All Forum Posts by: Martin Zawarski

Assist-To-Sell is a national real estate chain that does fixed listing commission. I do not know if they are in your area, but in my area they are typically frowned upon by other agents. Their pricing of commission policy is frowned upon. Yes realtors would rather show a 3% listing rather than a 2% no matter what price point. For 1%, do you really want to exclude a good number of buyers from seeing your house? I know it's only 1% of your price! but by reducing the commission from 3% to 2% you are reducing their income by 33%.

I wondered about that issue as well when I first got started. I had enough money for the first several deal and as I do more their is sometimes, a greater need for additional cash.

What I have found out us once people in your sphere of influence see how successful you have been, they will be asking if you need additional funds. I could have raised $500,000 in the last four months with my sphere asking me if they could get involved. Always be upfront and let them know what you are working on. There may be a situation where you can buy a group of units and you need additional participants.

Wow, up north I can't believe the insulation standards. How do you achieve a R-75-100. Three layers of 9 1/2" R-30?

Another thing I do in all my homes is I always take the OIL system out and replace it with natural gas if available. If not I change to a heat pump. I do not like oil. It is dirty, smelly and expensive.

adding granite does not add any time to getting a house done. It just another job that has to be scheduled that could run simultaneous or concurrent with other jobs. Once the granite is in, it isn't like BAM the house is now done. You still must do a lot of other things. The finish plumber typically is then putting all the final plumbing in.

I had my last top put in two weeks ago and when they went to put the tops in the kitchen sink was cut in backwards. So they took back all four pieces. I thought they would have left in the two pieces that were fine. He said the new tops would be cut from a different stone and that they might not match. By the next day all new tops were installed. Moral of the story. They can make tops in one day if they need to.

I am confused. What better material is there than granite? Corian and other similar products, concrete, silestone? I do not think these are better products. They have a different look and feel, but I do not consider it a better product

in all the homes I buy there is one thing I always do that helps this problems. It is relatively inexpensive, typically need no maintenance! and will last a very long time. Add some insulation to the home. I have bought two homes in the last year that had no wall insulation. I went through $800 of oil in less than 1 month. After A couple holes in the walls and now a conversion to gas, I will insulate the home at a cost of $3600 and now repair all the plaster walls.

But even newer homes I add additional insulation. Have a insulation installer let you know what could be done to reduce heating costs. 65% of heat loss is through the top floor ceiling. It is obviousness , increase attic insulation. Even though you are burning a fossil fuel, in new homes, basement ceilings still must be insulated. The ventilation of the attic is just as important in the summertime as well.

if you are marketing to developers/builders they will typically want terms. Especially in this market that we are in they would want the sale contingent up all non appeal able approvals are in place. Depending on the state, challengers have 30-120 days to appeal a plan approval to the court contesting whatever they feel may be a misinterpretation . This is what they will ask for if paying top dollar.

If you are selling buy it now, as is where is, just the by right use, then that is a much different number. Significantly lower. Each has its advantages as well as disadvantages. You decide.

You have to find the "new guy" who is hungry enough to do the small jobs. I have found a good new granite guy while he just opened up and gave him business in this competitive field. He takes care of me.

I am not so big on tiled granite tops. But maybe you have a touch for that. Send me some pictures I would like to see your work.

asking price $325,000. You need to get at least $3,250 a month rent to start. Some people shoot for more than 1%. I shoot for 1% after I fix up the home and I tend to go overboard with my fixes. I try to make my buy and holds special by adding granite, tile, hardwood, stainless appliances, new HVAC, and trim such as crown mldg and a three tone paint.(ceiling flat white,walls flat tan, trim semi white) But after I do all that I need my 1%. I just bought a house that needs nothing and is in move in condition and I am still putting $12,000 into it and I am leaving the kitchen go with its vintage 1964 flush pine cabinets and Formica tops.

What will the fix ups be on this investment. Every property need something, even the good ones!