All Forum Posts by: Sam Ojo

Welcome Sameul, 

Sounds like you're doing some great things. Adding value can be as simple as answering a forum with your knowledge and experience! Never know who it could help. 

All the best 

Hey Stephen, since you are no stranger too renting at the moment. I would suggest taking the route of option 2 or 3, so not only are you saving over 10k in rent per year but the residents help in paying down the debt. While your deposit remains safe as equity. 

Now the decision between option 2 or 3 depends on a few variables. The market between the 2 locations & resident class (Especially if you plan to self mange or find a PM company), Your future goals and the costs associated with moving and transferring to a new hospital. 

Possibly some questions to ask yourself: 

How much higher is the cash flow in Akron? Does it come with more headaches! 

Would you be taking any pay loss from the job switch? 

Being that you are a full time nurse with a baby on the way (Congrats by the way) time will not be on your side. So are you looking to be more hands off etc... 

All the best

 Good afternoon Jaycee, 

6 make up the equity and they are currently under my name due to some past Refi's.

I have actually proposed selling the trucking company to one of my drivers or at least giving him a percentage to recoup some of my initial investment. We haven't concluded on that yet but he does handle the day to day to keep the stress off of me. 

 In my experience, one of my biggest regrets were selling a great cash flowing property in a college community. The profit was around the same but I lost a lot of wealth in that transfer. Not only the cash flow but the long term equity. The property jumped another 100k less than a year after the sell as well as rents went up to support what would have been the new monthly debt if I refinanced and held. 

Everything is case by case but from what I've seen you can almost never loose holding long term. In a climate like this with high rates, probably better to use a Heloc so you keep the lower rate of your 1st lien. But a refi is not the worst if rates come down and you use that equity for another asset with a good return. 

Best bet is to try local and credit unions, possibly may have some programs for better rates. Depending on your current rate or if the current loan is short term or long term. A HELOC can help you get the cash as well. Best of luck!

I own a small portfolio that brings enough income for me not to have a w-2 income. During 2021 I sold 2 properties which brought me 250k in capitol gains, due to the climate of prices then. I chose to invest most of those gains into a trucking company due to the lack of patience at the time and my 10 year experience being a tractor trailer w-2 driver. Quickly I learned I knew nothing about the business of trucking and truly didn't enjoy it, as all those gains got depleted.

Now we are in 2025 and although I still own the trucking company, it has been an inconsistent pit that has technically brought me personally no profit. At this time I manage and renovate majority of all my units to keep cost low but most likely not the best use of my time although I'm skilled at it.

To get things "shaking and my blood pumping again" lol as money is tight. I listed 2 properties for sale from my portfolio. One is under contract in which I plan to 1031 into something larger and the other I just plan to keep as the contract expires soon.

Any advice on how to get out of this stagnant stuck feeling? First thing that comes to mind is a mentor but have not had any luck

Also I have over 900k in equity across the portfolio, Is there a way to use the properties as collateral for a HELOC across the portfolio instead of individually?

Any advice is helpful, Thanks for your time!

Good day, I’m in the New Britain market. Between that price range there are opportunities for value add/ distressed single families. About 40k more can possibly land you a two family but would also need some sweat equity. Condos are another option in that price range but with condo fees can kill your cash flow. 

With the right aggressive marketing there are many opportunities with tired landlords but would require more time compared to searching the MLS .

Nice work bro!

I would check the existing lease and if not up to standards update, ask previous owner of payment history throughout length there. Check market rents to make sure your not leaving money on the table. Tenants that stay long and pay on time are gold and usually take care of their home. Check condition of unit or residence, possibly talk to neighbors.

Best of luck 

I would contact realtors you may know or have relationships with that would forward comparable's for you. If not I would use apps like Zillow, Realtor, Trulia etc.. and use filters to find closed properties in that area possibly by even broadening the search area. 

Best of luck