All Forum Posts by: Nick Thomas

Ask people. Best way to find good work is to find someone who has seen them do good work before. If you know nobody with experience try Angie's list. 

It's a toss up in that area with tenants. From driving around you can see there seems to be middle class and also low income.  (Judging based on autos and people on porches or walking) Tenant screening I'd have to look into. Wholesaling would be best because experienced investors/landlords could make a killing here. Only have found one local investor though and since we aren't a large city I'm not sure that long distance investors are an option. 

@Mark Andrews My original plan was to just wholesale the properties. But then I thought since they are so low priced I might actually be able to afford flipping one or buying and renting. (Since it is a duplex and each side could rent for 450 it'd make back my money fairly quick if I could keep tenants) I too am trying to be conservative since I don't have a ton of money to fall back on. That's why wholesaling seems like a better option, but it seems most investors don't want to mess with the rougher areas of town.

@Lawrence Smith I would check out www.elevationbuild.com. I have talked with their president and VP and they seem to be great guys. They also offer long term warranty and their work looks amazing. Definitely check them out. They're located in Reston, VA so I am unsure if they'd work in Bowie, but worth a try :-).

I have been spending hours of time looking into my market. Biltmore is a neighborhood in Greenville, NC. Now, the crime is considered high according to Trulia....but it's not a bad area to me since I'm used to areas like DC, Philly, Pittsburgh, etc. The houses there are selling well under value and when driving the area I see many boarded up homes that I am sure I can make low offers and attain. The locations are very close to the best areas of the city so they would be great homes if the neighbors were more agreeable. Anyone that can scope this area out virtually and tell me if buying a property for 20k is a bad deal even though it looks like it could sell for 55k after a bit of work. (The house right next door looks very nice and is valued at 100k according to Trulia) I feel it'd be a great market for someone that can buy numerous homes and turn the area around, but I could only buy one so I am wondering if it'd be impossible to sell.

Thanks for the help!

Homewyse.com is your best bet in my mind. 

So I went to look at the house. The part of town it is in isn't the nicest area, but it's close to the hotspots. (University, downtown, and the hospital) I noticed many house on the street and neighboring streets were boarded up and vacant. The buy in prices are extremely cheap and the advertised ARV's are considerably higher. There are a few houses I'd consider nice right next door with fairly nice cars so I would presume the neighborhood is on the rise. Should I stay away since there are so many vacant properties? It isn't a warzone....but it isn't the nice area of town for certain.

I know or a few lake areas if you decide that's your interest. I also lack the experience in the field of real estate, I only can offer my lifetime of experience living in northeast PA. Many other members here have a wealth of knowledge in the business though and are very generous.

I do not live in PA currently, but I can definitely answer questions you have regarding the area. What made you make NEPA your target? Feel free to connect!

Welcome to BP! I grew up in NEPA and still visit family and friends there often. What cities are you looking in? Or rural areas? I have a great knowledge of the area and can even set you up with some birddogging in the area if it's in the places I'm used to. (Dallas, Wilkes barre, Bloomsburg, Hunlock Creek, etc.)

Thanks for all the advice. I will use it on my next target....this one actually sold tonight. Still glad I contacted the seller though because I'm going to look at a property he hasn't put on the market yet that's a bit more expensive, but one unit is already move in ready.