All Forum Posts by: J. Martin

@Kevin Auyong ,

Thanks, I like the idea. I was planning on having everyone go around and introduce themselves and what they're interested in once we all get there, so people can talk to those that are up their alley..

Why don't we kick it off here? We can all get introduced a bit here, then we'll already have a good idea.. I'll start. Everyone feel to copy and paste these categories, then just change the response, and post.

In State / Out of State?
In State - Driveable distances to Bay

Strategy?
'Fix' and hold.

Type of properties?
Prefer 2-4 units, or multiple SFH's on one lot. WIll also consider SFH alone.. Will look at MF and other commercial after tapped out on 30yr financing.

Looking for?
Wholesalers to bring off-market properties in the Bay Area w/ <8GRM or significant turnaround/rehab needed. Potential equity investors to invest side-by-side with my equity on deals I am looking at. I do not have any money to lend for other's deals right now, but would potentially be interested in being an equity partner on someone else's deal in the Bay Area, investing side-by-side equity with a colleague.

Can offer / knowledgeable about?
Advice: General real estate, landlording, SF/Oakland rent control, FHA loan info, general loan info, Multifamily, financial analysis, prospecting spreadsheet (CF estimates).

@Joshua McGinnis ,

Just to chime in for my area since I was checking this post.., most of my tenants would not qualify for a loan for a sufficient amount to buy a house/condo in the area with their income, or others with the length of their job history, or both. (in lower income area). Many also do not have the downpayment money, and aren't even aware that there are programs to help low-income buyers. Others who do have the money aren't sure if they will move (and don't want to worry about what to do with the house.). Others have been burned on housing before, and don't want to buy. Yet others want to buy someday, but would prefer to save more, or buy their first house that they could stay in a long time.. and aren't quite there yet.

I met an investor in Silicon Valley in the Cupertino (Google) area who rents 2500 sq ft houses for $10K/mo to tech executives who want to be close to work, but not sure if they'll move to a different area with a different company, or are too busy with their own work/tech projects to think about learning about real estate or what is a good buy for them (or even taking the time to look at houses)..

It amazes me too sometimes, but creates the opportunity for investors like us to fill that gap..

No problem Evan. It was cold here too!

Well, not that cold I guess..
We like seasons in CA too.. That's why we skip the shi*ty ones! lol

Stay warm! I just saw a different post about snow removal costs.. Had never even considered that..

I'm not in the area, but I would check craiglist or your local classified ads and call up and get a few quotes.. I think it's a good practice for everything anyway!

Good luck!

@Mike H. , I agree w/ K Marie Poe. I think NY is similar to SF here in the Bay, and if so, you'll want a lawyer that is very experienced specifically with tenant law in the city. Mistakes can cost HUGE amounts of money, and sometimes requiring you to allow the tenant to move back in at the same rent when you finish rehabbing! ahhh!!!!

I'm an investor from the East Bay, in Richmond, but am working/staying in Stockton on the dates above, and was hoping to organize a little meetup here in Stockton while I'm out here to exchange stories and info about the differences in our investments in NorCal, have some food and drink, and do some real estate networking with our nearby investors..
Mon-Wed 1/13/14 - 1/15-/14 or Tues-Thurs 1/21/14 - 1/23/14

I connected with @Erin A. on BP previously, who's coming to the East Bay meetup I organized in Oakland on 1/16 (which anyone is welcome to join, below..). I'm hoping she can make one of these dates here in Stockton and pick the date, as my only sort-of known local contact (if not, any and everyone else is still welcome, and thanks Erin!). I'm not sure how often anyone else here meets up, but it's always nice to meet local investors and network, so please jump in and post on this forum if you'd like to join.

I propose the meeting would be in the evening, after work (6pm-9ish.. or whenever?) on one of the dates above, hopefully picked by Erin if she can come! We can meet for free with plenty of room at the Residence Inn just west of I-5 off off W March Ln. Or I'm open to meeting at a restaurant or bar in Stockton if others would prefer.

Looking forward to meeting some of you soon!

Just in case anyone wants to join on 1/16 and is closer to the Bay, I organized another meetup in Oakland, which everyone really enjoyed last time..

http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/517/topics/109953-east-bay-meetup---thurs-jan-16-2014-in-oakland

I'm also going to post a few local keywords in case locals want to join in..

Stockton, Lodi, Modesto, San Andreas, Brentwood, San Joaquin Valley, Antioch, Pittsburgh (ok, maybe those last couple are stretching it.. lol)

Hoping to meet some of you soon!

You called me out @Bill Gulley ! I've been a little bored after work on a stay-out job around the Stockton/Modesto/Lodi area, so I feel like I should at least kick in, and maybe help a couple people out at worst.. If you've never visited, it's not exactly where most Californians strive to live.. lol (search google)

Thanks @Account Closed , but it looks like I have to sign up for some sort of business package, and I cannot find the actual pricing.

@Adam Hofmann , it looked like $30/mo minimum for Evoice. Do you know anything about kall8? It would be great to have something where I can keep the number and service all year, even though I will only be using it once or twice a year, without shelling out $360/yr. Given my lease volume, that would start eliminating the benefit of using the VA.. Maybe I'm just too cheap :( lol

There were a couple questions about the meetup, so just wanted to say it is absolutely on, and everyone is welcome to attend. Here are the details, and looking forward to seeing everyone there!

What: East Bay BP Meetup - 2014!

When: Thursday, January 16th, 2014 - 6:30PM to 9ish+

Where: Rosamunde Sausage Grill (& Bar)
Swans Market Place, 911 Washington St, Oakland, CA 94607

Get There: Take BART to 12th St/Civic Center Oakland Station& walk down Broadway to decreasing-numbered streets. Make a right on 9th St and walk to the first corner, at 911 Washington St. It is about a 5min walk, a block from the last EB meetup.

Parking at 459 8th St, or other garages nearby at the link below. Address above.

Besides just the tips on the site, let me add a little flavor on the full time work situation...

Work full time. Manage 6 units. Ongoing is no problem. Prospecting, negotiating contracts, inspections, organizing, and rehab can suck up a lot of time.

First, have a great team of people who can handle whatever you need, with a handyman/contracter as the centerpiece (and a good property manager too if you can't do it yourself)

I think @Michael Seeker hit it on the head with those 3 points. Keep everything accessible online (cloud storage, google docs, email account, tablet always on you, whatever..), write down things as soon as your think of it (I use OneNote on my microsoft phone, or there are plent of free apps..), and set calendar reminders as soon as the thought is in your mind.

These processes have saved me in both my 9-5 and my real estate investments! Good Call!