All Forum Posts by: Kurt Heise

Adam,

Try using the realtor.com app or website it is updated way more often and displays more useful information if u really want the low-down though to get the best info you are going to need to find away to the mls FYI I have seen a few flips done on these listings but alot of the time people try to aquire unlisted houses which they usually get better deals on but are way harder to find without a solid wholesaler or a good friend that's experienced in investing

Zach,

I can't blame you I would not trust them either. a lot of people in my area fill the tank, include it in the price and advertise free heat. I am an hvac contractor in Richmond va and depending on your climate you also might consider disgaurding the system all together and installing a heat pump so it is included in the electric bill and is one less thing you have to worry about. My main worry for you is if you don't keep an eye on the tanks level you can run out and suck air into the lines which is an instant service call that will cost a hundred dollars or more. As far as putting a lock on the thermostat I think it is a great idea and we have had to do it for landlords before. Honeywell makes the best thermostats in my opinion and I believe somewhere around their 5000 series and up that feature is availible, but I like where your mind is at and it sounds like a viable option to me if you don't want to spend the money on the heat pump.

By the way an easy way to find the correct number would be to type in your locality and zoning ordinances and you should be able to find the correct government department to contact and their phone number

Brandon that sounds like a good plan. I would start by looking up how the land is zoned you would be able to find that out by a tax map which realtors have access to in my area I don't know if it's the same all over but a realtor should know the process of obtaining that info if it is different in where you live It would not hurt to start off by calling your locality and searching for the right person to talk to. as far as the utilities go that sounds good you will save a lot of money by them already being hooked up but I would definatley find the zoning first because that means everything.

Sigh...

So I have read this blog until my eyes have bleed and have actually learned a lot. I am currently looking for an investor in my area to "shadow" and learn more from. I called my local reia about joining and talked to the president for a good little while. He tried selling me a house? I've been told by my friends dad who is very successful in the business that things like this happen all the time and to watch out for people that want to sell you a "good deal" right away which is kind of common sense to me but I just thought it was funny that the guy presented it as a lease to own which I don't know a lot about and have never really paid any attention to because it sounds like a waste of money then when I told the guy that I was not interested he tried to switch over to owner financing to make the offer more "attractive" to me. What is this investors motive? And the main reason I'm so skeptical about the reia is because of what i have continually read on the comments on these forums. I thought it would be the best option for a start. But the more I read about it the more it sounds like a sales meeting vs. an educational/ networking meeting has anyone had any similar experiences or perhaps a different path I should take. I am open to all ideas and appreciate your time thanks

Aaron, thanks for your insight, your response was very helpful!

Michael, im sorry the copper theives keep attacking you, it gets expensive. I am in the HVAC feild and i see it quite often in Richmond as well. My best advice is for you is to talk to your contracter and have a unit gaurd installed. It is a very popular option and worth the the money. it has an alarm that sounds when the "disconnect" is pulled, which is a necessary step for them to steal the unit. also there are locking cages that mount around the condenser. I've seen good results for both in the past. I have only seen these options availible for the condenser though i have personally never known an air handler/furnace to be stolen.

What are the signs to look for in an area and/or neighborhood that it is improving. I know that there is a lot of money to be made if you have the opportunity to buy land/houses in an area that is improving if you catch it at just the right time. I have heard alot of things over time such as "artists are typically the first to move into the area". I always watch one company in particular in my area that seems to continue making good calls when i think otherwise. Just intersted to see who knows what i don't. Would be happy to hear any feed back thanks for your time.