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All Forum Posts by: Ken M.

Ken M. has started 2 posts and replied 61 times.

Post: Seller said "He is not required to disclose water damage repair done"

Ken M.Posted
  • Investor
  • San Antonio, Dallas
  • Posts 61
  • Votes 26
Quote from @Chris Seveney:
Quote from @Samuel Gebretnsae:
Quote from @Marcus Auerbach:

I am guessing that the vast majority of homes 10+ years old had some sort of water damage at some point, most had probably several.

My own home is only a few years old and we had the washer spring a leak and a few years later the RO system in the kitchen started leaking into the cabinet.

Seller disclosures are pretty useless in my opinion. They are designed to protect the seller (I have disclosed this), but not to substitute an inspection by the buyer.

Sellers can only disclose what they have knowledge of. Our Wisconsin RECR form is asking very specific questions which seem to vary state by state. Here they all start with "Are you aware of any XYC.." and none of them are asking about previous repairs or issues.

I understand that you are concerned, but honestly, if the water damage was resolved, the soaked parts replaced, why would it matter any longer? Especially when the insurance paid for it, contractors don't cut corners.

We have probably several water issues every year across the portfolio. We have even first-responder equipment ready (carpet fans, dehumidifier, puddle sucker pump etc) to deal with the issue quickly and curb the damage, before we get the contractors in to do the repairs. It's just water, if it was taken care of it is not a permanent problem.

Did you have an inspection?


 How  do i know the contractor not cut corner, the seller refuse to disclose the scope of work done, and the contractor said he won't reveal it without seller permission, so they are basically say we won't give you any information beside invoice, other figure it out yourself with your own money, we don't' have obligation. The seller feels showing the invoice was a favor, it weird situation i am in, has anybody face such situation?

Here is what I would do:I would still close on the property but send a letter to the sellers broker and the seller along the lines of below (note I would have an attorney write it and send it):

It has been brought to our attention there was a $15,000 insurance claim on the property. It is our position this should be disclosed and more information be provided. We understand your position and do not agree. But we can only assume since you stated this does not have to be disclosed because the work has been repaired, that you have confirmed the reapirs were done properly and in acccordance with any and all codes. 

If it is later found to be the work was not performed according to code or properly repaired, we will seek damages from your firm since you knowingly hid this from us and would not allow us to understand the extent of the damage which occurred behind walls.

Thank you

This way you are putting them on notice that you were aware damage occurred and they did not allow you to properly inspect it. Now this could be making a mountain out of a mole hill but the fact they are not disclosing it makes me think that something is shady - If i had damage I would have no issues letting them know what happened and what was done. 

Well written.


Post: New Dentist looking to create a retirement plan for myself thru real estate

Ken M.Posted
  • Investor
  • San Antonio, Dallas
  • Posts 61
  • Votes 26
Quote from @Ian Ippolito:
Quote from @Ken M.:
Quote from @Ian Ippolito:
Quote from @Kyle Jenson:

Hello guys, I found this page through the podcast and the book, Rental Property Investing. Like my title says, I am a dentist in the Kansas City area and am looking at real estate to be my retirement plan. I have been reading many books on finances, rentals, and real estate and feel this is an area I can have more "control" over my investment rather than placing it all in my 401k and hoping for the best. 

With that said, I am in the position where I will not need a monthly income from my rentals. Just looking for some stability and great ways to build equity. Obviously cash flow would be wonderful, but not necessarily needed. I have listened to a podcasts with other doctors talking about this, Anywhere else I can find info or advice or strategies on similar situations? Thank you all. 

Kyle


My father-in-law did this by creating a portfolio that is primarily debt-free single-family rentals in the city he lives in. And I copied that idea for the core of my portfolio (although I also invest in alot of passive deals as well, in the satellite portion for a core-satellite approach).

The idea of debt-free is that if a person is going to retire and has to completely depend on the income, they don't want a severe recession surprising them and causing them to default on the debt and losing the properties.

