All Forum Posts by: James Brand

Hey @Neeraj S. 

I expect there will be some useful RE information/learning to be had there, however prepare yourself for the pitching of classes, training, and mentoring for a price. Looks like a fairly typical guru seminar. If you are not familiar with these, arm yourself by reading through the BP link below:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2011/04/0...

Good Luck!

-James

Welcome to BP @Lawrence Macey!

Where in Philadelphia do you invest?

-James

Welcome @Jonathan Rigg!

You have come to the right place! 

Check out BP's Ultimate Beginner's Guide, it helps to form a general foundation in the industry. Additionally, listen to the BP Podcast and you will find yourself discussing REI in a much more professional manner very quickly. Also if you are a bookworm, check out the list of BP's 21 Best Real Estate Books, and start checking them off. I try and read at least 1 business book and 1 Real Estate book a month.

Philadelphia also has some very useful online tools to access public records.

Flipping can be a tricky thing to get your feet wet with, but if you do a live-in flip you minimize risk by having the property provide you with a residence. Do you have any prior experience with construction? Plumbing? Electrical work?. I live, work, and invest in the city, and went to Drexel for my undergrad so I am very familiar with UC. Reach out any time...

Best of luck!

-James

Hey Ryan,

I apologize for the delay, I have a guy I use for any framing and/or drywall. PM me information about the job and location, and I will check with him to see if he can offer his services. If you already have someone, great!

-James

Ryan,

What type of work are you looking to have done?

-James

Hey BP

I have seen recessed lights above shower in home after home in Philly. I assume the circuits for these lights are GFCI, but I have also heard that a recessed light above a shower is not up to code. I can see why it would be ill-advised, but with a sealed/water-tight fixture I would expect it to be okay. Please weigh in...

Hey @Annmarie Oshea!

Welcome to BP! @Linval T. did a great job of listing resources BP has to offer. I am curious where are your properties in West Philly? Ucity? Spruce Hill? The MFH market can be quite competitive out that way with the high demand from housing brought on by students.

-James

Welcome Raj!

You have come to the right place! Great first step to learning and investing.

Check out BP's Ultimate Beginner's Guide, it helps to form a general foundation in the industry. Additionally, listen to the BP Podcast and you will find yourself discussing REI in a much more professional manner very quickly. Also if you are a bookworm, check out the list of BP's 21 Best Real Estate Books, and start checking them off. I try and read at least 1 business book and 1 Real Estate book a month.

I love the house hacking strategy when starting out, and think it can be successfully  applied with a good lender. The key is making sure your numbers are solid. I live, work, and invest in the city, and I look at the new multis that come on the market daily, reach out any time...

Best of luck!

-James

Hey @Kathy Johnson

Never hurts to add a little detail to your post explaining what you are trying to do or a particular deal you have in the works. Could allow for a lender here on BP to see it and express interest. Just a thought.

-James

Welcome @Dan 

You have come to the right place! Great first step to learning and investing.

Check out BP's Ultimate Beginner's Guide, it helps to form a general foundation in the industry. Additionally, as @Mark Nolan mentioned, listen to the BP Podcast and you will find yourself discussing REI in a much more professional manner very quickly. Also if you are a bookworm, check out the list of BP's 21 Best Real Estate Books, and start checking them off. I try and read at least 1 business book and 1 Real Estate book a month.

Philadelphia also has some very useful online tools to access public records.

I love the house hacking strategy, and think it can be easily applied in the city with a good lender. The key is making sure your numbers are solid. I live, work, and invest in the city, and I look at the new multis that come on the market daily, and can tell you many of these properties are not good investments if you desire a strong cash-flow investment. Reach out any time...

Best of luck!

-James