All Forum Posts by: Lindsay Diven

Hi there,

I have been a lurker and learner for years. I am finally in a place to start taking action (financially, spouse on board, etc.). We are under contract for our first investment property and should close in a few weeks. It's a SFR in Gainesville, FL that needs some rehab. The goal is to rent it out. It's not strictly a BRRRR, but we will be deploying that strategy moving forward.

My background is in marketing in the engineering/architecture industry for the past 15 years. I also launched an online marketing course last year (part of that is funding our RE). My husband has been working in construction for the past 15 years too. We have two kids and a labradoodle. We have lived in South Florida and Orlando where we purchased and updated our homes before selling. Two years ago we moved back home to the city of our alma mater (Go Gators!) to be closer to family and live a slower pace of life. Now that our careers are a bit less stressful and our primary house renovation is complete, we knew it's time to start our real estate investing.

Our goal for 2020 is to add three properties to our portfolio. 

I am happy to be here and taking action (finally)!

Lindsay

Hi everyone! I am new to Bigger Pockets and trying to find others to connect to in the Gainesville area. It looks like I just missed the last meet-up but would love to attend the next one. I am new to real estate investing and currently under contract on our first deal which should be closing in a few weeks. 

@Shawn K Hicks we are new to real estate investing (under contract with our first deal) and Bigger Pockets. We live and invest in the Gainesville area. We just missed this meet up. I would love to know when you have your next one. 

Thanks,

Lindsay

Hi @Andres Verney ! I am also in Orlando. We are in the process of designing our first new build in the Cape Canaveral area. It will be a 3/2 duplex steps from the beach. I would love to connect to see how we can work together in the future. I am going to send you a colleague request.

@Michelle Elsaid - I missed this one, but have the Aug 2nd event on my calendar. I will be a newbie but am eager to grow. Thanks!

You definitely want to call either the city or county zoning departments. You want to make sure the zoning is listed for the proper use. If not, it will take lots of time and money to get it zoned for the proper use (multi-family, commercial, etc.) Sometimes you can find that on their website. Then you can search in the property clerk's records to see who previously owned the land and what their uses were. You want to stay away from any use like gas stations, auto repair, dry cleaners, etc. that would require environmental remediation. That will cost a ton and require environmental engineers.

It might be worth it to pay a few hundred dollars to a civil engineer or surveyor to do this search for you. 

If it is clear, then move forward!

If it is adjacent to transportation station and/or you are building for low-income, look for potential grants for TOD (transit oriented design), HUD or beautification-related functions. In many blighted areas that are trying to redevelop, they create Community Redevelop Agencies (CRAs) or something similar to provide funding. It may not help with construction, but will help with landscaping, parking, etc.

Good luck! 

We recently purchased a lot steps from the beach and will be constructing a small multi-family. 

Welcome!

Welcome! Another newbie in Orlando here too.

Congrats @Andrew Davis. Sounds like a stressful but successful week!