In a normal world, I would do that as well. We are not in a normal world. Between now and the time you retire, there will be a couple of severe recessions and likely serious inflation. The national debt is approaching $36,000,000,000,000 if the government numbers are to be believed. In addition, the debt of each state is crippling. The US Government and the States have but one way to deal with this, taxes. Or, they can let the system implode and reset. 

Property owners are a prime source for collecting revenue. What is the point behind having paid off real estate, if you lose it later in life to oppressive taxes? I buy real estate but I carry debt which is actually tax deductible, my money works for me. I can release my properties without much loss if I have to. Since I focus on cash flow, I already have the benefits afforded to real estate. Divorce is the number one destroyer of wealth. Plan on staying married no matter how rocky it gets, work through it, it's worth it. It isn't having paid off properties that offers security, there are still taxes, insurance, maintenance and management involved.  Ask the people in Florida who now have sky high insurance and mandatory unplanned assessments, how much value having a paid off property is. It's properly leveraging (not over leveraging) the asset that pays off. 


Ken, Actually both myself and my father-in-law have properties in Florida. So I don't need to "ask people in Florida" about your theories. :)

And you're entitled to your opinion. 

In my opinion, the national debt is a medium-term problem. And there are many possible ways that can be resolved and most don't involve hiking up property taxes so high that most people can no longer afford to be a landlord. 

But let's assume you're right and this is about to happen.

In the situation you're describing, all the leveraged owners of real estate will be the *first* ones to implode right off the bat (and have to turn over the keys to the bank). Look how many died in the Great Recession which was nothing as severe.

On the other hand, the debt-free ones will be in a much stronger and better position to survive (because they have no debt payments to make).  So, you're actually making the argument *against* debt (not for it).

I think you mis-understand debt, risk and the alternatives. If I put all of my eggs in one basket (Florida in this case), paid off property and a hurricane blows everything away, FEMA is nowhere to be found and the insurance companies take years to pay what little claims they actually do pay, I suffer through it in a blown out house. Currently being experienced by plenty of Floridians. 

However, if I take my resources and spread it around, I can weather bad times better. That's my point. If I have highly leveraged properties, as long as they cash flow, the bank takes the risk with me. I could lose my Florida house in a hurricane and move into my North Carolina house or my Tennessee property. If my Tennessee property gets hit by a tornado, I can move to my Alabama place. Plus, I get to experience all kind of great people, food and culture in the meanwhile.

Post: STR sub-to/ portfolio

Ken M.Posted
  • Investor
  • San Antonio, Dallas
  • Posts 61
  • Votes 26
Quote from @Timothy Franklin:

Hey all, I'm new to wholesaling and my first deal is proving challenging, I'm looking for advice or potentially a j/v on dispo. It is a 3 unit airbnb portfolio with each unit in a different city. Would it be better to dispo each location independently or as a whole, and if done as a package deal does this fall under commercial or residential? The portfolio is turnkey/ fully furnished and active. The deal is structured with partial seller financing ($766k) below market rates (varied on each unit). I'm light on capital so paying a mentor isn't an option, but happy to split revenue (pay as I learn).

I don't currently own in Florida, but from what I've read, the challenge is in even getting insurance. And then special assessments on condos. And sink holes. You need to be able to answer those questions for your buyer(s),

Post: Creative Financing for 2025

Ken M.Posted
  • Investor
  • San Antonio, Dallas
  • Posts 61
  • Votes 26
Quote from @V.G Jason:

Are you the same subto guy that's been on the forums the last 2 years that just keeps showing up differently?

Not sure who you are but we've never met, sorry to disappoint you.

Post: Real estate minded CPA

Ken M.Posted
  • Investor
  • San Antonio, Dallas
  • Posts 61
  • Votes 26
Quote from @Basit Siddiqi:

I read through your other post regarding buying properties that you renovate and then list for rent.

You want to have a discussion with your accountant to see how the renovations would be treated. Are any of the improvements 5, 7 or 15 year property?
If yes, they might be eligible for bonus depreciation.

Best of luck to you in your search.

Sorry, I don't think that was my post. At least I don't remember that one. I buy properties "off market" using creative financing in TX, AZ. AL and sell them by lease option pretty much immediately. I don't hang onto them for 5, 7 or 15 years. Never have. It's just my business plan. 

