All Forum Posts by: Dumitru Anton

@Thomas S. , "punch to the face" refers to the struggles that I will encounter as I grow. I have spent the last 2 years studying, reading, listening to podcasts, and taking advice from this forum and other investors. Historically anything in my life that has been worth a damn has had its fair share of obstacles to overcome. Reading "Fundamentals of Fluid Dynamics" doesn't make doing the problems simple, interviewing recent graduates about the struggles of boot camp doesn't make a 15 mile hike with 100lb easy, taking advice about how to fly in formation 100ft from another aircraft at night doesn't make it easier (or any less risky). When I chose to step up to these challenges I was neither "naïve" or "overconfident", I was prepared and determined, as a result, I'm now a better engineer, Marine, and pilot. That's how I'm approaching this challenge, prepare as you mentioned by learning from others but then taking the leap and inevitably making a few mistakes of my own.

@Gregory Schwartz,

compress your search a bit on BP, and target (pun intended) the military and military in deployment managing remotely threads.

Also plenty of remote investing stories, some even including their methodology and steps...

Your boots on the ground team counts more than anything. I think this is also the point @Thomas S. is trying to bring: live Education in RE is usually expensive.

Godspeed!

0 Votes

Originally posted by @Aaron Hunt:

Originally posted by @Dumitru Anton:

Originally posted by @Aaron Hunt:

Originally posted by @Mindi Rosser:

Originally posted by @Parris Crockett:

What car have you been looking at?

To be honest... our favorite car with the "drive for the position you want to have" mentality is this 2015 BMW M3...

(https://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/cto/d/2015-bmw-...)

On the more practical, eco-conscious side of me... we've considered SUVs and pickup trucks because of our local area.

We've also been doing some "incognito recon" with friends/acquaintances in our local market about the type of car they'd like to see their real estate agent drive up in. So far, 9 of 10 are saying the BMW.

The thing is, we truly could afford the BMW (or something in that price range) without taking much of a financial hit at this point because our income is relatively high (could almost pay cash), and we live on half our take-home pay.

Hell yeah! Another M3 driver (I daily an E90 M3). This just became my favorite thread.

Put on your flame suit though.

The F80 (the one you are referencing) is overall great, the only minus is the fart-can exhaust, and artificially pumped-in sound.

@Aaron Hunt,

you are mis-guiding the OP/@Mindi Rosser:

You are just thinking as a car fanatic.

You have to led her to think like a business car fanatic.

She does not need a BMW.

She needs a BMW Wagon (hatchback, more space, a bit of conspicuity, yadda yadda)

And by her giving you a vote, I guess that minivan was on the chopping block for some time....

So the thread was more like her finding couple fanatics to approve her already made choice.

Now I will throw what I think will be best for a hypothetical OP:

-Prius v (the wagon)

-Mazda5 (sliding back doors); it's a mini-minivan

-Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen 4motion/Alltrack

-Buick TourX(german euro OPEL with a different badge)

Uh, I never said to go buy a BMW, let alone a top of the line, current generation M car. If you’re buying Euro - you know what you’re getting into!

I just said you don’t have to drive something you are miserable in.

An M3 is about as extreme/far-off as it gets from an investor mindset. If they were considering this, this thread was long gone before it even began, haha. You have to really be an enthusiast or have deep pockets (or both).

Will lay out all the negatives: premium gas only, mileage is God awful, very expensive repair costs (even if you DIY, which I do), eats through performance summer tires, needs winter tire set-up for sure, increased insurance rates, back seat is not good if you got a kid in a carseat, or adults for long trips.

Believe me, it’s not pretty at times! We use the wife’s X3 for all else as our “material hauler” (moving more than just me around).

I’m also an investor and not an agent, so my opinion is only from the perspective of a client. My agent drives a nice car, but to me it matters more about how communicative and intelligent the agent is. If he wasn’t damn good, and as quick in communication as he is - doesn’t matter what car he has. Seen too many airheads in high end cars that are just awful agents.

@Aaron Hunt,

Got it!

"Buy what makes you smile" (Quote from a guy I know)

P.S. I think between both our posts, the OP (or anybody reading the thread) may have a pretty good idea about owning a sport car in the 4-seasons land.

1 Vote

Originally posted by @Joe Splitrock:

Originally posted by @Dumitru Anton:

Originally posted by @Mindi Rosser:

Originally posted by @Parris Crockett:

What car have you been looking at?

To be honest... our favorite car with the "drive for the position you want to have" mentality is this 2015 BMW M3...

(https://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/cto/d/2015-bmw-...)

On the more practical, eco-conscious side of me... we've considered SUVs and pickup trucks because of our local area.

