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All Forum Posts by: Harvey Levin

Harvey Levin has started 0 posts and replied 181 times.

Post: Mixed Use Commerical Property For Sale - Fully Occupied

Harvey Levin
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Posts 189
  • Votes 149

I am interested in learning more about this. Also what is the reason the financing did not go through 

thanks

Post: Duplex outside Indianapolis - Ridiculously high heating bill

Harvey Levin
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Posts 189
  • Votes 149

1st step is to make sure that the electricity is rated for having electric heat by the electric company. If at one time the house had gas heat it may still be rated as gas. There is a significant price decrease in the price per watt overall with electric heat.

2nd would be to check the type of baseboard heat. A cheap heater may not be very efficient. Also, because most baseboard heaters do not have fans they only heat a very small area causing the tenants to set them very high and the heaters cannot keep up. 

3rd is to check the insulation in the attic and sidewalls. Depending on the age of the house, even if "fully renovated" it may not have any or enough insulation. In Indianapolis C to B class neighborhoods I have rarely seen insulation upgraded on rentals especially doubles that have never been owner-occupied.  

4th air gaps,  poorly fitting windows, and doors can be easily corrected with proper caulk and weatherstripping (usually). Single-pane windows should have storm windows which help a little.

5th check if the electric company can put the house on budget payments. While it will not reduce the actual cost it will help with the monthly cash flow.

I am curious if this was a single-family house converted into a double. If so there are other things to check. 

Post: Home Inspector Recommendations Needed

Harvey Levin
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Posts 189
  • Votes 149

I use ALLCHECK Inspections for a pre inspection on any house I sell. They are great to work with 

Post: Starting with section 8

Harvey Levin
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Posts 189
  • Votes 149
Mike, I am the longest S8 landlord in Indianapolis. My 1st was in 1985
until last June I owned and operated the #1 PM company in Indianapolis. I also have consulted numerous local officials as well as HUD in DC. I have been a speaker for HUD on the topic of landlord issues with local Housing Authorities.  A couple of key points. 1 there is no national fixed process. Each HA uses HUD guidelines but has the ability to modify the process upon HUD approval. 2. many landlords do not fully understand  the ins and ours of the program. They operate S8 management the exact same way as non S8. This leaves a lot of money on the table and causes great frustration for landlords. Over my 44 years I learned how to maximize my profits and deal with the frustration very effectively. I encourage you to contact Indianapolis to get a copy of the HAP ( the contract between landlord and  Housing Authority .  Also you can go to my old website harveyproperty.com or YouTube and watch my videos.  I still manage my 60 +/- houses ( I am slowly selling them) and have made a lot more money than I made on my non section houses. Mine are all long term holds because that is the benefit of S8.
Good Luck.

Post: Anyone doing Sec 8 rental in Indianapolis?

Harvey Levin
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Posts 189
  • Votes 149

.

Post: Anyone doing Sec 8 rental in Indianapolis?

Harvey Levin
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Posts 189
  • Votes 149

I have over 50. DM me 

Post: Section 8 in Indiana?

Harvey Levin
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Posts 189
  • Votes 149
Quote from @Sam Epperson:

thanks for the reply! if the HUD's FMR for the area is $1300, but the current landlord is only charging $750, what's the likelihood that an increase to the 1300 rate is approved?

 Each housing authority is different. In Indy you can raise to fair market rent. However the tenant must sign the rent increase request. Also increase can only be once each 12 months. Some housing authority have additional rules on timing

Post: 1031 rules 3 properties?

Harvey Levin
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Posts 189
  • Votes 149
Quote from @Dave Foster:

LOL. @Bill B., no way "everything".  But I do know that the 45 day period is the greatest causer of angst.  @Joshua Jones, if your QI hasnt already given you these tips then take heart.  

1. Treat the 45 day period not so much as an "identification period". but more as an "I gotta get this thing under contract" period.  You can't change the list after day 45 so you need to work as quickly during the 45 day period as possible.

2. If you hadn't closed your sale already you could have used the time before you closed your sale to also search and get under contract.  You can be under contract for your new property before your old property closes.  you just have to close the sale before closing the purchase.  Many of our clients will use the 30-60 days before sale to get their new property locked up.

3. Identify more than three - You can identify more than three as long as the total value of the list is no more than 200% of your sales price.  So if you're buying same price point as your sale you could identify 4 and it could work.

4. If the tax is huge then put a Delaware Statutory Trust on your list as a back up.  These can absorb your exchange and keep the tax deferred.  When they sell in 2-4 years you can 1031 back into bricks and mortar if the market has corrected (another choice of several of our clients).

5. If you hadn't already sold your old property you could have done a reverse exchange as @Jake Andronico and others suggested.  So you lock up your new property before you sell your old property.

6. If you can't find a good replacement then don't turn in a list and pay the tax - no one ever went broke paying tax on profit - it just feels like it.

The 45 days is so real that I actually put an entire section in my book on mitigating timing issues.


@Dave Foster who do you like for a DST

Post: Does previous owners family have legal standing?

Harvey Levin
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Posts 189
  • Votes 149
Quote from @Sam Shinn:
Quote from @Allan Smith:

If you don't have a warranty deed with title insurance you'll have to play ball with these guys. They could be right. Get an attorney to look at it. Use the attorney at the title office you like best.


 I'm confused, before she passed she knew property had been sold in tax sale and did not redeem thus a deed was issued. Now children can claim after death they didn't know? Only came forth because ejectment notice was left at door. 

It might depend on if owner died prior to the redemption period was over and possibly if prior to your quite title action 

Post: Does previous owners family have legal standing?

Harvey Levin
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Posts 189
  • Votes 149

Check With the attorney who provided the quiet tile or the title company that took care of your certificate. Without having the facts it sounds like there was not proper notice to the estate.