All Forum Posts by: Lisa Donaldson

Originally posted by @Amanda Wallace:

Very interesting, @Yuuj V. - thanks for the update, and look forward to hearing more as you learn more. I'd love to read your full review once you write it, as this seems like a major change to their infrastructure.

 I'd like to read as well! I have 2 properties with HU and find the PM side the worst part. Too many surprise fees, no documentation on the work that was done. I am looking forward to when they get out of the middle and let me work with the on the ground PM directly.

What are thoughts on Woodlawn for a 5-10 year buy and hold strategy? I’m currently looking at a MFH with great cash flow and ROI. Do you think the neighborhood will appreciate a bit given the upcoming development?

I invest from 10k+ miles away so don’t stress too much about the distance. It really is the team that makes it a successful project, not the miles. I completely agree with the previous comments about a good property manager. It will make or break in my opinion. Also look into filling any vacancies while you are in the final stages...There’s ways to do it so all the hard work is done and the tenant can move in right after closing. Also, make sure to ask for credits for occupied units. You’ll need to do a turnover when they leave at some point and it will need paint at a bare minimum. Lastly, for any occupied units, look at their leases, how long they’ve been there, if they pay on time and see when the lease ends and ask the current owner to re-up their lease (if you want to keep them). I like buying places with tenants in them so I start making money day one. Best of luck! Do keep us posted!

@Jon Tuttle Nice to meet you! Please do let me know if you have any luck convincing the banks of this...would be so much easier than the U.S. Embassy nonsense!

Also, have you found any U.S. investing groups here? I was thinking about starting one...

Hi @Leo Furest - you travel every month! Wow!

How has Detroit been treating you?

Hi @Fernando E.! Thanks for your note. I am from the Bay Area originally and yes, it is crazy expensive! Would love to hear more about what kind of deals you are finding in Indianapolis!

Hi @Sam Bastin - welcome to BP! I am new here as well and am a long-distance investor living in Singapore. I suspect we have a lot in common trying to understand what we are buying from a distance!

I have 2 SFH properties in the Cleveland area that I bought with an end-to-end investor service. The next homes I buy will be direct as I don't feel the need to have a middleman...you just need a really good realtor on the ground! Overall, I have had generally good experience so far renting them out with only some minor issues with evictions.

Best of luck as you navigate the US property market and do feel free to reach out if there's anything I can assist with!

Thanks @Brandon Sturgill!

Hi @Mindi Rosser - I wish I had a backyard I could invest in! My biggest issue is that I don't have that local market knowledge of which neighborhoods are good/bad, so I am really relying on my realtor there (who I also have never met!)  

I like multi-families at the moment, I think there's better efficiencies and reduced risk. Are you finding any good ones in NW IN?! I'd be keen to explore how we might be able to work together once you get your real estate license! Let me know!?

Lisa Donaldson 

@Jeff Burdick Thanks! I am keeping an eye on what's coming up in West Chicago, Humbolt Park, etc... but definitely open to other cities and states as well. Where are your deals?