possible, could you include the general location of your building, purchase price, and year purchased as well?

I would be eternally grateful,

Mike Bui

Post: Cash for keys? How to draft offical documents

THANG BUIPosted
  • Investor
  • Huntington Beach, CA
  • Posts 29
  • Votes 1

So I'm dealing with a nightmare situation right now with my tenant. She cannot afford the place and subletted to 3 other people. One of those people is causing problems and I want to remove him. Unfortunately he wont leave. I tried to get the tenant to hire a lawyer to evict but she cannot afford.

This leaves me with two options, evict the whole unit. Or offer cash for keys. I was going to offer his monthly rent of $300 to have him leave by the end of the month. I will change out the locks but I heard he has a tendency of re-entering through the windows.

Is it possible for me to draft a document that he signs stating that he no longer lives there? I want to make sure that after I pay him $300 when he leaves that he will not re-enter the place.

T

Post: How do I get rid of a subtenant

THANG BUIPosted
  • Investor
  • Huntington Beach, CA
  • Posts 29
  • Votes 1

Thank you for the response Ned. I called an attorney and they recommended that I file an eviction for breach of lease. I can evict the subtenant but later decide to allow the tenant to stay... Wish me luck