All Forum Posts by: Nicole Pettis

@Jordan Low

For the garage door, I don't think it really matters. I would just stay with white. Windows are always nice, but not necessary.

Then for curb appeal, I would get rid of those big green shrubs on the right. They are an eye sore and are hiding that magnificent Japanese maple. I would also suggest getting rid of a few of the smaller bushes around the sidewalk.

Paint Scheme: 

I like the idea of Tony Taupe:

Or Copely Gray - Benjamin Moore. 

And I would definitely add shutters to make it feel more homey and give it a little character.

I would get samples of the paint colors and put them on the house before you make a final decision, you don't want to pay for all that paint and labor to not like the paint color. Also you might come across some other ones in the same families that you like better. 

Hope this helps!

@Sylvia B. I forgot to mention, I actually used a gel stain mixed with regular stain to thin the gel out so it would adhere better without sanding(did I mention gel stain is the bomb!!) Then I brushed it on lightly going with the grain of the wood and would wipe it off if it got too heavy to get that look.

@Josh Sandefer I did that throughout the whole duplex I flipped. My flooring guy actually suggested it. The property I flipped was a craftsman style with all the original woodwork which was severely beaten up from years of neglect, so he suggested I take a slightly darker stain and go over all the wood work. So that is what I did and it made everything look brand new. So it is possible and it covers amazing well.

The other thing to note is I used to do faux finishes on furniture, woodwork, walls and just about anything else my clients wanted. And when you glaze something, which is technically what I suggested, there is no need to strip or sand, the glaze adheres to the finish.

@Adam Craig I would test in an inconspicuous area and figure out how you want it to look. I would use a gel stain(thin it out with a comparable stain) that is slightly darker than what you have and it will make it look fantastic.

Good luck and if you have any questions, please let me know.

Thank you!

Thank you @James Wise

You could power wash the siding and brighten it up. Then as Joy mentioned, paint the trim and all of that green a nice gray color. I love Collonade Gray by Sherwin Williams or Agreeable gray is another nice one. I would also cut those bushes back to show off the craftsman style columns and I suggest painting the brick to give the house a more uniform look.

Or you can paint the house a nice neutral gray and compliment it with white trim. It all really depends on your budget. 

Below are some nice exterior color schemes. 

@Adam Craig

Marcia is correct in that once you paint them white, there will be some upkeep on keeping them looking nice.

Another option is to go over them with a richer stain to get rid of the "builder grade look". Its really simple, just wipe on with a cloth like your staining bare wood(my favorite color is Dark Walnut). It will give it a richer look, then I would add the oil bronzed hardware. I used this method on the duplex we flipped. Then I added an inexpensive back splash.

Before you go crazy I would test an small area to see if you like it. 

@Billy Gullett

There are a few things you have to take into consideration.

• How much is all out? $10k, $20k? How much can you afford to put into the property
• What will the return on investment be, meaning if you go all out with high quality will that in return bring in better and higher paying tenants.
• Market value - Compare the comps in the area that are in the appraisal range that you are hoping for and see what they deliver. Do they have laminate or granite countertops? How "new & updated" are they. Because that is what the appraiser is going to look at. They are going to look at 5 different properties from the highest to the lowest and see where your's lands and make their assessment from that information. 

At the end of the day, this is still a rental. So what finishes are you going to be comfortable with where you won't have to spend more money to replace if they get damaged. 

Hope this helps. 

Too bad you're not in Wisconsin @Wendell De Guzman

Welcome @Brett Kash! We have a great group here in Milwaukee. Feel free to reach out and ask any questions. We are here to help!

@Shanaya Smith

Hi Shanaya!

As someone who came from the same place you currently are, I can tell you, its difficult to find a private investor when you don't have the experience, but it is doable. 

It took me about a year and a half and during that time, I just kept networking and talking and building relationships with other investors. Also, I focused on a farm area and studied the market, I would look at distressed properties and do the analysis, then I would show people what I was finding. Eventually, I had someone say they would help me start rehabbing. Yay!!

Our structure was pretty simple. We used a HML, formed an LLC, he provided the funds (down payment, closing costs, holding costs and some of the rehab) I managed the project from design decisions to budget to handling the contractors and marketing. Then we split profit 50/50.

Things to keep in mind. No matter how much education you have or teams in place, your first one will be your college education. Things will go wrong, things will take longer, you'll probably go through a few contractors. But stay consistent, on course and be persistent and you will get it done.

Hope this helps!

Have a great day!

Land Title Services in Wauwatosa. Tanya is AMAZING and they are investor friendly.