All Forum Posts by: Matthew Couto

Mindy Jensen thanks for all you and the BP team do!! How can I, a real estate investor and a W-2 employee utilize these savings? If I understand correctly 1) My wife and I are partners on our properties- we would discuss at dinner our plans for growth monthly, meals and entertainment are gone? 2) This benefits the self employed mostly? Real estate agent for example. 3) what are some loop holes that we could utilize that maybe we aren’t now? -Matt

Hey BP Community, I'm a new to the forums and discussions sort of. I've been around for a few months and I just decided to post and introduce myself because I want to get more involved in the real estate investing community! My name is Matthew Couto (Matt is fine) I've listened to almost all the BP PODCASTS - I own a total of 7 units, currently have a 6 unit under contract! Looking for 20 by the end of this year! New Hampshire is my home! I’m hoping to meet like minded individuals, who I can help in any way! If there is anything I can help with let me know! I’m always open to ideas! Favorite book is “Richest Man in Babylon” -Matt

@alex corral What’s your end goal? Are you looking at this as a retirement or to get into real estate and make this your full time income? Full time income - I’d go 20yrs, 30yrs for me is to long! But as a income you need CASHFLOW!! but for a few bucks more you could be free of the debt 10yrs sooner! (Mine are all at 15-20yrs) longer term = more cashflow SIMPLE. As a retirement - your not looking for income per se your looking for tax advantages and appreciation - I’d still go 20yrs I just couldn’t fathom taking 30years to pay for a property! Your going to get a 100 different opinions about how to go about it, everyone has a reason to do it there way - for me, 15-20 years I’ll have enough to do whatever I want and not worry about paying the mortgage which always equals to less stress - that’s my 2cents!

Michael Guzik I’m in between! I help out as much as I can!! During the holidays especially, what I have noticed is this. 1) I treat my tenants like people & with respect and 99% of the time they do the same! 2) Crap happens in life! If your able to help, why not?! 3) When I allow a late payment with no fees, my tenants have always paid! I’m fortunate, I’ve screened great tenants and while I never give away money I do allow them to pay late with no fees, I never charge late fees and they appreciate how understandable I am, they really don’t want to disappoint me! It’s a win win! Just my 2cents! Merry Christmas all!

Kristen, I have a multi family property that was build in 1877 - fortunately this one has been foreclosed on 2x’s in the past 30yrs and both times was flipped by the same local family!!! Yes, I was hesitant purchasing this property because of the age, but in my opinion with a great home inspector especially one who has experience with older homes it could be well worth your time, most of these multis/homes are usually priced below it’s true value!! I hope my 2 cents of experience has helped!

Max Briggs - the concepts are simple to understand, the cash flow quadrant makes sense to everyone, it’s a book for the masses, especially those in the beginning, I think that’s why it’s been a best seller for years! It’s also the first RE book I ever read, but the way he repeats him self in almost everyone of his books is mind boggling!

@Austin Fox ,

I'm new to Bigger pockets, but from my experience a PM is most of the time not invested in the property. I currently self manage my buildings, but I have used 2 different PM's in the past.

Both I had zero luck with, the more rentals I would buy the more money I would lose to excessive costs or past due rents etc.  Fired both, took over the management, yes it was a learning curve, but the calls/emergencys are limited to bi-monthly.

I have a fulltime job 60+hrs weekly with a wife and kids ;)

I have a checking account per tenant at the same bank, they deposit the rents, I do not have to collect rents, this works for me, doesn't always work for others!

Thanks!