All Forum Posts by: Milton Chamberlain

Hi Kyle,

My wife is a dentist and the proud owner of Vitality Dental in the Northland of Kansas City. After graduating in 2015, we moved to Oahu, where she completed a one-year AEGD program. In 2016, we returned to KC and purchased our primary home in Liberty using a Doctor’s loan.

In 2020, we developed a strong interest in real estate investing. I got my realtor license in 2021, and that same year, we purchased three single-family homes using investor loans. We fully remodeled two of them, taking them down to the studs. These properties are now rented as long-term rentals, and we plan to expand our portfolio while also branching into short-term rentals.

Looking back, I realize how much my current knowledge and experience could have fast-tracked our success. Hindsight is 20/20, and my education (courtesy of the school of hard knocks called Life) has shaped my approach to real estate investing and how I help others achieve their goals.

Since 2021, I’ve been working full-time in real estate, specializing in assisting both local and out-of-state investors in acquiring small multi-family properties and short-term rentals.

I would love to meet up with you and further discuss your REI interests and goals.

Hi Keegan, 

I have helped clients who worked with their lender to access funds from retirement accounts. I can connect you with folks who can go more in depth on the process with you. good move or bad move?...I would say it depends on how well the chunk of cash in your 401k is performing compared to the asset you are acquiring. But from an investment diversity perspective, Its never a bad idea to diversify.

"Best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, second best time is today" You are not too late to get into the REI world! I started 3 years ago in my early 30's with two small children and a wife who just bought a startup business. I acquired 3 SFR LTR then. At this point in time my goal was to have owned and rehabbed 5 SFR. So sometimes you have to temper your expectations. But I am super happy to have invested in Real Estate and will hopefully be able to acquire 2 more by late 2025.

I live in and work the KC metro as a 'small multi' and 'sfr' investor focused Realtor. I have helped Dozens of local and OOS investors buy and sell traditional investments, acquire 'house hacks' and STRs, as well as assist OOS investors with tenant turnovers, getting properties rent ready and placing tenants.

Reach out anytime to discuss the KC metro and how it fits into your REI goals of providing generational wealth and eventual financial freedom

Hi Lucas,

Congrats on your first investment property. Id love to learn more about it, and specifically what your goals are in the small multi REI world of the KC metro.

Hi Khalid, happy to talk shop and help out with anything KC REI related. congrats on your new construction project.

I am interested in hearing about your experience traversing the 'green standards' new construction and permitting process in KCMO proper. Did they require you blueprints and plans be reviewed and made to conform to their standards? I have a few more questions as well if you have time to chat

 Hi Tanya, I sent you a message

Hi Leo, I have helped two OOS investors buy in the metro in both Kansas and MO in the last year. I have quite a bit of knowledge on the KC/STR subject. I have also helped a variety of both local and OOS investors buy in the metro using owner occupant and traditional investor financing. I have quite a bit of info regarding what areas are A, B, C and where you will find the most cash flow vs appreciation. I am happy to chat with you anytime.

there are a few different options I can think of. happy to mull it over with you

if you qualify, using the VA for a small multi opens up more opportunities as an asset vs investing in SFR. SFR will initially produce zero income (unless you rent rooms or until you move out.)

typically investors that consistently buy multiple homes a year are experienced in the REI game with lots of connections and access to cash. not always. but more often than not

happy to discuss your investing goals more

You are correct, small multi listings in A/B markets are less common, but do come on occasionally. A desirable side by side with 3 bed/2 bath per unit will generally run $350k-$475k dependent on variables. I would check with your lender to confirm if 0% can be used for 3 and 4 units...they might require 5% down.

SFR investment with rehab can also be a great way to invest in real estate. it just depends what are your strengths and goals and which strategy will best serve you.

buying a home a year is normal for some. depends on what your goals are.

Id think of it like planting a tree: being 25, time is on your side. if you have a solid income with healthy DTI, I would suggest taking advantage of it by house hacking small multi in A/B market and let father time be your friend. By 30 you will have equity to play with and appreciated into some great cash flow.

happy to chat anytime

If you listed in July, and got no bites last two months, it is not timing. IMO

Speaking anecdotally here; I had 2 clients this time last year rent out SFR both in Northland, both in Staley HS district. one was a tighter sq foot 3 bed 2 bath traditional split. They struggled to place a tenant @ $1900, and were hyper focused on high credit scores (>680) and income.

Another had a 3 bed 2 bath more spacious home a bit more South, but still in Staley HS area. He easily placed a tenant at $2000+/month. 

His Screening parameters were not as restrictive. do you need to adjust your screening parameters? Obviously, dont put an unqualified person in there, but with record credit card debt in America, and a worsening recession on the horizon, one can expect much worse credit scores across the board vs 5 years ago.

I have struggled to place tenants in my properties before, and have fixed the issue by adjusting my screening parameters. 

My only other advice would be mgmt companies. Not throwing shade! Im sure yours are swell. But they are generally entry level younger people at a boring job. if you havent been 'encouraging' them with daily communication, I would encourage you to do so with with your point of contact. they may not be doing the necessary follow up needed to get a tenant in the home. and you inquiring everyday will most likely encourage them to do the necessary follow up. Or do their job and come up with a new strategy to get qualified tenants in.
I know quite a few people in the property mgmt, and there are certainly some great ones, but also ALOT of lazy ones, just like in many different service industries. particularly with larger companies with lots of employees