All Forum Posts by: Michael Shenouda

@Nathan Gesner This response is fantastic! Thank you so much for the detail! Like I said, still learning, this is alot to take into account, and invaluable advice

@Nicholas L. I'm still in the learning stage, Evaluating properties, etc. I am definitely more on the "stand-alone" side.

1 Vote

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Thank you so much for this! I appreciate the detail you went into. Having numbers really helps paint a picture.

0 Votes

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hello All,

Still learning here so please bear with me!

Assume I have finally gotten to the point I have $30,000 saved up and feel ready to get my feet wet in this RE game. I obviously can't use the entire amount as a down payment; because then I'll have nothing in reserve for any initial repairs or issues.

So how do you decide ok X% of this will go towards down payment, and X% will go towards reserves?

0 Votes

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Quote from @Cheryl Packham:

At first glance, it looks like you may be doubling the taxes and insurance.

Purchase price = 109,900

Down payment = 27,475

Total Loan = 82,425

30-year fixed at 8% is $605 per month for principal and interest. (I hope you can get a better rate than that, just for figures here.

You have a mortgage payment listed at $744, which I am guessing you included the taxes and insurance into your mortgage payment as that is the amount you would pay to the bank for them to escrow those items.

I hope that helps.

@Cheryl Packham I think you are right, that definitely brings the number closer... Thank you!

1 Vote

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Quote from @Nicholas L.:

@Michael Shenouda

What do you mean by "The listing is showing a cash flow of $1,050 / year"? What listing?

If you calculated a negative cash flow...then it doesn't cash flow.

@Nicholas LThanks for your response... The listing on roof stock where I find the property...

0 Votes

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hi George,

The numbers I'm trying to match are from Roofstock. Most of the numbers on the spreadsheet are as well, I did adjust the PM expense, because from what I see the 8% roofstock uses is generally too low.

0 Votes

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hello all,

So I'm attempting to learn by using the 4 square method on properties I see online to

A. See if it's a good investment

B. Compare my results to the numbers provided by whichever site I'm looking at.

I included a screenshot of my makeshift excel sheet I'm using...

Property is in PA.

Monthly rent is included in the listing.

Taxes I'm using the listings numbers

Insurance I'm using the listings numbers

Utilities paid by tennant

Vacancy 5%

Repairs I didn't know how to estimate

Property Management 10%

Down Payment 25%

The listing is showing a cash flow of $1,050 / year, which equates to $87.50 per month. My numbers show a negative cash flow... are my assumptions severely off? I'm not understanding.

0 Votes

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hello all,

So I'm attempting to learn by using the 4 square method on properties I see online to

A. See if it's a good investment

B. Compare my results to the numbers provided by whichever site I'm looking at.

I included a screenshot of my makeshift excel sheet I'm using...

Property is in PA.

Monthly rent is included in the listing.

Taxes I'm using the listings numbers

Insurance I'm using the listings numbers

Utilities paid by tennant

Vacancy 5%

Repairs I didn't know how to estimate

Property Management 10%

Down Payment 25%

The listing is showing a cash flow of $1,050 / year, which equates to $87.50 per month. My numbers show a negative cash flow... are my assumptions severely off? I'm not understanding.

0 Votes

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hello All,

I'm still a newbie trying to learn my way through this incredible maze of RE Investing. I've seen many mentions of BP podcast being a great source of information, when I looked them up on YouTube and Spotify it seems there are tons of episodes out there!! it would take years to get through them all! haha. So I guess my question is, what is the best way to tackle diving into these podcasts? Just start with episode 1 and work my way to current? Or by specific topic using searches? Any help for a lost soul? haha

0 Votes

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Quote from @Michael Scott:

Quote from @Michael Shenouda:

Hello All,

Total newbie here looking towards the future and I am very drawn to the potential and promise of real estate. I read a ton on Reddit, and other blogs such as this one.

Due to personal circumstances I will not be in a position to actually "jump in" until sometime in 2026. It seems like a lifetime away, but I'm looking at this as a great opportunity to learn from the experts and save (I don't make a ton and with kids soon to be in college I make even less!).

I would anticipate having far too many questions, I hope I don't alienate this fine community! From the reading I have done so far I feel one of my biggest issues is going to be information overload causing "paralysis"; i.e. deciding what route to take SFH, Multi family, Corporate, NNNs. Depending on what you read they all sound fantastic.

Anyways, looking forward to hearing and meeting many of you and hopefully getting in touch with some folks in the Pittsburgh area who wouldn't mind sharing their wisdom as well!

Welcome to BP! I run a free meetup group out at Giannilli’s 2 in Greensburg the 3rd Wednesday of each month. It’s a great way to learn and network. Hope to see you out there!

This sounds like a great event! I look forward to attending soon! Thank you.

1 Vote

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

All Forum Posts by: Michael Shenouda

Michael Shenouda has started 5 posts and replied 12 times.

Post: How do you budget and breakdown initial seed money

Post: How do you budget and breakdown initial seed money

Post: How do you budget and breakdown initial seed money

Post: My first attempt at the "4 square method" What am I doing wrong

Post: My first attempt at the "4 square method" What am I doing wrong

Post: My first attempt at the "4 square method" What am I doing wrong

Post: My first attempt at the "4 square method" What am I doing wrong

Post: My first attempt at the "4 square method" What am I doing wrong

Post: BP Podcast SO. MANY. EPISODES!!

Post: Hello All Complete Newbie here looking to learn observe and plan!