All Forum Posts by: Olivia Armstrong

Hi Olivia,

I was tagged in this post by Aussie Steve in the comments above. I run the Northshore Real Estate Investors Association. We meet each month in Covington and have been for 5+ years.Our meetups are free to attend and all are welcomed. We meet on the second Tuesday of each month at the WeStay Suites in Covington from 630-830PM and then head to Chimes from 845PM onward. Great time of networking and to learn with likeminded folks in a no sales pitch atmosphere. 

Feel free to find me on social media too. We post our events on FB around the first of the month. 

As far as the area goes, New Orleans is known for its duplexes but the Northshore is lacking in inventory. If you are dead set on that I would suggest one of two things, build from the ground up or be open to it either taking time for inventory to become available or that it may look different like an in-law suite or two houses on one lot. 

I have been in real estate in the area for nearly 10 years. Happy to help. Born and raised in Slidell to feel free to reach out if need be. 

I also invest in small multifamily properties in Baton Rouge and have done a couple of live-in flips.  The housing market in BR can be maddeningly expensive in certain areas for a city this size, though it has cooled somewhat over the past 12-months or so.

In the right areas BR tends to be a fairly stable market with moderate growth potential (the big employers/tenant draws are petrochem and supporting industries, LA state goverment and LSU).  You aren't likely to see massive amounts of appreciation, but you are also less likely to see spectacular bust cycles like in other markets, as those three tenant sources aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

Hey Olivia welcome to Southeast Louisiana! My wife and I are on a similar path and started our investing journey two years ago with a live in flip. Since then, we have done 6 renovations. The most important thing is that y'all see eye to eye and that your desire to live for a living is strong. 

Covington is a great place, my wife and I live were born and raised in Baton Rouge and we often toy with the idea of moving out there (if we don't leave the state). It has certainly seen a ton of appreciation in the past 5 years, along with Mandeville and Madisonville. I actually have some clients and friends who are moving from California for the husband to work for the Marines in Nola and are shopping for a home in Covington.

I think your plan to buy a multifamily home with the VA loan is genius. I love when I hear of a young family wanting to go the house hacking route. I truly believe if you pick the right home in a good area that it's a decision you'll always be happy you made.

Of the towns on the Northshore, I'd say you've got the right ones in mind - Covington and Mandeville. If you want a kickass agent out there I have a good friend who is helping my friends from CA with their search. 

Hammond is another great option. I lived there for 7 years and still visit friends there a few times a year. I also work with clients there and I'm always watching the multifamily market in and around downtown bc it's such a stellar area and a place that I'd like to buy multifamily in the future. If y'all haven't spent any time in Hammond yet, I would suggest y'all book an airbnb in the heart of downtown on the west side of the railroad tracks (or close to the tracks on the east side) and just live like locals for a weekend. I have some great suggestions for food and drink if y'all decide to do that. The locals are super warm and they have lots of good food and drink there.

Baton Rouge is my home town, and it's where we exclusively invest so far. We invest in multifamily. Baton Rouge is a very stable market because of all of the oil, gas and petroleum industry, big Universities, and of course it's the state capitol. There are a lot of good areas with multifamily homes, but the best area is Mid City South. I could break Baton Rouge down a lot more if you'd like, just let me know. 

Welcome again. I hope you're settling in well so far. Holler if I can answer any questions or break down Baton Rouge more I'm always open to chat.

Olivia,

Reach out to Sheina Lassalle "Fancy homes" in LA she is also a member on here Bigger Pockets.  I have worked with her mutliple times and she is a great Agent/area guru.

@Olivia Armstrong you should attend the North Shore REIA and you will meet lots of active investors that will give you their opinion on the best areas. @Courtney Fricke runs the event, she can share some details