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All Forum Posts by: J. Martin

J. Martin has started 162 posts and replied 3640 times.

Post: Adding a pre-fab studio

J. Martin
Pro Member
#1 Real Estate Events & Meetups Contributor
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Oakland, CA
  • Posts 3,818
  • Votes 2,925

@Eli Altman,

To clarify what @Robert Marston said regarding ADU's - these are an excellent tool - but you are not necessarily bound by the regulations regarding ADU's, since you said your property is zoned for two residences. The ADU law is designed for single family homes, to give them an option for a second unit, even when not zoned for 2 units.

Along that note, how big is your lot and how much room do you have, beyond the existing footprint of the concrete back there? Because construction costs per square foot drop a lot as the structure gets bigger, you should get better equity out of the build, and higher rents, if you build bigger. You may find it's cheaper per square foot for a bigger structure, even after pouring a new pad.. But you'd have to see. 

From what I understand, the savings from pre-fab in the SF Bay (from the people I've spoke with) are generally associated with time to build, and holding costs. This probably matters less for a smaller structure like yours (if it takes 6 extra months to build a full house, that's a lot different).

I like @Michaela G.'s suggestion of an RV for a quick and inexpensive solution to test out. Or a tiny home. But you'd have to do some research on legality if you're concerned about that. 

I like the container home idea, but have fun with the city! Earthquakes shouldn't be a significant issue for such a small structure, built correctly, anyway. 

@Katie P.,

See you in a couple Sundays!

Post: contract for deed on a condo for airbnb

J. Martin
Pro Member
#1 Real Estate Events & Meetups Contributor
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Oakland, CA
  • Posts 3,818
  • Votes 2,925

@Amy Ranae,

First of all, check the HOA rules.
Most condos won't allow rentals under 30 days, and some have other restrictions. 

The contract for deed is a different issue, but be careful if you're counting on the airbnb income.. 

Good luck!

Post: San Francisco Bay Summit - Oct 7 & 8, 2017 - Join the Reunion!

J. Martin
Pro Member
#1 Real Estate Events & Meetups Contributor
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Oakland, CA
  • Posts 3,818
  • Votes 2,925

@Jana Cain,

Do you already have a specific plan, and just need to execute? 
Or need to figure out what the plan is? 

One great aspect of the Summit is hearing from investors with so many different approaches to real estate - from flipping, to short term rentals, note investing, new construction, out of state investing, etc... and then listening to how people got started and what they think the most important aspects are to getting started. It provides a great perspective.

I've also met a lot of people to bounce ideas off of, and ultimately mentors and friends at these events. Looking forward to you doing the same!

@Lane Kawaoka,

Glad you enjoyed the pics :) I'll publicize them better this year.. 

@Jen L.,

Bruce Norris will be out this year! I'm so stoked!!
I've wanted to have him out since the first year I put on this event in 2014. I can hardly believe it!
He'll be there to talk about what he's thinking for the future now, and answer your questions :)

@Victoria S.,

Glad you can make it this year! @Janet Voss had to fly back from Burning Man last year, so investors are pulling out all the stops to come and enjoy this awesome group of speakers and real estate folks to network with :)

@Lynn Currie, you're going to make it out, right? 

***Oakland Meetup***
@Katie 

@Katie P.undefined also organized a free Oakland Real Estate meetup on Sunday, 6/25, if anyone can make it out! 

@Troy Fisher,

I can't believe it's coming up already again too! And glad the folks that came out last year enjoyed it so much :)  Nice seeing you on my trip to Seattle, and I'll see you, @Elizabeth Colegrove, and @Stan K. back up there this summer. Bring another crew down from Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, and the rest! 

www.SFBaySummit.com for more info

Post: I'm the new guy from the Bay Area

J. Martin
Pro Member
#1 Real Estate Events & Meetups Contributor
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Oakland, CA
  • Posts 3,818
  • Votes 2,925

@Philippe Dela Cruz,

I wish I would have started networking earlier!! Especially in person. 
BP is an awesome resource, as are a lot of the local investors on the site. 

I own some property in the East Bay and some other operations in Silicon Valley.
And know a lot of local investors here in the Bay.. Awesome people!

You should try to come out on Sunday, June 25 to the meetup @Katie P. organized, and meet some folks. 

There will also be a bunch of us meeting up in October for a big Summit if you're available the first weekend. 

Welcome to the site, and hope to meet you in person soon!

Post: Newbie from Oakland, California

J. Martin
Pro Member
#1 Real Estate Events & Meetups Contributor
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Oakland, CA
  • Posts 3,818
  • Votes 2,925

@Shaunak Deo,

Welcome to BP, and to the Oakland crew!
I own some property in Oakland and Richmond, and operate some other stuff around the Bay Area. 
There are lots of great local folks here on BP. Come say hi in person too!

