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All Forum Posts by: James H.

James H. has started 24 posts and replied 135 times.

Post: Relocating from Canada to US

James H.Posted
  • Investor
  • Dallas, TX
  • Posts 135
  • Votes 62
There does not seem to be a connection between Canadian credit reporting and US credit reporting.  But, the idea of using a Canadian bank may be helpful for obtaining your first US credit card - which is probably the best first step for building credit history.  Another way to start could be getting a high interest car loan from a used car dealer and then paying the loan off in a few months.  Or you can get credit cards through most credit unions that are secured by savings accounts.  I.e., $1000 on deposit in a savings account gives you automatic approval for a credit card with a $1000 limit.  That is what my wife did when she came to the States from Canada.

RBC Wealth Management has an office here in Dallas, by the way.  I just looked at RBC's website and they do mention that they have programs for Canadian expats for real estate loans.  That might be a good place to start.  

Originally posted by @Ivana Gojkovic:

Thank you James. I am trying to figure out if I can use my credit history from Canada in order to start investing right away. As opposed to renting for 2 years while building credit. I read that obtaining financing from Canadian banks that have US offices may speed up the process as they take Canadian credit history into account. 

Post: Relocating from Canada to US

James H.Posted
  • Investor
  • Dallas, TX
  • Posts 135
  • Votes 62

Ivana,

I am not a mortgage broker/officer.  However, I can tell you that the rules and regulations regarding real estate investing for you are going to be the same as for a US citizen.  When you come here, you will get a social security number.  This number is used for tax purposes and for tracking your credit.  Once you build a sufficient credit history, you can apply for mortgages for your residence or investment properties.  Generally, I believe you need about 2 years of employment and good credit history.  Establishing credit can be a challenge.  But, Google around and read articles about the best ways to establish a great credit history quickly.  It's really not that hard once you understand what to do.  My 20 year old has been able to obtain almost $100K in revolving credit in just two years. :-)

Welcome to Dallas!

James

Post: 22yr Old First Real Estate Investment: House Hacking In Dallas TX

James H.Posted
  • Investor
  • Dallas, TX
  • Posts 135
  • Votes 62

Mario,

How are your other debts?  The following is not advice but food for thought based on personal experience.

As a new couple ready to start a family, we desperately wanted to buy a home. We discovered that mortgage debt has a maximum allowable DTI ratio and that there is a separate, higher, DTI for overall debt. What that means is that, if you have no other debts, one thing you can do is get a personal loan from a bank (or... a cash advance on a credit card...). Don't spend the cash. After three months in your account, it seasons and the banks do not consider it as "borrowed for mortgage" purposes.

Example: Say you make $100K per year. I believe FHA is now allowing a maximum DTI of 45%. That means that your debt payments can be as high as $3750 per month. However, the maximum mortgage DTI is 38%, or $3167 per month. The difference between the two is the maximum that you can be paying per month for car loans, credit cards, personal loans, etc., and still qualify for the maximum mortgage. $583 per month.

With your high credit score, you can probably borrow $20K fairly easily and still have payments under $583 per month.  Wait 3 months after borrowing so that you have $30K sitting around in a bank account for 3 months and... problem solved.  

Again, I am not "recommending" this.  But, this is how our family bought our first home.

Post: Curious about pain points

James H.Posted
  • Investor
  • Dallas, TX
  • Posts 135
  • Votes 62

The human factor always plays a big role in things like this, especially if the deal does not go as smoothly as expected timewise.

Post: multifamily construction in Dallas

James H.Posted
  • Investor
  • Dallas, TX
  • Posts 135
  • Votes 62

That price is outrageous.  I would start out by getting an architect to draw up plans; leave the construction company out of the picture.  Try this guy for drafting plans:



Edward Blu, LLC, DraftingDreamz.com

5050 Quorum Dr, Suite 700

Dallas, TX 75254

Post: COVID Vendor Changes

James H.Posted
  • Investor
  • Dallas, TX
  • Posts 135
  • Votes 62

I have been told that COVID-19 is going to add another month or more to the process of refinancing hard money into a permanent loan.

Post: Please help me assess my Dallas PM

James H.Posted
  • Investor
  • Dallas, TX
  • Posts 135
  • Votes 62
Bruce,

Our experience has been quite different as far as the number of showings go.  For one condo we had for rent last year at this time, we got 2 or 3 calls per week when listing it at the same price as surrounding apartments with fewer features.  Decreasing it to $100 believe any similar size apartment within 3 or 4 miles, the increase in calls was slight, at best.

Right now, we have a home for rent that is $150-$200 less than any other home within 2 miles.  We are averaging 1 to 2 calls per week.

For homes that we rent in the summer, we get 4 or 5 calls per week at most.  They rent after 2 to 3 weeks.

Originally posted by @Bruce Lynn:

5.  If you don't like the price, you can change it.  It's your home, if you think there should be a price adjustment just let them know....they should be working with you, but I doubt they would fight this and demand you leave it higher priced.  They make money by renting properties, not by leaving them vacant.   A little lower rent sometimes can save you thousands.   It's weird too about pricing, both on sales and rentals.  Sometimes just a minor price adjustment...maybe even $50/month can make a big difference.  At this point you might lower a bit and see if that changes the number of showings you get.   Even in the winter months, I'd say you probably want to be getting about 1 showing a day and 2-3-4 on each of Sat/Sun to know you are in the right price range.

Post: Finding Architects and Structural Engineers

James H.Posted
  • Investor
  • Dallas, TX
  • Posts 135
  • Votes 62

Nik Moushon - That is exactly why I am looking for local architect to create a set of plans with a similar floor plan to the one I saw online.  Besides all of the things you mention, a local architect can also tweek plans for subsequent homes based on experience building home #1.  

The online plans are $700.  I assume a local architect creating a similar set of plans from scratch would be 3 to 5 times that much.  But, it seems like a worthwhile investment to me.

(Rereading my original post, I can see that it was not obvious that I am looking for someone to make plans from scratch.  I am not looking for someone to just stamp plans drawn by someone unknown.  I am looking for a "team member" for this and subsequent builds.)

Post: Finding Architects and Structural Engineers

James H.Posted
  • Investor
  • Dallas, TX
  • Posts 135
  • Votes 62

We have a lot and want to build an affordable, 3bd/2bath home that is around 1100 sqft. I found some plans on the internet that I am interested in. But, I would prefer a local architect to stamp them.  Plus I need an energy audit and structural engineer to design the foundation (per the city.)

I have subs lined up.  But, finding architects and engineers willing to help with a 1100sqft home is a real challenge that I was not expecting.   I posted on sites like UpWork and contacted several architects from DFW Craigslist with little response.  The engineer we use to evaluate slabs for homes with rehab is unwilling to work on new foundations because of liability.

Ideas?  

Post: Refi out of Hard Money Loan

James H.Posted
  • Investor
  • Dallas, TX
  • Posts 135
  • Votes 62

If it is a commercial loan, then 5.5% is about right.