All Forum Posts by: Justice Newland

Hi @Christina Rodrigues!

I am in a very similar position! I would highly recommend Craig Curlop’s House Hacking book. It takes you from about 0% - 80% quickly in your knowledge of real estate and specifically house hacking. Good luck with finding your first property!

Hi @Chase Colucci!

Thanks for responding and for the name compliment! My brothers name is Independence. Our names are from a John Mellencamp song. 

Congrats on your first house hack! Thats amazing! I would love to connect and share ideas and information. I will send you a request. 

Hi @Jennifer Jo McCallon!

That is super great to hear! Thank you for responding to my post. I am happy that it is working out for you to invest in Pittsburgh!

Quote from @Elise Bickel Tauber:

Hi Justice! Congrats on making the decision to change your life and start investing in real estate. I have so many investors I work with that started by house hacking and end up with a large portfolio.

Are you planning to go FHA? I think that may be the best option for the first one. I've had investors with 10-20% available to put down but I really like the idea of keeping as much money in your pocket as possible for emergencies.

Best of luck!

Hi Elise!
Thank you for responding to my post! I am definitely leaning towards the FHA as long as the numbers work. Anyone I talk to that is not in real estate (such as my family) tells me not the pay the PMI, but I try to explain that my tenants will be paying it. I definitely like the idea of having a large reserve in cash just in case anything happens, and to help me sleep better at night. Thank you for the reassurance in the FHA front and the general encouragement!
Justice 

Hi @Clayton Hepler!

I am so glad to meet someone else who is house hacking in Pittsburgh! That is incredible how quickly your net worth has increased. It seems like house hacking is the best way to start. I will definitely reach out.

Thanks!

Hi @Scott Trench!

Yes, I have read your book and it has altered my life's trajectory. Thank you so much for taking the time to share all of the knowledge that you have acquired. I am now onto Craig Curelop's book, and I am hooked. Great job running BiggerPockets.I am excited to be entering into this space and community.

Justice

Quote from @Jim K.:

@Justice Newland

I live and househack in Pittsburgh, Justice. It's wonderful meeting someone else local who's read Set for Life and is determined to realize the value of househacking for themselves. I didn't start househacking until I had been in the game for quite some time. I left a townhouse condo HOA next to Ross Park Mall with a clubhouse, tennis courts, and a swimming pool in order to move into a hundred-year-old over-under duplex I bought on the edge of Homestead (much nearer my wife's job) for $45K cash. It took me three years of my spare time to renovate the upstairs, but within a week of advertising the place I moved tenants in at $900/month.

Every advantage @Scott Trench lays out in the book that I have tested works, exactly as advertised.

 Hi Jim,

Thank you so much for responding to my post! It is even more wonderful meeting someone who is local, has read Set for Life, AND has already accomplished what I am just setting out to do! If you ever want to talk about Pittsburgh real estate or anything financial freedom related please reach out!

Quote from @Alan DeRossett:

Above ground utilities. we have plenty of properties with utilities underground and the rents are higher in areas without utility poles. Also if we can add solar and EV charging in Garages to upgrade a property a 20% Appreciation can be gained. In my local market, we usually buy and hold for a minimum of 5 years and appreciation makes us more than actual rents.

 Hi Alan! That is interesting what you mention about adding EV charging in the garage. Do you think that this is location dependent? I love that EV's are on the rise, however, I am not sure that I would get that much appreciation in Pittsburgh. Interested to hear your thoughts!

Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

Haven't seen anything yet that I wouldn't touch - as long as there is a very decent upside $ wise. There is always a fix.

 If there is a problem that can be solved with money, and you have money, then you don't have a problem. I believe that is a quote from Brandon Turner and your post made me think of it! I agree with you. I may be naive though as I do not have much experience yet. 

Quote from @Doug Johnson:

Good luck! Housing hacking is a great strategy especially in uncertain times. Lower expenses and hedging inflation with fixed rate debt. 

 Hi Doug!

Thanks for responding! Those are my thoughts as well. I read Set For Life and am now trying to reduce my expenses in housing and transportation as much as possible by finding a house hack near work where I can ride my one-wheel in to the North Shore. I see you are also in Pittsburgh, have you been investing here long? 

Thanks,

Justice