All Forum Posts by: Michael Lauther

@Carol Lyons If she is not an experienced painter you will not be happy if she is you must approve color . My experience with this is not good and I would only consider you approve color and are convinced she can do a good job and is a great tenant.

no discount on rent or you will be having new projects every month.

ok @Bill Gulley I am now ready to sell my 5 Dayton properties with seller financing, You have succeeded in hitting all of my hot buttons in one post.:)

only half sereous.

I replaced a gas fired water heater for $500 was done quickly and was probably reconditioned. Larger Plumbing outfits quoted over $1000 installed new. Dayton Ohio zip 45403

I invest in Dayton Ohio in zip 45403 the median household income is around $24,000 and a 3 bedroom property will rent for $700 a month and a 2 bedroom 1 bath cottage will rent for $550-$575. I do not dispute the point about living at , or close to poverty levels and the schools are a problem. Cities across the Mid West have been decimated by the economy even before the real estate bubble burst. In this area Section 8 provides one source of reliable rent and the Air base is another. While the vacancy rate in Dayton is probably above 11% this is deceiving. A large part of the vacancy is accounted for by properties that are in need of repair be rented. My last add for section 8 rental drew over 50 responses in one week. I was surprised to see the level of poverty in these cities and disheartened to see that many prospective tenants have been veterans some who were disabled. There is a huge need to provide housing to our veterans who have not fared very well in this last downturn.

@Steve Hyduchak

I won't pretend to know what is a better choice, pursuing a law career or not, but I will make this observation: While you are busy deciding whether or not to go to law school, your life has been moving along at a steady pace which will only increase as you age. Before you know it you will be looking back and wondering whear the time went. Whatever you pursue, do it with enthusiasm and energy. $70,000 is not too much to invest in yourself but if you plan to spend the next few years studying law and it holds no interest for you, you will have wasted time and energy and that far outweighs the money.

@Rich Weese

Thanks for the info Rich. Parkland is in Broward county, I am looking to move since my wife is interviewing for a school teachers position, and I can work from anywhere. It has been a very cold winter in NY and Florida is starting to look good to me.

@Rich Weese

I now see the Villages you wrote about is in northern FL . There is one in ParKland area as well. I got all excited about building for $42 a foot. Thanks for the heads up Rich.

@Rich Weese

Are the Villages you posted about near Parkland FL? I am looking to relocate to that area over the summer. I had planned to rent to get the feel of the area and get the kids into school after renting my place in the Hamptons here in NY.

What can you really build for $42 a foot it cost me $150 a foot doing it myself in the Hamptons and builders here get over $200 a foot.

@Nadia P.

It sounds like you have been doing well with your investments so far.

Your investment objectives have a lot t do with your options as well as your ability to manage properties and your price point. I own properties free and clear and have an objective of current income. You could invest in rental property and achieve anywhere from 8 to 20% annual Return on your cash investment in rental income without using leverage. The increase in ROI comes with increased need for management and expenses and less potential long term profit on future sale. The price point of your investment will most likely determine the market you need to invest in given your objectives.

When people ask about my investments I am happy to tell them. Many friends and acquaintances have asked because they are struggling with their own investment options and are interested in real estate. I have sent several to bigger pockets to learn more and there are some that want to invest with me. So far I have declined the responsibility of partnering with them.