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All Forum Posts by: Ka Vang

Ka Vang has started 2 posts and replied 24 times.

Post: RentToRetirement.com Review - Beware of this scam

Ka Vang
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • NA
  • Posts 24
  • Votes 20
Quote from @Richard Schubert:
Quote from @Ka Vang:
Quote from @Ivana Ivanovic:
Quote from @Ka Vang:

My experience working with RTR and their affiliates have been both good and bad. I have had direct conversations here on BP with Zach and he is a pretty humble guy with a wealth of knowledge. It'd be great if he could be the one to work directly with all of his investor clients but I guess that's what his investment strategists are for. I will say that RTR is not a scam, they are legit. Their ads are very appealing to new investors and those interested in turnkey (like myself). However, I do think there is opportunity for improvement on their process and maybe even the communication as well. The process from start to finish is not as smooth as I would like but it's not awful. Then again, I am that rookie investor that has a TON of questions all the time. I would say that my problem or "bad" experience isn't really with RTR directly, its more so with their affiliates like the property provider or lender or property manager, etc. and I don't know how much control RTR has with their affiliates. On a positive note, I guess I could say I do appreciate that RTR exist and because I decided to use them I was able to use their resources/affiliates. But after getting to a certain point in the process (keep in mind I haven't closed yet) I am left feeling extremely nervous with what the future holds on this property as far as some things go. Overall, I would agree with some other reviews that I've seen...you will either hate them or love them. It all really comes down to what your investment goals are. RTR may or may not be for you.


 What are your good experiences seeing that you have not closed on a property, have no idea how it will perform, and don't like the communication nor their affiliates (which are a big promised part of the turnkey deal)????? 

I understand your concerns. My good experiences come from the knowledge I've gained and the initial support I received from RTR. While I haven't closed yet doesn’t mean that I am not closing. Actually, I do have a close date. From a number standpoint (after doing my own due diligence) it works and should perform number wise. The performance of the property management? Of course no one ever knows until it’s in action. I don’t think I said I did not like their affiliates. You might have misread it. I said my bad experience was with their affiliates, there’s a difference. Sure there were communication challenges and that’s where I stated they and their affiliates can improve on. My review reflects both my optimism and my apprehensions as a new investor, and I'm still navigating the process. Thanks for your question.

If you need a second opinion on a neighborhood I live, invest, and work in the area.
@Richard Schubert

I’d love to get your insights on the neighborhood since you have firsthand experience. Locals say Goodyear Heights closer to Tallmadge is better than most surrounding areas in Akron. What are your thoughts on this?

I’m sure every city has areas that should be avoided, so your perspective would be invaluable for many.



Post: RentToRetirement.com Review - Beware of this scam

Ka Vang
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • NA
  • Posts 24
  • Votes 20
Quote from @Ivana Ivanovic:
Quote from @Ka Vang:

My experience working with RTR and their affiliates have been both good and bad. I have had direct conversations here on BP with Zach and he is a pretty humble guy with a wealth of knowledge. It'd be great if he could be the one to work directly with all of his investor clients but I guess that's what his investment strategists are for. I will say that RTR is not a scam, they are legit. Their ads are very appealing to new investors and those interested in turnkey (like myself). However, I do think there is opportunity for improvement on their process and maybe even the communication as well. The process from start to finish is not as smooth as I would like but it's not awful. Then again, I am that rookie investor that has a TON of questions all the time. I would say that my problem or "bad" experience isn't really with RTR directly, its more so with their affiliates like the property provider or lender or property manager, etc. and I don't know how much control RTR has with their affiliates. On a positive note, I guess I could say I do appreciate that RTR exist and because I decided to use them I was able to use their resources/affiliates. But after getting to a certain point in the process (keep in mind I haven't closed yet) I am left feeling extremely nervous with what the future holds on this property as far as some things go. Overall, I would agree with some other reviews that I've seen...you will either hate them or love them. It all really comes down to what your investment goals are. RTR may or may not be for you.


