All Forum Posts by: Account Closed

@Account Closed, you need to talk to your local building department, but typically it can be done, you just need to make sure various items are met. In my market, each bedroom needs an egress window that has specific size requirements and sill heights. My current renovation, we are losing a bedroom because we are moving a closet wall and the sq ft of the room is no longer 150 sq ft or larger, which this village requires for any bedroom. Often times, you need a closet.

But, again every jurisdiction is different. The building departments are often very nice and helpful and will give you some basic info about how you can achieve what you wish.

Ahhhh, the more I learn simply just by asking around, thanks for your reply, that was very helpful in terms of guiding where to seek approvals and met conditions.

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Lets say there's a two car garage connected to the home itself using this property as an example:
2292 S Sherman St, Denver, CO, 80210 | realtor.com® (strictly an example to imagine)

Is it legal to physically demolish the two garage doors, build a wall, sealing any gaps, and turning it into a bedroom or livable space to then rent out to tenants?

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Originally posted by @Peter Pham:

Hi Jarvis! I would definitely recommend David Greene's (who's a BiggerPockets guy) book "Sold" that's for real estate agents. I went to one of his webinars and he talks about how a great agent: 1) is relationship-based 2) generates leads 3) is knowledgeable 4) keeps in touch with clients 5) is efficient and 6) makes sure business is business. I hope this helps!

Great recommendation, I will definitely pick up that books for the purpose of spotting great agents or maybe become one myself down the road.

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Originally posted by @David Williams:

Hi Jarvis! Here are a few things I would look for:

1) I would start by using an agent that also invests. Not only invests, but invests in the ways you are looking to invest, for example if you are looking to house hack, an agent with previous househacking exerpience is helpful! If looking for commercial properties an agent who invests in commercial again will be helpful as they will have first hand knowledge. 2) An agent who thinks creatively for on market deals AND helps search for off market deals.
3) They should be able to know rehab estimates and ARVs and anticipated rental rates to help guide you.
4) They should also have the connections you will need, ie. lending, contractors and property managers.
5) They should be an expert in your area
6) They should communicate clearly and consistently so you are in the loop at all times
7) They should help to educate you along the way so you become a better investor just by working with them

A great place to find an agent in your area is looking here on BP in the network section, lots of great investor friendly agents to link up with! Hope that helps!

Fantastic list of criteria, this definitely helps when it comes down to looking for a great agent. I see that you're an agent yourself as well down in Denver, Colorado. Please accept my request to connect, would love to talk to you about the Denver market.

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What are some character traits and specific key skills that you would want in the agent you work with to propel your success?

What are some specific traits that you have seen through experience to avoid?

Not all agents are created equal.

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Originally posted by @Sharlene Mulchandani:

@Account Closed Like @Tina Tsysh mentioned, it really depends on your market. Personally, I feel like people nowadays tend to prefer open kitchens. They're naturally brighter, are more ventilated and make the space look bigger.

That is very true they are more naturally brighter and gives off the illusion of a bigger space (getting more bang for your buck!). Let me bounce the question back to you Sharlene, what does your local market desire in Cincinnati, Ohio? Does your market tend to have a ventilation system in place to move the air out the window directly?

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Originally posted by @Theresa Harris:

It depends on the market and what the house has. I don't like open kitchens (or the big open space) as sound travels too easily into the surrounding spaces, I know others who love them. I think there is a difference between a spacious kitchen and an open concept one. I'd look for places where the kitchen is spacious and well laid out (or the price and condition is right that you can rip out the current one and replace it and still come out ahead financially).

I also tend to not enjoy open kitchens as well since I'm by myself most of the time as I wouldn't want my entire place to smell like fried chicken breast!!!
What does a well laid out kitchen consist of to you from a personal standpoint vs an investor standpoint from your local market?

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Originally posted by @Steve Morris:

I understand the look/feel thing about open kitchens. However, think I'd be more focused on ventilation.

In an open kitchen, you start frying onions or something, not only the kitchen smells, but a lot of the open common areas smell also.

I do heavily agree that ventilation would be the focus whether the kitchen was open or closed. Smell travels when people cook and that's a fact that does not disappear. Unless people enjoy having their couches smell like meatloaf and afternoon lunch, good ventilation would be best.
I do want to bounce back the question of do proper ventilation have any inverse correlation with pests infestations especially mouse and rats in homes? Personally, if I smell food being made in the kitchen, I automatically travel to the kitchen.

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Originally posted by @Tina Tsysh:

Everything depends on the neighborhood that the house is in because at the end of the day - the market dictates everything. Since your ARV is based on comps nearby, I would see what other recently renovated homes in the area have. I think now people enjoy an open kitchen concept rather than a closed one. It makes the home feel bigger and again, depending on comps, will allow you to charge higher rent.

Also remember that you do not want to have the nicest house on the block because the comps won't back the higher price. Hope this helps !

Thanks for the reply, this definitely helps! Comps are very important to determine whether the local market desires an open or closed. Open kitchen does bring in the spacious feeling and more family connection but it does bring the problem of ventilation of smell. Unless the persons desire is to make the entire place smell like dinner. Whether open or closed, ventilation and proper air circulation would be highly desired and could potentially increases rent charges and also saving yourself from grease stained walls.
I find it quite interesting where different cultures can play a factor for kitchen layout desires.

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I've personally come from a household that has always believed that a close kitchen (kitchen in its own room like space) is the go to. However, began to notice that is a split on whether open or closed is more desired.

What do you prefer personally? Why?
What do tenants prefer on your investment properties?

I would love to hear your thoughts on it!

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All Forum Posts by: Account Closed

Account Closed has started 5 posts and replied 15 times.

Post: Garage into Bedrooms...Legal or Illegal?

Post: Garage into Bedrooms...Legal or Illegal?

Post: Real Estate Agents Traits

Post: Real Estate Agents Traits

Post: Real Estate Agents Traits

Post: Kitchen Open vs Closed Concept

Post: Kitchen Open vs Closed Concept

Post: Kitchen Open vs Closed Concept

Post: Kitchen Open vs Closed Concept

Post: Kitchen Open vs Closed Concept