All Forum Posts by: Luke Pastore

Hi all! I have 2 single family rentals in Philadelphia, PA. I have been managing them myself for the last 3 years but, with my full time job scaling up, I want to be able to put all my focus on that and pull away from some of the mental energy that these two properties have been taking up. Mainly for maintenance and overall organization of my real estate investments. Does anyone in the Philadelphia area have any PM companies they have been really happy with? Any info or suggestions would be great! 

I an looking for a reliable handyman in East Mt Airy, Philadelphia for some window repairs, basic electrical work, appliance installations, and some brick work. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I would love to find someone who will assist me with all my rentals in this area in the coming years.

I just purchased a rental in East Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, PA. Does anyone have a suggestion on a Philly area handyman? I need some windows replaced, basic electrical work, washer and dryer installations, and a little bit of pointing on the brick. It would be great to fine a “do it all” handyman who can actually do it all to build a strong relationship with as I will be investing in this area for years to come.

I am looking at my first deal on a duplex in Drexel Hill, PA. Does anyone know of any solid, reliable, contractors in this area?

@Brandon Goldsmith thank you Brandon! You’re right. I have met a handful of great people on here and I plan on expanding my network to my local area. I have a few connections with real estate agents and investors within my extended family that might be a nice place to start but I would love more knowledge from those who I have never met before as well. Thank you again for the advice, I am excited to put my head down and work!

@Curt Smith terrific advice, I really appreciate it! Already, I have been reading books, finding videos, and participating in forums like this and I have learned more than I ever thought I could! Now, its time to put it into action and I think a local REIA is a terrific place to start! I look forward to building all kinds of relationships!

Is biggerpockets a good place to get support from a mentor who can share their experiences to someone new to real estate? I am interested in investing in a duplex as my first rental property and would love to connect with someone who has had direct experience on top of my research (reading, researching/just practicing crunching numbers to get it down right. Basically, is it worth looking for a “mentor”?

I am 20 years old, still in college, but I am beginning to look into purchasing a duplex, living in one part and renting the other. It seems like the most logical place to start my real estate investing, given the ability to apply for an FHA loan due to my circumstances. I have been an authorized user on my parents credit card for about 4 years to begin building my credit and I just received my first independent credit card. I know my job now is to continue to build my credit and to continue working. I had an internship that is now a part time job that I will have had all summer and will have through the school year. I have read places that to apply for the FHA loan, most banks require you to have 2 or even 3 lines of credit and most people online recommend getting and paying off two or more credit cards for a few months before looking for a loan.

Would my authorized user card be considered a second card or should I consider a third credit card separate from that? It seems a bit much to simply continue to build credit but I am new to this so I could be wrong!

@Kevin Hunter thank you Kevin! BP looks like a great place to start. I appreciate the response!

I am new to BiggerPockets and I am trying to get an idea of how to go about renting my first duplex. I have much more research to do but I would love an initial tips that anyone has for someone just starting out at 20 years old (where to find the best information, the main things to look for in a duplex, just the basics so I can direct my research!) With no debt at all and a very good credit score, would it still be difficult to get a loan because of my young age? There are many questions here so touching on any or all of them would be a huge help!