All Forum Posts by: John Teachout

Congrats on the career move. I you do it for a few years and decide you liked it better as a part time job, you had a sabbatical and can go back to teaching. It's nice to have options.

When my wife and I purchased our first home, a criteria was that we could make payments on either of our salaries. The realtor couldn't understand that thinking and thought we should be buying a larger home than the 1100 sq foot one we targeted. We were comfortable with our decision and committed to paying it off within five years. We reached that goal even though I was unemployed for more than a year of that time period. Rice and beans, beans and rice, lol. Congrats on the new place.

Are you talking in general or about a specific property you have an eye on?

If it's occupied, knock on the door.

If it's unoccupied, tape a letter to the door (or slip one underneath or through the mail slot if equipped.

As suggested above, talk to the neighbors.

Ask at the post office what they know? ie, are they forwarding mail somewhere, etc.

Courthouse/county offices should have records of ownership and will probably give that info out. Use Google, white pages, 411, etc.

Well, it sounds a little narrow to build on so not sure how much market value it would have. Who constructed the fence? The previous owner of your property? The city? Is there anything "underground" there? ie, pipe, gas line, power cable, etc?

$4700 a year tax on a property for $60,000? That's seems crazy high.

 We'll, I said no to all the counters, said the original offers were valid until further notice. I'll let that ripen a bit...and then decide what to do.

I just received three counter offers from some cheapo single family homes and need to decide if I want to budge on them. (all same seller). Maybe I need to follow my own advice.

I'd make an offer that is low enough that you'll be jumping up and down with happiness if it sells for that but not so low that it won't encourage a counter. The exception is if this is a property you just HAVE to have. If it doesn't fall into that category, offer lower than you think they'll accept. If you don't come to an agreement, wait several weeks and try the same offer. It may be more interesting at that time.

Middle Georgia real estate investor buying and holding SFH for rentals to create future retirement income stream.