All Forum Posts by: Account Closed

Another vote for yes, absolutely she should contribute to the 401-k. I'd contribute enough to capture every matching nickle. 

I'll add I'd leave those funds in 401-k plans - I would NOT cash them out early to invest in real estate - I'd leave them there until retirement (or until I had a low income year where it would make sense to do a Roth conversion). 

Not every nickle needs to be invested in real estate. I'm an advocate in diversification. I'd invest the retirement funds in stocks and bonds - REITS if I must have more RE exposure...

If you are interested in asset protection, note that some states protect 401-k funds differently than other assets, including IRAs. For this reason consider keeping 401-k funds in 401-k accounts...

I've been working exclusively with @Rachel De Faut in the Wilmington area. She's both my broker/agent and property manager. I've been happy with her.

She really shines hunting down great investment properties at good prices.

As self-employed, my better half & I simply buy our health insurance. I'm a firm believer in always having health insurance, 'cause ship happens. When I was employed, of course I was on my employer's plan.

Premiums have been going up every year for decades. Obamacare reset them significantly lower, but of course the annual increases have continued since then. I don't think that's a reflection on the law, just the reality that the insurance companies, hospitals, and doctors all want to make their millions. I don't blame Presidents Obama or Trump - it just is what it is. Personally, I like the transparency & uniformity of the ACA, but of course others have complaints. I wish our elected politicians would get together & fix the issues with health insurance in our country instead of making it a political football...

That being said, regardless of what Congress & the President does with regards to Health Insurance, taxes, etc., it's not my approach to complain about it, but to instead how to best benefit from whatever comes our way.

FWIW, I started on Bronze for years and last year switched to Silver. My partner was on Platinum for years and dropped down to Gold last year. I haven't looked at costs and options for 2018 yet...

I hope that helps.

Best of luck.

Hi Jack,

in Wilmington I've used @Rachel De Faut of Sea River Realty as my property manager, rehab partner, RE agent, etc for ~5 years now. I'm very happy with working with her.

I don't know if she's taking on new long-term rental clients, as she's also a RE agent/broker and also manages short-term rentals. Presently, I think she's more focused on sales.

She charges me a flat 10% of rent, no additional charge for placing tenants, or anything else actually. We try to have good tenant selection, so I don't feel the need to bother tenants more than 1 safety inspection per year. I ask for a video of the property between tenants so I feel confident the places are being kept up. Otherwise, I try to "set it and forget it".

She also adds value to me in that some repairs and turn-over costs are usually very reasonable. I think she has a number of low-cost helpers and contractors and doesn't pad or tack on surcharges to invoices.

She's a small almost one-woman operation, so from time-to-time over the years there may have been a hickup here or there, but overall I'm very happy working with her..

Slightly off the topic of your question is that her greatest value to me has been as my RE agent. She is extremely hard-working and knows rentals and investment properties in that market very well.
  
I hope that helps,

Joe

Buy & hold, class C. 

Rachel works with other investors, I believe some of them invest in Class A and/or Class B...

@Rachel De Faut knows the Wilmington market very well from an investors viewpoint. She's helped me find a few good properties there, even in today's market.

I've had really good luck working with @Rachel De Faut. She has lots of experience vetting investment property. I can recommend her.

I'm not actively looking for a project, but I'd be happy to offer my $0.02...

I use @Rachel De Faut for property management as well as RE agent/broker. I'm happy working with her. 

@Rachel De Fautis a good option for coastal North Carolina. A few of us on BP work with her...