 You got me to thinking though, I went back through my modest lists of posts and didn't find anything remotely close to what you saw, must have been someone else.  https://www.biggerpockets.com/posts/user/kenm286?page=1

Common mistake, when we don't really know each other. No worries.

Post: Residential vs. Commercial Real Estate Investing?

Ken M.Posted
  • Investor
  • San Antonio, Dallas
  • Posts 61
  • Votes 26
Quote from @Basit Siddiqi:
Quote from @Ken M.:
Quote from @Henry Clark:
Quote from @Ken M.:
Quote from @Henry Clark:
Quote from @Ken M.:
Quote from @Henry Clark:

OP commercial can be many types of investments. Most of the bad noise right now is about downtown skyscrapers and REIT or Syndication apartment complexes where they played short term versus long term interest rates wrong. Other commercial and industrial is fine.

Hmm, what didn't you leave out? Building Fire Stations?
Looks like your near San Antonio.   Just made $800,000 profit south of you in Floresville and La Vernia in commercial property.   Instead of being a wise axx.  Get busy making money. 
Cute comment, but it begs the questions:

So tell us, how did you make $800,000 in profit in commercial. Why'd you sell if it's so profitable? What was the interest rate and when you went to refinance what rate were they offering? Could you even get finacing?

 Not a cute comment. Just responding to your negative comment.  Commercial and industrial are many types of investments.  If you personally are having trouble making a profitable deal, make a post and ask for suggestions.  The OP asked a direct question. The great thing about BP there are different people with different perspectives and experiences.  

You can read the full story in our self storage post for that location.  Read through our deals 1 thru 14 and let me know if you have any questions.


Your in or near San Antonio.   There is a $2mm profit deal near New Braunsfel.   A $1mm profit deal in San Antonio.  
.  
Your in Texas.  The greatest property tax sale state.  $10,000 and sale for $50,000.  $8,000 sale for $200,000.  

I'm glad you're having a good time. Ken McElroy, Kiyoski, Bloomberg, Blackrock and the Fed should all ring you up and take some advice from you. ;-)

There is nothing false wiih what @Henry Clark said.

Commercial real estate is broad - Office space, self-storage, Farm, Data centers, residential properties above 4 units, etc

It can be true that one part of commercial real estate is suffering while others is thriving.

Where is it that I said what he said was false?  CPA's should be more careful on details. Mistakes and miscommunication cost people money.

I did ask him to explain his transaction,  not an uncommon request, but he has failed to answer it.

"So tell us, how did you make $800,000 in profit in commercial. Why'd you sell if it's so profitable? What was the interest rate and when you went to refinance what rate were they offering? Could you even get financing?"


Not answering a legitimate question, when making a claim, can be self serving and can lead people to believe the claim is false.

Post: New laws in Oregon now define who can wholesale and what license is required

Ken M.Posted
  • Investor
  • San Antonio, Dallas
  • Posts 61
  • Votes 26
Quote from @Jay Hinrichs:

@James Hamling

@James Wise

@Steve K.

Hey guys interesting new law from State of Oregon on wholesaling and we know this is a huge topic on BP..  Scott, thought this might be interesting for your company and for use in your training and such.. 

Pretty interesting. I'm not a wholesaler, but I follow what they are doing, since I buy off market. 
The guy who claims he is the country's biggest wholesaler and has a "community" says in his video from yesterday Dec 31 (search 

#251 Wholesale Hotline | LIVE Real Estate Investing Q&A if interested in his "technique"  start at 0:39:00 

that the most recent transaction he did

Was bailing out a guy in foreclosure

Guru "bought" the house for $375,000 from the guy in foreclosure
Sold it back to them for $498,000 with a 6 month buy back option period
Seller had to give him $20,000 for the option
So, guru will make about $148,000 on the transaction 
"Never been to the house, never had to lift a finger"
"No renovation, the guy is still in the house"

Is this the kind of thing the new Oregon law is intended to address? 

