All Forum Posts by: Ryan Schuler

Hey BP community!

I am trying to get more adept at doing larger rehabs and I had a conversation with a friend the other day who is having a house built. Talking with them, I realized that builders have general timelines of when things need to be completed and when decisions need to be made by the homeowner- director of the build. I was wondering if anyone had a general guideline they could send that outlines basic order of operations, ideal timelines, and when different finishes need to be selected by the homeowner/prospective build client- cabinets/countertops/siding/paint/plumbing fixtures/light fixtures, etc. 

I will be using this moving forward to try and get better at planning when doing remodel jobs to have stricter timelines and order things at the right time.

Thanks!

Ryan

Hey Everyone,

Just wondering who you use in Memphis, TN as your accountant? Preferably would like to work with someone who is well versed in the tax code as it pertains to real estate so that I can make sure that I am maximizing my returns moving forward with my investing. I am actively seeking someone that can do my taxes for this year, but also who can direct me a little bit for decisions in the future so that I can make sure I am not missing out on tax benefits and avoiding tax pitfalls.

I would like someone local, but if you know someone outside of Memphis that is great and can work remote/skype that has a good reputation I am open to that as well.

Thanks BP Community!

Ryan

@Laura Williams thanks for the reply! I think we are going to go with a waterproof vinyl tile. Haven't decided on whether we will grout, but it looks great and the video makes it look fairly simple to execute. If we did I would also do dark grout lines. My only worry with the peel/stick is the underneath surface and whether it will adhere well. We'll find out!

@Laura Williams I found this thread from a few years ago and love the look of the kitchen you renovated. I am going to be doing something similar- almost same size too. I was wondering how the groutable tile has held up? I was just looking at Lowe's at some yesterday and was curious about its durability? Did you lay it and grout it yourself? Do you just peel and stick it with spacers and then grout in-between?

Hey Guys,

I just closed on my second property, and now have 3 properties (1 Personal, 2 Investment) plus my car insured through State Farm.

Just wondering if you might have recommendations on some other places to get insurance through that might have better rates? Especially since I plan to continue to buy properties, I am not sure if there is a limit that State Farm has on # of properties under the same policyholder.

Let me know what you think and your experience with any different companies! Thanks!

@Rick Wad

I don’t have the dimensions off-hand but I would say the entire width is about 12-13 feet on each side all the way back

@Parker Eberhard

I considered this and it is still in play, but still have the same problem with the second bedroom as far as the windows go. Plus I would need to move all the kitchen plumbing to the other bedroom, so it would drive costs a little more.

Overall cost for the duplex was $65k, and it needs AC (none right now) so we are already looking at about $10-11k in construction just with that, so I am trying to figure out the most cost-effective solution.

If I moved the bathroom it would be somewhat expensive as well because I would have to move the toilet and sink, and I’m not sure there would be enough space for a hallway there.

Hey guys,

I just bought a 1932 built duplex in Memphis, TN and the layout is kinda weird. I would like to change it. Both sides are shotgun style front to back. I’d like your input. Both sides are laid out like this, if I can explain:

(Back of the house)

Kitchen (plumbing on inside wall of duplex)

Bedroom 2

Bathroom (plumbing on inside wall of duplex)

Bedroom 1

Living Room

Front porch

The problem is there is no hallway from the front to the back of the house. You have to walk from the living room through BR1, then through BR2 to get to the kitchen, eliminating privacy in both bedrooms.

Here is my question- if I make a hallway along the outside wall of each unit and put actual doorways in front of each bedroom then there will be no windows for the bedrooms. I think this is against code, so I am trying to find a way around it.

Is this against TN code? And if so... would a header with 2 sliding barn doors still be considered “closing off the room” or could I get away with it as basically a “fancy curtain”?

Thanks!

@Dave Rav

How do you know what the correct specs are or what you need without being in the field of expertise? Isn’t that the point of the sales person?

Just curious how you do it to figure out what you need.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone!

A friend of mine is Trying to decide on a new heating unit. He said that he was quoted $10,000 for a Lennox unit with all new install, or $7000 for a York system with the same equipment that is there (which the sales guy said was fine and didn’t require a full renovation). Previous system lasted 17 years.

My buddy is wondering which system will be better long term.

Any thoughts from any hvac guys or people who have a lot of properties? System will be installed just north of Philadelphia.

Thanks!