All Forum Posts by: Jonathan Sowinski

Thanks for the thoughts I personally have not been affected as much being downtown (manageable) as those just a few miles south (very much not manageable).  Here are a few pics for reference... 

Nice...

Fireplace and open floor plan, cant ask for much more.

and I was supposed to have my porch repainted this week...

Hire a lawyer...or try to offer her $$$ (less than lawyer/eviction fees) to leave.  

Also, not sure what they told you about the timeline for receiving deed but I have heard upwards of 6 months from the City In Rem.

 Paul,

I am not a lawyer so no legal advice here...

(1) City code regrading snow removal can be found here: http://ecode360.com/13626640.  It states owner or occupant to remove snow and ice from adjacent sidewalks by 9am.  So you might be able to specify in the lease though you as owner may have some liability somehow...

(2) I am also looking for a reliable service.  I have heard finding a reliable service that is affordable is tough "you get what you pay for" so far I left a lot of messages and not many callbacks.  The City does require plow operators to be licensed find a list of them here (along with all other licensed contractors):  https://www.ci.buffalo.ny.us/home/city_departments... Though it has not been the best of help for me.  I would suggest asking neighbors if they use anyone and get their contact, you want to make sure they serve your location already and you are not an out of the way stop that gets put to the back of the line.  They might even give your neighbor a referral discount (it pays to keep neighbors happy).  Also. obviously make sure they are insured and you have a signed contract that states where (specific areas of property) and when (specific amount of snow fall, and before a specified time of day) the snow will be removed.  Also, if you pay by season is there a max limit of plowing before you pay per plow.  I have heard pay per plow contracts can get messy if it is not your primary residence.

(3)  Legally I believe you are only required (by the City) to clear sidewalks adjacent to your property.  I imagine it depends on your lease for anything above and beyond that...

Sorry I couldn't be more help in recommending someone...I have done ours myself in the past as it was super easy, my double where I lived and apartments with no sidewalk just a few steps to clear and that was 4 blocks away on my way to work (we moved this summer and not as convenient).  What part of the City are your properties?  Ill reach out if I find a good one, and please reach out if you find someone too.

Cheers,   

I only know them bc they direct mail me for their 1031 services...Also see a lot of their listings on Loopnet.  Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

If you don't mine me prying...What are you looking for regarding your multi family?  How may units, neighborhoods, condition, desired returns...

Its funny the timing of your post could not have been better...I was literally just on their (Dasa) website this morning as I am researching local PMs.

I am sorry to hear about your troubles.  Sounds like you may be dealing with some of  greedy WNY folks that @Engelo Rumora had mentioned in an earlier post.  

Seems like there are many poor experiences with local PMs...this was just posted as well.  http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/1498...

Looks like there is some demand for quality management here locally.

@Larry Turowski that's hilarious if its the same property...sounds like @Shaun Carl could also milk this cow... was it the distance that made the management less than ideal?

Sean, you may want to check with the City/Town if you are considering updating the commercial space to residential...if you are keeping commercial really depends on where on Walden it is, demand is all over the place as you move down the corridor.  If you cant find a commercial tenant you may be able to benefit from renting the space to your business, but you would have to speak with an accountant which I am not.

@Engelo Rumora I wasn't trying to start any banter, I just thought your statement was a little broad-brushed, sorry if my sarcasm bled through the keyboard...

I would love to meet up when you are in town.

@Shannon Sadik @Larry Turowski 

I do not know the Rochester market very well...so can not comment on it specifically.

We started with a  owner occupied double that we where seeing any cash flow while living in there, just a greatly reduced mtg payment.  We just moved out and are now seeing the cash flow...What are you basing your 8% on the total potential rent?  Some folks might think that 8% in an "A" neighborhood is good.  

We also picked up an 8-unit that gets ~$200/door (both of these are in the "nice" Elmwood Village neighborhood.

We bought off the MLS in the beginning and I believe timing had a lot to do with those early deals. since then the area has really seen a huge change in the market (last 2 years) and you would be hard pressed to find something in that area on the MLS that produced.

Moving into the West side you can still get great numbers and if you are ready to pull the trigger could probably find it on the MLS. Also, in areas of south buffalo and some of the subburbs you could probably find something that work off the MLS, though probably nothing like Engelo's 20% net in a "nice" neighborhood.

Now we are mainly focusing on off-market properties...

I would echo Engelo and suggest you keep at it, network and stay motivated while educating yourself.

Also, there is a local BP meetup scheduled here for Sept. 10th if you wanted to check it out. 

Talk to @Michael Sherwood to get on the email list and reserve a spot...

Wednesday, September 10, 2014 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM (EDT)

Olympic Restaurant

1601 Military Road

Buffalo, NY 14217