All Forum Posts by: Adam Stanton

Some of the areas I'm looking at went up 35% YoY! Has anyone else experienced this too?

I'm in Virginia and I suspect it's due to the wicked winter we had. Which also jives with reports of retail revenue being down as well. No one wanted to go out.

I'm about to take my states contractor test but I thought I'd share some forums I frequent that help me in my building and investing business's. If you like to do some of your own work these sites will provide lots of useful information.

For anything involving tiling check out JohnBridge.com. The forums and liberry (you read that right) are full of step by step guides, tips and tricks from professionals who do this work for a living.

For those of you in the colder regions, check out Hearth.com to learn everything you need to know about fireplaces, wood burners, pellet burners and everything that goes with trying to heat a house efficiently.

For plumbing go to Terrylove.com.

If you want to do more work on your own properties a subscription to FineHomeBuilding magazine is a must. This also gives you access to their subscriber only content on their website which is full of good stuff.

Hope these help.

*EDIT* Just realized I may have posted this in the wrong spot. My bad :(

I didn't read all the reply's here as there are many. So if you don't read mine I won't be insulted. It sounds to me like there is a venting issue. This can be due to a clogged vent or improper piping behind the walls AND can be exclusive to this bathroom even though it's attached to others. Your first line of attack is to have the lines snaked and/or scoped. I think you did that and it has only lasted a short while. To me this supports the venting hypothesis. Check the website terrylove.com for more expert advice.

Justin is right. Inventory is tight around the DC suburbs so you'll need to work harder and be creative to find deals. There's a reason why the Trumps have started investing in property down here for the first time ever, albeit a much much higher price point. However, Virginia is a dynamic state with lots of opportunity all over. Richmond is seeing a population growth for a change, crime rates are down and those I've dealt with like living there, which has not always been the case. Welcome to BP and good luck!

I'm looking to network with HML local to me but I'm not sure how to go about it. I've done the meet up groups but not many of them attend. Should I write a few asking for informal meetings? Should I pitch myself or should they be trying to get my business? I've not used this form of financing yet so I'd like to learn a little more about the process before jumping in. Thoughts?

We bought our house in June 2013 and the pump went one month later. The original builders from 2004 installed the pump wrong. We were surprised it lasted as long as it did. Warranty didn't cover it. The only thing those are good for is enticing a buyer. Anyway, my well is 500ft so no way I could do it on my own. Called in some local plumbers and they did it in a few hours, new pump, wire and torque resistors for 2600.

I vote yes on getting your license. You don't have to be an agent, rather you can hang your license with a low cost broker. Having access tot he MLS is huge, IMO.

We are just starting out too. My wife got her RE license and and it's been great so far.

I'm also prior service so I feel for my fellow serviceman. If it were me, I would have a conversation with him about my concerns with the dog and see how he responds. If he's legit, you'll know. Maybe you add a three strikes addendum? I've worked with vets and their dogs. These guys can be incredible dog owners.

Think of it this way too; if he continues to get turned down for housing he may be forced to give up the dog. Once a dog goes in to the rescue system he stands a good chance of being put down. It's simply a numbers issue. Not your problem but I thought it worth mentioning.

I agree with Aaron, the potential renter may be training the dog. If that is the case they should be connected with some professional organization that sponsors these dogs. He should have provided you references from the get go. If he does not I would be skeptical. If it's just a support animal (vice service), then that's a tough call. Some people actually do need them, thus can be great dog owners and possibly good renters. I would take ten minutes to ask him what the dog's daily routine is. If he doesn't have a structured routine in place or if the response is he takes the dog to the dog park once a day, then he's lying. If he tells you he takes the pooch on a 45 - 60 minute walk at least five days a week then he may be good rental material. Ask him his training philosophy. Any good trainer can talk your ear off about their methods.

I'm a trainer and know these people well.

While we're talking cap rates, what's the best way to determine cap rates for a particular market?