 What are your good experiences seeing that you have not closed on a property, have no idea how it will perform, and don't like the communication nor their affiliates (which are a big promised part of the turnkey deal)????? 

I understand your concerns. My good experiences come from the knowledge I've gained and the initial support I received from RTR. While I haven't closed yet doesn’t mean that I am not closing. Actually, I do have a close date. From a number standpoint (after doing my own due diligence) it works and should perform number wise. The performance of the property management? Of course no one ever knows until it’s in action. I don’t think I said I did not like their affiliates. You might have misread it. I said my bad experience was with their affiliates, there’s a difference. Sure there were communication challenges and that’s where I stated they and their affiliates can improve on. My review reflects both my optimism and my apprehensions as a new investor, and I'm still navigating the process. Thanks for your question.

Post: RentToRetirement.com Review - Beware of this scam

Ka Vang
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • NA
  • Posts 24
  • Votes 20

My experience working with RTR and their affiliates have been both good and bad. I have had direct conversations here on BP with Zach and he is a pretty humble guy with a wealth of knowledge. It'd be great if he could be the one to work directly with all of his investor clients but I guess that's what his investment strategists are for. I will say that RTR is not a scam, they are legit. Their ads are very appealing to new investors and those interested in turnkey (like myself). However, I do think there is opportunity for improvement on their process and maybe even the communication as well. The process from start to finish is not as smooth as I would like but it's not awful. Then again, I am that rookie investor that has a TON of questions all the time. I would say that my problem or "bad" experience isn't really with RTR directly, its more so with their affiliates like the property provider or lender or property manager, etc. and I don't know how much control RTR has with their affiliates. On a positive note, I guess I could say I do appreciate that RTR exist and because I decided to use them I was able to use their resources/affiliates. But after getting to a certain point in the process (keep in mind I haven't closed yet) I am left feeling extremely nervous with what the future holds on this property as far as some things go. Overall, I would agree with some other reviews that I've seen...you will either hate them or love them. It all really comes down to what your investment goals are. RTR may or may not be for you.

Post: Has anyone here successfully used a HELOC on a buy & hold property?

Ka Vang
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • NA
  • Posts 24
  • Votes 20

I understand the concern about using a HELOC for a down payment and the potential challenges with cash flow. I appreciate the recommendation to save up for a down payment instead. I'm weighing the pros and cons carefully and considering my options. Thank you for the advice!

Post: Has anyone here successfully used a HELOC on a buy & hold property?

Ka Vang
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • NA
  • Posts 24
  • Votes 20

Hello BP community,

I'm exploring different financing strategies for my next investment property and am considering using a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) as the down payment for a buy-and-hold property.

Has anyone here successfully used a HELOC for this purpose? I'd love to hear about your experiences, including any challenges you faced and how you managed the process. Specifically, I'm interested in learning:

-How you structured the financing (e.g., terms of the HELOC, overall investment strategy).
-Any issues or advantages you encountered with using a HELOC in this way.
-Tips for managing the HELOC and property finances effectively.

Others have advised that a HELOC only makes sense for short term use, not long term due to it's variable rate and risk of over leveraging. Hence, I plan to pay the HELOC off as aggressively as I can.

    Thanks in advance for any insights you can share!

    Post: Hi! New to Real Estate Investing

    Ka Vang
    Posted
    • New to Real Estate
    • NA
    • Posts 24
    • Votes 20
    Quote from @Edwin Watson:

    Congratulations on making the leap, and welcome to the BiggerPockets Community! My team and I are located in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas; however, I've heard nothing but great things about the Milwaukee and Madison areas. I'd love to hear more about your experiences as you move forward. Good luck!

    Thank you!

