All Forum Posts by: Ashley Norris

I think that it was really nice to hear another strategy that is being implemented in the same city or geographic area.  The few big take aways for me that I learned included, a new trick about how closets are expensive to build and why corners in basements should be avoided.  

As a final take away, it is important to keep in mind that everyone's experiences are different and one strategy may not work for others.  Don't get discouraged if someone tells you your idea is "different" from the way they would do it or if no one else is doing your idea.  

Great event @Marcus Auerbach thanks again for hosting!  If someone attended, could you click "attend" above?  There are a couple of people I did not get the chance to exchange contact information with before I left for the evening.  I enjoyed meeting everyone and I am looking forward to staying in touch!  Thanks again Marcus, great business model.

Sounds cool.  I would be interested in hearing more about your ideas for tiny homes in Atlanta.  

Don't have a structural referral right now, sorry.

I was unable to attend, how did the meeting go?  I am looking forward to the next one.  Nicole, should I just continue to follow you on the forum for next meeting updates?

Anyone who attend have any good stories they would like to share from their time at the meeting?

Unfortunately, I will not be in town for this one.  Thank for organizing this.

You know Omar, @Joshua Martin??  He was on my real estate development course project team this past year.  I've been following your posts on Bigger Pockets.  We should meet for coffee sometime.

I do Airbnb and I have overall had a positive experience hosting.  I host rooms out of the home that I own and live in.  I have considered purchasing a home or apartment in Milwaukee and attempting airbnb more full-time for the entire space.  I believe that empty spaces (without the host living in the home) get more hits.  I currently rented out for 12 nights at $1200 and got $500 this past weekend from two different guests for a total of two nights.  It is Summerfest season, so prices are higher than normal.  Usually, we are priced around $85/night and we have consistent people staying on the weekends.  

Thanks for eveyone's feedback so far.  For reference, here is an article about a team in Vancouver that did something similar to what I have in mind.  It is definitely out of the box.  

http://www.vancouverheritagefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/11.03.2010-Union-st.-pdf.pdf

To your point @Jason Hirko if the cost is more than another unit, I see why it wouldn't be worth it.  The only "UNLESS" consideration I can think of is to consider a location that "CAN'T BE BEAT".  Unfortunately, there are few locations in Milwaukee like this within my budget.

Looking forward to hearing more feedback from everyone.

Hello BP,

This is my first post and it may be an odd question for someone as early as I am in the business.  This one is for my contractors who may know a little or specialize in house raising.  I live in Milwaukee and there are a lot of "Polish Flats" where the older homes were raised to allow for egress and entrance into a lower level unit to accommodate a larger family size (inter generational living).  

In certain parts of Milwaukee, there are a lot of homes that could BECOME a more modern version of the old school polish flat style of living and would also double the units on a single lot.  I am assuming that the process of raising a home is extremely expensive and that is why no one else does it anymore (unless absolutely necessary).  BiggerPockets claims to be a fantastic place to get expert feedback, so I thought I would start here.

If you have a home that is built in the early 1900s or late 1800s with approximately 850 - 1000 sq ft, A-Frame style home.  What would be a rough cost estimate for raising a home by no more than 3 ft.  Some of these homes already have tall basements but need a little help to be able to potentially be considered having a first floor apartment (instead of a being a single family home).

I attached a link that provides an example of the style of home I am referencing.  I know that prices are subject to change based on geographic location.  In general, I am hoping to understand estimated costs AND to gain a better understanding of the process (is this terribly unrealistic or feasible based on scale).

http://u.zillow.com/p2jtLC/

Thanks!  I am looking forward to feedback from my first post.

 Hi Dawn,

Where does WINGS meet?  I would love to attend but will be out of town this month on the 28th.  Thanks for posting this great info!