Lol, I thought seller buy back schemes went away with the last crash and all of the litigation. I don't think he has a clue that some activity has a 10 year statute of limitations. 

Post: New Dentist looking to create a retirement plan for myself thru real estate

Ken M.Posted
  • Investor
  • San Antonio, Dallas
  • Posts 61
  • Votes 26
Quote from @Ian Ippolito:
Quote from @Kyle Jenson:

Hello guys, I found this page through the podcast and the book, Rental Property Investing. Like my title says, I am a dentist in the Kansas City area and am looking at real estate to be my retirement plan. I have been reading many books on finances, rentals, and real estate and feel this is an area I can have more "control" over my investment rather than placing it all in my 401k and hoping for the best. 

With that said, I am in the position where I will not need a monthly income from my rentals. Just looking for some stability and great ways to build equity. Obviously cash flow would be wonderful, but not necessarily needed. I have listened to a podcasts with other doctors talking about this, Anywhere else I can find info or advice or strategies on similar situations? Thank you all. 

Kyle


My father-in-law did this by creating a portfolio that is primarily debt-free single-family rentals in the city he lives in. And I copied that idea for the core of my portfolio (although I also invest in alot of passive deals as well, in the satellite portion for a core-satellite approach).

The idea of debt-free is that if a person is going to retire and has to completely depend on the income, they don't want a severe recession surprising them and causing them to default on the debt and losing the properties.

In a normal world, I would do that as well. We are not in a normal world. Between now and the time you retire, there will be a couple of severe recessions and likely serious inflation. The national debt is approaching $36,000,000,000,000 if the government numbers are to be believed. In addition, the debt of each state is crippling. The US Government and the States have but one way to deal with this, taxes. Or, they can let the system implode and reset. 

Property owners are a prime source for collecting revenue. What is the point behind having paid off real estate, if you lose it later in life to oppressive taxes? I buy real estate but I carry debt which is actually tax deductible, my money works for me. I can release my properties without much loss if I have to. Since I focus on cash flow, I already have the benefits afforded to real estate. Divorce is the number one destroyer of wealth. Plan on staying married no matter how rocky it gets, work through it, it's worth it. It isn't having paid off properties that offers security, there are still taxes, insurance, maintenance and management involved.  Ask the people in Florida who now have sky high insurance and mandatory unplanned assessments, how much value having a paid off property is. It's properly leveraging (not over leveraging) the asset that pays off. 

Post: Learn Everything I can about the Philly Realestate Market/Trends/History

Ken M.Posted
  • Investor
  • San Antonio, Dallas
  • Posts 61
  • Votes 26
Quote from @Don Solt:

Hi folks, 

As the topic states I'm looking to learn everything I can about the City of Philadelphia and its real-estate market. I'm looking for someone is willing to spend time with me and maybe teach/talk/travel around the city some. I'd be willing to pay for your time. Also, any guides, info, or direction would be awesome. 

Reason: I signed a new job offer at a nonprofit yesterday and having extensive knowledge of the real-estate market in Philly would be very helpful. I am not buying, selling, investing or anything related to BP.

DM me if interested

Buying in Kensington is either a total disaster or a very brilliant move, depending on your timeline. Lol

Post: Texas Laws on Out of State Investors

Ken M.Posted
  • Investor
  • San Antonio, Dallas
  • Posts 61
  • Votes 26
Quote from @Audrey Sommer:

A couple weeks ago, I was talking to a texan resident that came up to Washington State to help the company I work at, train our team for a new product launch. I was picking his brain about the attitude and culture of the locals towards real estate investing and out of state investors. He told me the sentiment towards out of state investors isn't good. Texas as a whole bans texas homeowners from re-financing their home to fund investment properties in texas. He also said there are a couple counties in Texas (I forget the names), that ban out of staters from buying investment properties as well. 

Is anyone investing in texas (in long-term rentals) that knows about this and has experience with this? How true is this, and how could that affect my real estate strategy if I were to enter the Texas market as a Washington State resident? Anyone familiar with this that can help shed light, it's appreciated. Thanks! To me, this is a red flag.

He's trying to keep liberals from wanting to move to Texas. Lol.