All Forum Posts by: Maimouna Sow

@Edwing Hernandez

I’m currently househacking in Newark NJ

@Jonathan Greene

Very helpful thanks

So yesterday, being that I’m stuck at home, with nothing to do in this quarantine, I decided to do some research and make a list of homes in my neighborhood, a spreadsheet that tells me who owns it, and if it’s vacant, or abandoned or not.

I live in an opportunity zone, I’m Planning on buying more properties in this neighborhood.

Am I wasting time? Or how can I optimize this lead sheet.

As of right now I just did one block, but the opportunity zone has 16 blocks.

I’m using the utility site to tag all of the homes that has active utilities and those that don’t will be tagged inactive. After I have a comprehensive spreadsheet I will then start a marketing Campaign sending out letters to homeowners.

Any ideas how I can optimize this list?

@Rob Norris

Thanks for this post. Is really love to see how you resolve this. I have a feeling a lot people, including my self, will find this useful in the coming months.

Mouna Sow

thank you. 

@Erin Dorsey Robinson

It’s funny how mostly predominantly black neighborhoods are called “war zones” and how that connotation comes with “gang, ghetto, theft, prostitution ...” as someone replied earlier.

It’s just a way to dog whistle “black if bad” without having to actually say it.

I think THATS really the problem.

I Don’t think ppl should be banned from saying it, but just know: WE KNOW WHAT YOU REALLY MEAN.

I’m house hacking in Newark, NJ. It’s fairly easy to see public records of potential tenants in NJ. But I haven’t found a tool for NY yet, specifically NYC, any tips? Preferably something free like in NJ, or under 25$

@Heather De La Cruz

Is cozy an app Or a website? Because I don’t see it in the App Store

@Shawn Legree

I was debating the same question, but I also decided to add NJ to the equation. I recently bought a house in Newark, things are still cheap out here, and I’m still like 50 mins from NY Penn Station. So it’s a good start.

@Brandon Turner

Speaking as an architectural designer:

Off the top of my head I know there’s this thing called grandfather rules, which exempts you, as a new owner from having to fix violations made by a previous owner/builder.

But if you decided to rehab this property, such that the means of egress of the property will be altered or touched, then you would have to bring it up to code.

It also depends on how long ago it was converted.

I would double check this and look up the International Building Codes. You can get the online version for free at the NYC Building Department Site.