All Forum Posts by: Jonathan Duhon

Alec, like Daniel said it really depends. If what you've seen is that rentals in your area have the tenant paying for utilities, just leave those items at 0.

Hey Kraig, catching this post late but yes I do business in Hammond, LA. There are a lot of good opportunities for small multifamily rehabs in and around the downtown area (the best part of town). I'd be happy to share whatever I've learned with you - hit me up anytime.

Hey Jeff, you're taking the right steps by getting plugged into BP and connecting with other investors. My biggest piece of advice for the stage you're at would be to have as many real estate conversations with investors as you can. There is so much to learn, and you will find that people are generally happy to help and to share what they know. All the best as you get going.

@Anthony Camp welcome, I am a multifamily investor and RE agent in Baton Rouge. I would be happy to help in any way possible - whether with your search or just as a brain to pick. I'm always happy to talk real estate and share what I've learned.

@Cole Sonnier jump into it man. My advice would be to become a voracious consumer of real estate content until you find a couple of strategies that you like and make sense for your situation. Then, go deep learning about those strategies and take action as soon as possible.

Once you start, you'll see that what they say is true - the first deal is the "hardest". There are mental blocks to get over and challenges to face that you've never experienced. Get in the game with a good first investment, house hacking is what I always suggest. And start learning. Do some of the work yourself, hire out the work, whatever, just start. Get some good experienced investors around you and lean on them. Ask for help often. Holler at me if I can help with anything.

@Reece Cook keep turning over stones. There is a ton of opportunity here in 
Baton Rouge, both with deals that need traditional financing and for deals that you can get owner financed. What they say about what you know vs who you know is true, especially here in BR.

You could be just a dozen phone calls, coffees, and connections away from the OF deal or the cash flow that you're looking for. It sounds crazy til you find it. There are a ton of older investors here who will be selling their properties over the next decade. I have benefitted majorly from older, more experienced investors sitting down with me and talking shop over the years. I'm always happy to pass it on.

If you wanna talk shop or pick my brain holler at me. I'm always happy to share what I've learned and open my book of connections. Best of luck. 

@Lionel Anderson welcome to the game. I am a relator and real estate investor in Baton Rouge, where I was born and raised. We own property in Hundred Oaks, Downtown and in the Garden District, which are all areas that we have been very happy with. Our preference for properties has been in the 70808, 70806 and 70802 zip codes, but there are certainly good opportunities outside of these areas.

If you've got some cash and a preapproval, you're well on your way. Now it's just educating yourself further on investment strategy and narrowing down what area you want to own in. Baton Rouge is a great place to buy rental property. There are lots of multifamily and townhome/condo options in the areas close to LSU. Like Nathan said, there are some street to street differences, but that can also work to your benefit when shopping for value if you have someone with a sharp eye for BR in your corner.

Hey Olivia welcome to Southeast Louisiana! My wife and I are on a similar path and started our investing journey two years ago with a live in flip. Since then, we have done 6 renovations. The most important thing is that y'all see eye to eye and that your desire to live for a living is strong. 

Covington is a great place, my wife and I live were born and raised in Baton Rouge and we often toy with the idea of moving out there (if we don't leave the state). It has certainly seen a ton of appreciation in the past 5 years, along with Mandeville and Madisonville. I actually have some clients and friends who are moving from California for the husband to work for the Marines in Nola and are shopping for a home in Covington.

I think your plan to buy a multifamily home with the VA loan is genius. I love when I hear of a young family wanting to go the house hacking route. I truly believe if you pick the right home in a good area that it's a decision you'll always be happy you made.

Of the towns on the Northshore, I'd say you've got the right ones in mind - Covington and Mandeville. If you want a kickass agent out there I have a good friend who is helping my friends from CA with their search. 

Hammond is another great option. I lived there for 7 years and still visit friends there a few times a year. I also work with clients there and I'm always watching the multifamily market in and around downtown bc it's such a stellar area and a place that I'd like to buy multifamily in the future. If y'all haven't spent any time in Hammond yet, I would suggest y'all book an airbnb in the heart of downtown on the west side of the railroad tracks (or close to the tracks on the east side) and just live like locals for a weekend. I have some great suggestions for food and drink if y'all decide to do that. The locals are super warm and they have lots of good food and drink there.

Baton Rouge is my home town, and it's where we exclusively invest so far. We invest in multifamily. Baton Rouge is a very stable market because of all of the oil, gas and petroleum industry, big Universities, and of course it's the state capitol. There are a lot of good areas with multifamily homes, but the best area is Mid City South. I could break Baton Rouge down a lot more if you'd like, just let me know. 

Welcome again. I hope you're settling in well so far. Holler if I can answer any questions or break down Baton Rouge more I'm always open to chat.

@Daniel Johnson @James Bennett @Derek Robinson I would love to get the scoop from y’all on the RE market in Asheville and the surrounding areas. What are your opinions or insights? Best place to go to meet local go getters? Who is the local champion of networking in your opinion?

@Derek Robinson @James Bennett thank you for the recommendations. Definitely will be reaching out.

@Daniel Johnson yes sir!! Ideally looking at a STR house hack that we would keep