All Forum Posts by: Matt D.

Hi all,

I'm going to build a new condo apartment (8units) from crash (all utilities such water-hookup, electric, sewer are available). Usually the owner would need to work with an architecture and a developer for such kind of the project. But after doing a bunch of homeworks as reading books (Diary of new construction, Building-Your-Own-Home-Dummies,  The Construction Project Management Success Guide) and also talking with the city, I decided to handle by myself instead of hiring a developer to handle everything.

Basically, I will do all work by working with architecture, structural engineers to get permit approval from the city. From there, I will create a list of tasks (foundation, framing, plywood and insulation, electrical wiring, pluming, HVAC, etc.. )and will get quotes from subcontractors and go from there. This means I will act as a developer.

As I know there is a risk for a newbie in such a big project like this( but it would save me a lot of money and more important it is great learning experience), I would like to humbly ask for advices of the followings:

1/ Is it possible for me to handle all the management given I have done such the homeworks. What else should I know?

2/ What is your advices?

Thank you so much.

This is a great book. I'm looking for a similar diary for a condo apartment. Appreciate in advance.

I think that it's reasonable number as my agent told me about a recentl house in bay area which was built with that budget but you have to know the list of works and then got quotes from sub for each tasks. Great management is needed.

Hi folks,

I am thinking about buying a land and building a multi-family on it. The area is located in SF and San Jose area. This would be my first time doing that and the biggest project ever I have done. Could you please give me some advises?

1/ If you have done that before, what advises do you think you would give me to avoid?

2/ What should I do to organize things in the right away to achieve that?

Thank you so much.

I'm new to investing and i'm going to buy a property in San Mateo area. The problem is that the house was built on slab foundation instead. I am worried in the future if it causes some problems with electrical wiring or pluming, how can it be fixed?

1/ Is there any good material (quick and easy) of understanding about foundation specifically and house building in general.

2/ I had some bad experience with inspection and I don't trust inspector as what had happened with my own house. how to find a good inspector in san mateo area or south bay.

Thanks,

I am considering to buy a sfh in bay area for renting. Usually how much is the cap and coc rate considered as a good investment in bay area?

Thanks Patti for the reply. It was my first post and I need to do some verification.

Dear BP friends,

I knew an RE agent at a starbuck and asked her for finding a RE investment property for me. She has been showing me 2 houses.

Today we looked at an house which wasn't sold recently for some reason. She proposed to talk to the owner by herself and after that I got a call from her that the owner could have not sold the house because she wanted more and the owner did not want to pay the seller and buyer agents for commission. The owner would agree to sell to us by a number which is reasonable to me and If I buy the house I have to compensate the agent separately. But that fact of not paying both seller and buyer agents is something I have heard about the first time. I am also suspicious because the house is in the hot area (silicon valley bay area).

How do I check that fact without screwing up my relationship with the agents?

Also how do I check the rental finance numbers which the owner told us in the right way.

Thank you in advance BP friends.