All Forum Posts by: Natalie Hahn

Do you think it is better to invest in East Bay (of SF Bay Area) or Washington DC? Which will appreciate better in the coming years? Any thoughts?

Thank you Russell. What strategies do you find work best in these areas for buy and hold properties? 

Wow, thanks, lots to think over! So you can turn a single family home into two condos or even into multiple unit properties depending on the zone you are in? Would this be a good strategy for house hacking?

If we're just talking about condo investments, where are the best locations for this? And for cash returns, is it generally better to invest in an older condo complex or go with newer ones?

Thanks for the info. Looking to purchase with no financing, so there will be cash flow in my case, but I guess it'd just be on the lower end since it'd be in a good location. Are there any particular types of properties (houses, condos, multifamily, etc.) or areas that are cash flowing better than others?

 Thanks! Of those places, which do you think might have the best appreciation in the coming years? 

Does anyone have any recommendations for how to invest in A+/A- neighborhoods in the DMV area? What specific neighborhoods and cities are good for this and what types of real estate (condos, single family, etc.)? This includes anywhere from DC to Virginia up to Baltimore, but focusing on only A+/A- locations. I know it's generally harder to get a good cash flow in A neighborhoods areas compared to B or C, but I'm still willing to sacrifice that for stellar locations.

From the little bit of research I've done, it seems like Baltimore is a better option than the DC area for these types of locations, but just wanted to get your guys' thoughts. Thanks!

Does anyone have any recommendations for how to invest in A+/A- neighborhoods in the DMV area? What specific neighborhoods and cities are good for this and what types of real estate (condos, single family, etc.)? This includes anywhere from DC to Virginia up to Baltimore, but focusing on only A+/A- locations. I know it's generally harder to get a good cash flow in A neighborhoods areas compared to B or C, but I'm still willing to sacrifice that for stellar locations. 

From the little bit of research I've done, it seems like Baltimore is a better option than the DC area for these types of locations, but just wanted to get your guys' thoughts. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

Is a $1 million home (free and clear) that can rent out for about $4000-$5000/month a keeper or is it better to sell? It is a 3 bedroom SFH in a good location in the Bay Area, although it needs some repairs and is an older property. I've always heard that in the Bay Area it's better to sell, but then I'm also not sure if selling it and re-investing the money in a different place (like a multifamily not in the Bay Area) is going to get better returns or not. I've read that cap rates of 7% are considered good, but is that even realistic if you want good quality tenants in a good location?

I have a question for 1031 tax experts out there. Let's say I buy an investment property for $200k and then after some years it appreciates to $300k, making me liable for getting taxed on $100k of gains if I sold it. If instead I were to do a 1031 and exchanged it with a replacement property worth $250k and took a $50k for myself, would I still have to pay capital gains taxes on the $50k? Or can I avoid it because I purchased the house originally for $200k and the $50k is under this amount? 

How do you choose which lender to apply for a HELOC? Is it best to just go with whoever has the lowest rate? I've heard that credit unions are usually good...but does anyone have any specific recommendations?

Also, HELOCs have variable rates, but does that mean a lender can jack up rates to whatever they want? So like if I get a 3% APR from a credit union right now, that rate could end up being 7% next year if the credit union wishes it to be? Or are there limits to what they can charge?

Thanks!