    Post: Hi! New to Real Estate Investing

    Ka Vang
    Posted
    • New to Real Estate
    • NA
    • Posts 24
    • Votes 20
    Quote from @Gregory Chadwell:
    Quote from @Ka Vang:

    Hi BP community! I am from Wisconsin. My husband and I are new to real estate investing and currently seeking for our first rental property investment, preferably a multifamily (2-4 unit) home. We are excited to embark on this new journey.

    As newbies in the industry, we are eager to learn and grow through hands-on experience and expert guidance. I've been watching a lot of videos, listening to podcasts, and reading books to educate us on real estate investing.

    We are in the process of seeking an agent as well as mentorship from seasoned professionals to navigate the complexities of the market today. Any REI advice or recommendations for newbies are welcome and appreciated.

    Criteria:
    Location - We'd like to get our feet wet locally in WI but open to venture out if it makes sense
    Property Type - SFH, Multifamily
    Property Condition - Turnkey & Cosmetic repairs
    Investment Strategy - Buy & Hold, MTR

     HI Ka and welcome!  I have been investor for 30 years here and i saw a portfolio of 4 families that just hit the market please reach out if you would like more info on them! 

    Thank you

    Greg

    Thank you!

    Post: Hi! New to Real Estate Investing

    Ka Vang
    Posted
    • New to Real Estate
    • NA
    • Posts 24
    • Votes 20
    Quote from @Marcus Auerbach:
    Quote from @Ka Vang:
    Quote from @Marcus Auerbach:

    Milwaukee is an interesting market (I've been investing here for 15 years) but with 1.6 million people in the metro area and neighborhoods famously changing block-by-block, location is critical. And it's not as cheap as many think, especially in quality areas. You can see that days on market are much longer in rough areas than in higher priced ones (like 90 days vs 5). 

    We have a chronic housing shortage, which results in an extremely hot rental market, but it also makes buying very competitive. The age of our housing stock and the capex that comes with it should also not be ignored. We have seen steady appreciation around 7-8% over the last 10 years (you can look that up on YouTube) and are on track to another 8% year so far. Without an influx in new construction we are probably going to stay on this path, because outside of 600k new construction in the suburbs, we only have what we have in terms of houses.

    Wisconsin is generally a landlord-friendly state, but Dane County (Madison) keeps getting more and more landlord-unfriendly, Milwaukee is definitively better in that regard.

    @Ed Riggenbach is definitely a person I would talk to about property management, WHM also has a very informative website.


    Thank you for the detailed insight into the Milwaukee market! It's helpful to understand the nuances, especially regarding the  block-by-block differences and the competitive buying environment during this time. The steady appreciation and hot rental market sounds promising. I appreciate the tip about Ed and WHM - I'll be sure to check them out. If you have any other advice for someone new to investing in Milwaukee, I'd love to hear it. Thanks again!


    Buy as much quality as you can. The literally single biggest mistake that people make is to buy a class D property, because it was cheap to begin with, 90+ days on market and they were able to negotiate a "discount" - ask them a year later how that worked out for them. 

    Here is something you can check out: most 300k duplxes in Milwaukee sell in 2 days with multiple offers from local investors. Most 150k duplexes sit on the market for months with no offer. Why is that?

    You don't need to make all your money on your first deal, but if your first deal turns out to be a headache (or worse) there will never be a second deal. Adopt a long-term mindset from the start: will you be happy in 10 years from now that you bought this property?

    Finally, every property I have ever bought I always felt I was paying too much (at the time). A few years later that looks very different. Back to my first point, buy as much quality as you can afford.

    Thank you for the insightful advice. It’s a good reminder to prioritize quality over what might seem like a good deal at first glance. Your point about long-term mindset really resonates with me; it’s crucial to consider how a property will perform over the years rather than just the initial cost. The example you provided with Milwaukee duplexes is very telling. I’ll definitely keep this in mind as I evaluate potential investments. Thanks again for sharing your experience!

