All Forum Posts by: Justin Escajeda

I smoked since I was 15 and quit 2 years ago, switching to using a vape, e-cig, whatever.  I have a group of close friend who had got me into it.  We have taken it to the next level as not only a nicotine supplement, but a hobby as well.  Im sure you've seen those people blowing large clouds out of the hand built vapes.  I am not one to jump on band wagons, but this is one I am into for some reason. 

The reason I am telling you this is that in my home office I use a large, obnoxious, cloud blowing vape (that I would not use in public or while day to day operations - too expenisve and don't want to break).  As I am now, and every evening while doing paperwork, research, etc., I constantly hot box my office.  If you walked into my office the next day, you would never be able to tell I was using the vape the night prior. 

Occasionally, I will spill a little vape juice on my desk, but other than that I see no draw backs to tenants using the vapes.  Another thing is, a tenant is going to do what they want to do, particularly in this case.  I don't know how many tenants I told not to smoke, and they do it anyways, or many other rules for that matter.  Its going to depend on your tenant.  Overall, I don't think this is a major cause for concern. 

PEX is the way to go, I am not a plumber by any stretch of the imagination, but pex is so easy to use, cheap, and easy to learn. 

90% of my life I am wearing work clothes.  Which usually works well for me being that I usually rent to working class tenants (and below).  I suppose it gives an impression of someone who is a bit more like them than the stereotype of super wealthy landlords that many tenants seem  to believe.  There has been more than one occasion that the tenants thought I worked for the landlord, probably due to young age and tattoos.  In my business, at the current time, I do not feel that it is a problem. 

When I am showing storage units on the other hand, I try (not always) to clean up a little better though.  I don't want people to think they are renting to a dirt ball.

This is not a topic that I hear about a lot, but Ive been sent Marina for sale:

-holds 75 boats

-pavilion area

-huge garage (steel bldg. presumably for winter heated storage for boats)

-large fenced in storage area

-asking $160k

I am honestly wondering about the liability aspect of the water, does anyone have experience with this?  I've concluded the seller is overly desperate, but I have no experience with this type of property.

Thanks in advance.

Thanks!  I should also mention here that there is a good bit of work to do within the park.  This is a low class park (I forget how to correctly categorize them).  Electrical and water needs updated, 2 homes need torn down (highly doubt they can be moved), gravel pads need updated to concrete (which will be done as homes get replaced - but 3 right out of the gate need poured), and there is no management fee btw. 

The thing is I am only clearing around $400-500 a month here, and it is NOT easy getting financing locally in Pittsburgh for a mh park.  I suppose my main concern is that I do not get all the necessary work done within the 12 months. 

Since I am giving the owner $610/month for a year (@4.2%), will that money go towards the down payment of the park?  Or just get taken off the purchase price?

Im sorry, the stipulation on the 5k down the new asking price is 135k not 119k

I hope I can get some good feedback, thanks in advance..

Ive been negotiating with a mh park seller for a couple months on a park on a very populated highway with new development emerging around it.  That is not why I want the park though, I am in it for the mh park itself.

13 Lots

Currently @ $260/lot   (will be increasing by at least $25)

water: $200/month         sewage: $488/month     taxes: $250/month  trash:$40/month  insurance: $110/month

9 lots currently rented  Homes on 2 vacant lots need removed

Purchase price: $119k

I got seller to hold the note for 12 months, at $5k down.  My question(s) is, does this look like a good deal, and what happens if I cannot get the money in 12 months (bigger fear)?  Ive never purchased a mh park before (just mobile homes), nor have someone not 100% finance a property to me. 

Coming from a contractors  point of view...I have a bit of a leg up on my competition because I am tapped in with my local investor population and my masonry company is not what soley makes me money. 

I have 2 types of customers: investors and homeowners (and GC's but they fall in either one of those categories depending on the situation).  When Im dealing with an investor I will either give them (a SLIGHTLY lower) price or I will simply ask them where they need to be.  Homeowners on the other hand, its a straight price all the time, no discounts. 

My company's quality of work speaks for it self, I hire talented masons and my website and testimonials show as much.  The bottom line is I know exactly how long (and how much $ im spending in Labor and material) something is going to take, and the variable is how much I am going to make on top.  If its not enough, then I am going to pass.  Ill undercut my competition a lot because I have the room to.  The last couple years I have incorporated interest free financing, now Im charging the same as the next guy, but my selling point is you do not have to come out of pocket all at once.  I don't mind collecting monthly payments, hell im used to it with my rentals.  If they do not pay, I put a lien on their house (and the investors especially don't want that if theyre flipping). 

Be careful how low they cut each other.  I have a standard of how much I want to make, for example I am not going to point a whole ranch house for example unless I am clearing 2-3k.  I woulnt brick a house without clearing 5-6k.  If a contractor bids low, then the work may be quickly done, and that's the truth.  Ive been screwed by plumbers, electricians, and carpenters because I am cheap and go with lowball offers.  Needless to say, I am on guard for those types of contractors.  Hope it helps..

yeah hvac calls are the best... as far as your dishwasher goes, replace it with another cabinet and a $1.50 plastic dish rack.  That way you don't have to worry about fixing it ever again.

I would replace the heating technician first, do you know anyone who can take a look for free?  Some of those heating and cooling businesses are criminal enterprises, and they definitely capitalize on the fact that you MUST have heat for a tenant in the winter.