All Forum Posts by: Chris Dawson

@Gabriel Miller, I agree with others in that your experience will greatly depend on your location and your local Sect 8.  I've had good and bad experience with Sect 8; just like I have with market tenants.  Here in Kansas City, each local city has its own Sect 8 division.  KC MO Sect 8 is one of the worst to work with because they are so busy.  It takes forever to get calls back or to schedule inspections.  However, other cities like Independence or Liberty have Sect 8 divisions that are great to work with.

You need to find out where your local Sect 8 is located and go pay them a visit.  You can get a good feel for what it will be like to work with them by visiting the office.  You can also pick up all of the information pamphlets for landlords.

@Dan Krupa, I think it depends on your RE goals.  If you are wanting to use your license to predominately do traditional real estate sales, then I would definitely recommend going with a large brokerage that can offer your lots of training.  If you are more interested in using your license to do investment deals and/or multi family deals, you will probably have more success at a smaller brokerage that focuses on investors instead of traditional sales.

The other thing you want to look at is your commission splits and monthly costs.  Every brokerage is different.  If you are planning on doing this part time, then you need to make sure you pick a brokerage that isn't going to charge you large monthly fees.

@Jonathan MacMillan, if you are interested in the Kansas City market, give me a call.  I'd be happy to help you succeed here in KC.

@James Hong, Kansas City is always a great market for cash flow.  The Midwest is usually the best place to find cash flowing properties due to the lower costs of living and stable markets.

@Lee Ripma, any zip code that starts with 66xxx is on the Kansas side and anything that starts with 64xxx is on the Missouri side.

66101 is basically downtown Kansas City, KS. (not to be confused with downtown Kansas City, MO which is where most of what you know/hear about downtown Kansas City exists).  All of the government buildings for KC, KS are in this zip code.  The homes in this zip code will be older, around 100 years old or more. Most of this area will be risky.  High cash flow (on paper at least).  I would not try to flip in this zip code unless maybe if you are in one of the historical areas like Strawberry Hill.

66102 is further west of downtown KC, KS. The homes are generally newer than in 66101 (50-100 yrs old). This is a better area for SFR rentals but still not good for flips.

66104 - Same as 66102

64133 - Good rental area.  Some potential for flips.

If you are interested in the KS side, 66103 is a very interesting area.  Stick to areas south and east of SW Blvd.  We have had lots of success with rentals and flips in this area.

Hope this helps.

@Ryan Sajdera if you are going to invest outside of your local area, you need to assemble a local team that you can trust.  At a minimum, you will want a real estate investor agent, a property manager, and a general contractor.  Search BP for potential contacts and then interview them, check their references, and check their work.  Ask lots of questions.

I thought I would share this with those of you looking to invest in Kansas City.  This list was put together by the Kansas City Business Journal.  

@Darren Eady shoot me a PM or give me a call to discuss your Kansas City opportunity. 

@Sheryl Griffin I'd be happy to help you with your Kansas City investments.  Send me a PM and we can discuss further.

@Dennis King send me a PM and I'll send you my GC's contact info.