    Post: Hi! New to Real Estate Investing

    Ka Vang
    Posted
    • New to Real Estate
    • NA
    • Posts 24
    • Votes 20
    Quote from @Jimmy Lieu:
    Quote from @Ka Vang:
    Quote from @Jimmy Lieu:
    Quote from @Ka Vang:

    Hi BP community! I am from Wisconsin. My husband and I are new to real estate investing and currently seeking for our first rental property investment, preferably a multifamily (2-4 unit) home. We are excited to embark on this new journey.

    As newbies in the industry, we are eager to learn and grow through hands-on experience and expert guidance. I've been watching a lot of videos, listening to podcasts, and reading books to educate us on real estate investing.

    We are in the process of seeking an agent as well as mentorship from seasoned professionals to navigate the complexities of the market today. Any REI advice or recommendations for newbies are welcome and appreciated.

    Criteria:
    Location - We'd like to get our feet wet locally in WI but open to venture out if it makes sense
    Property Type - SFH, Multifamily
    Property Condition - Turnkey & Cosmetic repairs
    Investment Strategy - Buy & Hold, MTR


    Hi Ka, welcome to the BiggerPockets community! If you're interested in SFH and multifamily homes, I suggest checking out Columbus OH - it's an amazing market to start investing in especially for the buy and hold strategy. My out-of-state clients love it here because they are able to purchase cashflowing, 1% deals and that have tons of appreciation. The macroeconomics here is great - lots of job growth, population growth, and companies moving here like Intel, Meta, Google, Amazon, Honda, etc. Happy to connect and answer any questions you may have.

    Thank you for the warm welcome! I really appreciate the insight about Columbus, OH. It sounds like a fantastic market for both SFH and multifamily investments, especially with the growth and opportunities you mentioned.

    Absolutely! I actually moved from Portland OR to Columbus OH because of the amazing market. I started with house hacking, purchased my own rentals then grew to a 7-figure portfolio. I always tell my clients that anything you buy in Columbus OH now will blow up and appreciate like crazy because of the continuous growth in this market. Feel free to reach out if you have questions!

    That’s incredible to hear! Your success story from Portland to Columbus is really inspiring. House hacking and growing to a 7-figure portfolio is impressive. The potential in Columbus, especially with the continuous growth you mentioned sounds promising. Thanks for sharing your experience and advice!

    Post: Hi! New to Real Estate Investing

    Ka Vang
    Posted
    • New to Real Estate
    • NA
    • Posts 24
    • Votes 20
    Quote from @Jimmy Lieu:
    Quote from @Ka Vang:

    Hi BP community! I am from Wisconsin. My husband and I are new to real estate investing and currently seeking for our first rental property investment, preferably a multifamily (2-4 unit) home. We are excited to embark on this new journey.

    As newbies in the industry, we are eager to learn and grow through hands-on experience and expert guidance. I've been watching a lot of videos, listening to podcasts, and reading books to educate us on real estate investing.

    We are in the process of seeking an agent as well as mentorship from seasoned professionals to navigate the complexities of the market today. Any REI advice or recommendations for newbies are welcome and appreciated.

    Criteria:
    Location - We'd like to get our feet wet locally in WI but open to venture out if it makes sense
    Property Type - SFH, Multifamily
    Property Condition - Turnkey & Cosmetic repairs
    Investment Strategy - Buy & Hold, MTR


    Hi Ka, welcome to the BiggerPockets community! If you're interested in SFH and multifamily homes, I suggest checking out Columbus OH - it's an amazing market to start investing in especially for the buy and hold strategy. My out-of-state clients love it here because they are able to purchase cashflowing, 1% deals and that have tons of appreciation. The macroeconomics here is great - lots of job growth, population growth, and companies moving here like Intel, Meta, Google, Amazon, Honda, etc. Happy to connect and answer any questions you may have.

    Thank you for the warm welcome! I really appreciate the insight about Columbus, OH. It sounds like a fantastic market for both SFH and multifamily investments, especially with the growth and opportunities you mentioned.