Skip to content
×
PRO
Pro Members Get Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
$0
TODAY
$69.00/month when billed monthly.
$32.50/month when billed annually.
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here
Pick markets, find deals, analyze and manage properties. Try BiggerPockets PRO.
x
All Forum Categories
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

All Forum Posts by: Micah Brown

Micah Brown has started 3 posts and replied 14 times.

Post: New Member in Charlotte!

Micah BrownPosted
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Charlotte, NC
  • Posts 14
  • Votes 4

Welcome

Post: Sleepy Towns

Micah BrownPosted
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Charlotte, NC
  • Posts 14
  • Votes 4

Rocky Mount.  I know for sure there is farm land out there that is decent but the "down town" part is not the business.  

Post: Sleepy Towns

Micah BrownPosted
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Charlotte, NC
  • Posts 14
  • Votes 4

Agreed.  I think you would literally have to buy the whole town and reinvent it.  

Post: Sleepy Towns

Micah BrownPosted
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Charlotte, NC
  • Posts 14
  • Votes 4

I went to go see a house a few weeks ago that based on the numbers was a killer deal. I made the mistake of being too excited by the deal and hopped in the car with my partners for a 3 hour ride to this little town in central NC. I knew the house was 45 minutes from three major universities so I just jumped at it. We pulled into the town on a Saturday afternoon and there were no people on the roads. 4 out of 5 businesses were boarded up, the police station was the largest building and the houses were for the most part, run down shacks. A lot of 2 or 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom mill houses. The house we saw was a complete tear down project, even though I was told different. ARV would have significantly priced the house out of what that particular market would bare. It wasn't a total loss as we picked up a lead on a much better investment and are making an offer on that house but is there any money to be made in these run down towns across America? Have any of you guys/gals invested in a sleepy town successfully?

Post: Learning how to renovate.

Micah BrownPosted
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Charlotte, NC
  • Posts 14
  • Votes 4

Ross, whatever your motivation, at the end of the day your desire to learn a new set of skills and a positive attitude will open up doors for you.  Stay open minded and don't shy away from hard work.  Be sure to ask questions and listen closely.  What we do is not for those who don't have a strong sense of confidence and trust in themselves and those providing the opportunity for growth.  Bill is absolutely correct about safety and the need for practice.  I still measure three times just to be sure be fore I cut once.  Seeing the customer satisfied with the finished product and positive growth in your bank account is worth the sacrifices and efforts you are about to make.  And don't forget to have fun with it.  

Post: Apartment Renovation NYC

Micah BrownPosted
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Charlotte, NC
  • Posts 14
  • Votes 4

Call Joe at Brown Renovations @ 201-893-2419.  He is my old man and does beautiful work for investors and real estate agents.  I know his website is under construction but he wouldn't have a problem sending you photos for proof of quality.  He is also licensed and insured.  

Post: Learning how to renovate.

Micah BrownPosted
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Charlotte, NC
  • Posts 14
  • Votes 4

Where have the days of a good apprenticeship gone?  Anytime I wanted to learn something I always had luck speaking with "the boss" and expressing interest in learning. Even if it's only a day or two a week.  Formal education or informal, just get started.  Go to Home Depot or Lowe's in their book sections.  They have all kinds of books that break down specifically how to do everything from applying joint compound, or laying tile, or even proper demo techniques.  If you are thinking about adding a bathroom or jacking up a floor....lol, please get help first.  My point is there are many resources including YouTube and BiggerPockets, Lowe's/HD and even your local contractors and possibly unions if available in your area, that are great assets for knowledge and will aid you in becoming a student of your craft.  

Cheers!

Post: How Are You Planning on Making 2015 a More Successful Year than Last?

Micah BrownPosted
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Charlotte, NC
  • Posts 14
  • Votes 4

Continue to build momentum and makes more offers month after month.  Continue to out hustle and out think the competition.  Smile more this year than my past 28 combined.  If I'm succeeding, I'm smiling.

Post: Is this a matter of ethics?

Micah BrownPosted
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Charlotte, NC
  • Posts 14
  • Votes 4
Originally posted by @Tom Mole:

@Micah Brown, the determination of how ethical something is, is what they call the "smell test". In this case, you're talking about people about to start the foreclosure process. Given the current political climate I'd be very careful about getting the "smell" on me of taking advantage off people who've fallen on hard times. You could end up explaining to a judge how what you did was ethical and in the best interests of the homeowner.

I'd like to know more about why your neighbor is so interested in providing you sensitive information like that. Does she hope to profit in some way? Perhaps she's figuring that you could buy some of these owners out and get them off her companies books. Maybe it would be better for her to put you in contact with someone in financial institution that would be able to let you purchase some of the NPN (nonperforming notes) stock at a discount. THAT would be ethical. In fact, I'd like to have someone like that living next door to me and I'd reward her generously.

As of this post, IMHO, it would be unethical to take her help until you know more about what's in it for her. Your ethic sense is protecting you. Respect it! You feel uncomfortable with this as it is, so resolve it until you are comfortable. You need to know that what you're doing is ethical, then you'll be at ease. Ask more questions, don't just give up. This could be a blessing or a curse, but you won't know until you ask more questions. Here's the biggest question to resolve honestly:

  • Would contacting the people she offers you help them more than it helps you, your neighbor or her company?

When you get the answer to that you'll know whether it's ethical or not.

Happy New Year!!

@Tom Mole awesome advice as well. I love BiggerPockets. I spoke to her and she didn't mention wanting anything in return but it is my nature to generously take care of those around me. I would be super willing to compensate her whether she passes me a deal or puts me in touch with someone who knew about any NPN. I will approach it cautiously and ethically. Going to court or taking advantage of someone in distress is not what my team and I are about. I know what being poor or long-term broke is and can do to a family. I am not about that life. My sincerest efforts are to profit but to also be an asset to those I encounter. When I see her again, I will follow up and post the progress. Happy New Year to you as well.

Post: Is this a matter of ethics?

Micah BrownPosted
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Charlotte, NC
  • Posts 14
  • Votes 4
Originally posted by @Joel Owens:

Typically homeowners that are 30,60,90 days late ARE NOT motivated to sell. They are looking for a loan workout etc. with their lender.

There are free services provided by HUD for loan counseling.

Usually it's when property owners get further down the road to defaulting is when they think of selling as a last alternative ( facing bankruptcy, short sale, deed in lieu, foreclosure, etc. ).

At 30,60 days out they are usually talking to the customer service department or collections for servicing the loan and not loss mitigation.

Occasionally you might find a motivated seller at early default but not that often. This is especially true in states with a judicial process that takes a bank a very long time to foreclose versus a non-judicial state that moves faster.

What you target for real estate investing depends on if you are trying to wholesale properties, rehab and flip for resale, or buy and hold as rentals.     

 Thank you for your advice Joel.  I appreciate the education.