All Forum Posts by: Ali Ahmed
Ali Ahmed has started 11 posts and replied 36 times.
Post: Looking to network with fellow out of state investors!

- San Jose, CA
- Posts 41
- Votes 9
Originally posted by @Jonathan James Look:
@Sharon Tseung @Taj Olmedo @Minh MV Vu @Son D.
Hi All,
Sorry I haven't been watching this thread, but I am located in Berkeley, CA and am an out of state investor currently in Indianapolis and Oklahoma city with my first two single family properties.
I'm looking at a value-add multi-family next and if you would like to connect, I do have a Google Group going for those of us in the East Bay/SF area, and others are welcome to join. The goal of the email list is to share notes, have virtual meetups and to arrange physical ones, and to connect with like minded folks geographically.
Cheers, and happy investing!
Hi, I am in the Bay Area and investing in out of state properties for the past 2 years. How do I join the Google group?
Thanks in advance.
Post: Conventional loan on a 6-plex?

- San Jose, CA
- Posts 41
- Votes 9
Post: Is this a decent deal?

- San Jose, CA
- Posts 41
- Votes 9
Originally posted by @Jonathan Pflueger:
Numbers are numbers. What is your bottom line criteria for buying? Does this deal meet that criteria?
I know that when I start trying to make a deal work, more often than not, I am just putting lipstick on a pig. Be careful you are not so desperate for a deal that you override your buying criteria or common sense.
I don't know your market so take this at face value. Best of luck and stick with your buying criteria, that shouldn't leave you astray.
Thanks, that clears it for me. This does fit my buying criteria. Prior to BP, I would have dived right in if it paid for the mortgage, fee, insurance, and had a little leftover. This community/ podcasts taught me to factor for Capex/ vacancy etc.
I cancelled on one of the 4 flex as it needed a lot of work. For the other building I negotiated a price of 294k. Hoping to fix it up and raise the rents to market to get it up to 1% eventually.
Post: Analyzing 4 Plex in Phoenix

- San Jose, CA
- Posts 41
- Votes 9
Post: Is this a decent deal?

- San Jose, CA
- Posts 41
- Votes 9
Originally posted by @Ryan Moore:
Originally posted by @Doug McVinua:
@Ali Ahmed We manage multiple 4-Plex's in the Phoenix market and I can't think of one where an HOA is going to cover landscaping or electric on the property.
Are you sure about that? Trying to help protect you!
My property's HOA covers "landscaping" (aka watering the rocks), and water to my units. Electricity to my building is my responsibility, which ultimately is metered out to the tenants. I obviously pay electricity on vacant units during turnovers.
I got a hold of the HOA docs finally and they do cover landscaping. Confirmed it with the sellers and their PM as well. So far, sellers have agreed to reduce 7k in total for both properties. And I managed to find insurance that is cheaper than what I had posted initially. Is there anything in particular I need to look out for when getting an insurance for a commercial four-plex?
Post: Is this a decent deal?

- San Jose, CA
- Posts 41
- Votes 9
Originally posted by @Account Closed:
You are buying fourplexes in Phoenix with rent ratios of 0.8%! First of all, Phoenix has unlimited land. Secondly its a fourplex. Rent ratios should be higher than for SFRs. You will only sell to other investors. Thirdly, rent growth is slowing and is under 4%/year. Fourth, we are in an increasing interest rate cycle. I cant see how your cash flow will improve or your appreciation.
If you want to buy negative cash flow scenarios, you must do it where appreciation is almost a given. And buy SFRs in desired areas that have a owner occupant market. There are some markets like that but I dont think Phoenix qualifies (although I dont invest there so I cant be sure).
After discussing with my PM and checking craigslist and rentometer, it looks like the rent can be raised up to 100 a door as they are below market rent (one 2 bd 1 bath is rented for 500). I will have the inspection report tomorrow and hope there aren't many repairs. i will then go further with the purchase.
Post: Best Market Places to invest in for flipping or rentals?

- San Jose, CA
- Posts 41
- Votes 9
Post: Buying properties out of state

- San Jose, CA
- Posts 41
- Votes 9
Post: New Investor In Phoenix, AZ

- San Jose, CA
- Posts 41
- Votes 9
Post: Is this a decent deal?

- San Jose, CA
- Posts 41
- Votes 9
Originally posted by @Doug McVinua:
@Ali Ahmed We manage multiple 4-Plex's in the Phoenix market and I can't think of one where an HOA is going to cover landscaping or electric on the property.
Are you sure about that? Trying to help protect you!
Let me confirm with my realtor about this. Appreciate your input.