@Katie P. and a bunch of us will be meeting up in Oakland by MacArthur BART on Sunday, the 25th at 4PM at Arthur Mac's Tap and Snack to chat if you can make it! It's all in the "events" section of BP. 

Hope to meet you soon in person! I think @Chris Mason above is going too.. 

Post: East Bay/Oakland REI Sunday Meetup

J. Martin
Pro Member
#1 Real Estate Events & Meetups Contributor
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Oakland, CA
  • Posts 3,818
  • Votes 2,925

@Katie P.

Sunday, 6/25 meetup at 4PM in Oakland: 

https://www.meetup.com/REmeetup/events/240590210/

Here's the link for your meetup above. I put a link to this BP posting in the Meetup group also, and sent an announcement to the group. You should get it also.  
Looking forward to seeing you and everyone else who can make it out! I've been behind on talking with @Chris Mason also.. so looking forward to it!

Here's some of my travel photos and stories Katie! :)

Post: East Bay/Oakland REI Sunday Meetup

J. Martin
Pro Member
#1 Real Estate Events & Meetups Contributor
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Oakland, CA
  • Posts 3,818
  • Votes 2,925

@Katie P.,

Just flew back last night from my Northwest/Southwest/East Coast adventure. I should be able to make it :) Thanks for the tag! And thanks for coming out to my volunteer day at Laney Community College!

If you want more people to come out, I can put it up on my Oakland/SF meetup group. But you might get 25+ more people, so not sure how much room there is or how many investors you want to come out.. Let me know :)

Post: Seattle/Kirkland Private Room or Apt for rent for summer?

J. Martin
Pro Member
#1 Real Estate Events & Meetups Contributor
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Oakland, CA
  • Posts 3,818
  • Votes 2,925

@Nghi Le,

Glad to hear from you! (and I just announced this year's Summit too ;)
I saw your PM, and looks like it won't work out. 

But you, Andrew, @Elizabeth Colegrove , @Troy Fisher, @Stan 

@Stan K.undefined, and some of the other Seattle folks can all meet up while I'm there for a couple months.. 

Post: Seattle/Kirkland Private Room or Apt for rent for summer?

J. Martin
Pro Member
#1 Real Estate Events & Meetups Contributor
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Oakland, CA
  • Posts 3,818
  • Votes 2,925

Hello Seattle / Kirkland / Bellevue folks, 

Need: Seattle area private bedroom, basement, in-law, sublet, or weird space for 2 people (me and gf)
Dates: July 13 - Sept 13 (partial OK - will split)

Offer: 
1) Cash
2) Tickets to SF Bay Summit
3) Great real estate advice + Airbnb master if you want to get set up

Have a unfurnished basement you don't use? Tenant leaving in July? Empty space not making money? That bedroom sitting there empty? 

I'm planning on spending July 13 to Sept 13 in Seattle area with my girlfriend. We're looking for a private bedroom, basement space, in-law, or whatever's clever for an inexpensive place for the Summer. Furnished or unfurnished, depending on price.  1 month of the 2 is OK if that's what works for you. Maybe a space that usually isn't rented, but for someone you don't have to advertise for, interview too much, and make a good connection, in addition to some money.. might work. Also, if you have an unfurnished space, I'm willing to buy furniture and furnish in consideration of the total value, or help you get set up with Airbnb. (don't worry about your finishes. We care much more about going out and having fun than what your place looks like.)

I have almost a couple hundred good reviews on Airbnb, and a frequent traveler. Also, well known on BP and hosting on awesome Summit in SF Bay in Oct with a lot of the big BP names you'll recognize. Happy to provide multiple references you can verify. I also rent out furnished apartments for a living, so happy to exchange (or partially exchange with cash) my advice on getting set up. 

Seattle proper preferred, but Kirkland and Bellevue are in the mix. We found a basement for about $1,700/mo for a semi-private bedroom near downtown Seattle, but kinda weird situation in basement with a bunch of kids running around and no door. Some other private bedrooms in same price range, but further away from downtown.. 

Let's chat :)

Post: San Jose Meetup - Tuesday 5/23/17

J. Martin
Pro Member
#1 Real Estate Events & Meetups Contributor
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Oakland, CA
  • Posts 3,818
  • Votes 2,925
Originally posted by @Mike Hurney:

You boys know enough to get a Public Adjuster BEFORE you contact your insurance company?

@Account Closed

 Mike,

There's no damage. 
Appreciate the head's up though ;)