@Mindi Rosser,

Than think about this:

-do you have planned for a second set of wheels and tires for the winter?

-does your locale cleans the roads enough for you to drive the BMW as a DD (daily driver)? Do you have enough clearance for the roads?

-does all your various materials for an open house fit in the back seats and the trunk of the BMW?

-what would be your insurance rate increase for a newer car and also covering commercial for carrying customers in the back seat?

-can you wash it 1-4 times a week in winter to keep it from rusting? (even if factory treatment seems pretty good these days)

Who would want to drive an M3 in the winter through snow? Rear wheel drive, speed rated tires, low ground clearance and road salt to destroy the paint. My goodness, talk about emotional decision making, no logic here.

@Joe Splitrock,

you forgot Indiana potholes/road cracks....

I think the OP already made her mind, and just wanted confirmation.

Me, I drive 2 wagons: 1 VW Golf Sportwagen and 1 Mazda5.

I did make due (renovation-wise) with a Toyota Yaris sedan and a Hyundai Elantra seda .

And I did drove a Chrysler minivan loaded to the gills and it had not trouble moving....Actually it had a LOT OF PUNCH!

2 Votes

Originally posted by @Aaron Hunt:

Originally posted by @Mindi Rosser:

Originally posted by @Parris Crockett:

What car have you been looking at?

To be honest... our favorite car with the "drive for the position you want to have" mentality is this 2015 BMW M3...

(https://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/cto/d/2015-bmw-...)

On the more practical, eco-conscious side of me... we've considered SUVs and pickup trucks because of our local area.

Hell yeah! Another M3 driver (I daily an E90 M3). This just became my favorite thread.

Put on your flame suit though.

The F80 (the one you are referencing) is overall great, the only minus is the fart-can exhaust, and artificially pumped-in sound.

@Aaron Hunt,

you are mis-guiding the OP/@Mindi Rosser:

You are just thinking as a car fanatic.

You have to led her to think like a business car fanatic.

She does not need a BMW.

She needs a BMW Wagon (hatchback, more space, a bit of conspicuity, yadda yadda)

And by her giving you a vote, I guess that minivan was on the chopping block for some time....

So the thread was more like her finding couple fanatics to approve her already made choice.

Now I will throw what I think will be best for a hypothetical OP:

-Prius v (the wagon)

-Mazda5 (sliding back doors); it's a mini-minivan

-Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen 4motion/Alltrack

-Buick TourX(german euro OPEL with a different badge)

2 Votes

Originally posted by @Mindi Rosser:

Originally posted by @Parris Crockett:

What car have you been looking at?

To be honest... our favorite car with the "drive for the position you want to have" mentality is this 2015 BMW M3...

(https://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/cto/d/2015-bmw-...)

On the more practical, eco-conscious side of me... we've considered SUVs and pickup trucks because of our local area.

@Mindi Rosser,

Than think about this:

-do you have planned for a second set of wheels and tires for the winter?

-does your locale cleans the roads enough for you to drive the BMW as a DD (daily driver)? Do you have enough clearance for the roads?

-does all your various materials for an open house fit in the back seats and the trunk of the BMW?

-what would be your insurance rate increase for a newer car and also covering commercial for carrying customers in the back seat?

-can you wash it 1-4 times a week in winter to keep it from rusting? (even if factory treatment seems pretty good these days)

1 Vote

@Sean Taylor,

I would start your education by reading the many sub30k (properties bought under $30k) threads. It documents many investors successful in this space.

Then, there are still a LOT of threads about Chicago's Southside. Check the knowledgeable investors and connect with them.

You cans still get good/stable tenants there. You just have to find them and learn how to recognize them.

Also they may come to you when your name and reputation travel in the community...

0 Votes

Originally posted by @Ray Harrell:

.... You can do renos with basic materials that will last 10-15 years...commercial grade fixtures, ....

@Ray Harrell: I just bolded and underlined your quote, because it is gold. I hope more see it and understand what it means (plastic versus metal insides....).

Continuous success!

P.S. Isn't it crazy, that usually our tenants have better commodities/space then us?

0 Votes

@Justin Frye,

use gosection8 dot com, and check your area for comparable. Also your local craigslist for same.

Second, check if the local HA (Housing Authority), has a website. If not a phone-number: and call them.

Check HUD's website for the FMR (Fair Market Rent) for your area/zipcode.

And I would first talk with your neighbor landlords who use Section 8 for feedback (about both HA and local tenants): hint, you want to talk with somebody doing this for at least 4 years.

Who knows,... maybe you pick up some units from a tired landlord, get handymans phone#'s, or just get in a working relations when you send each other the good tenants...

But warning: this is not something for newbies/passive investing.

1 Vote

Originally posted by @Ray Harrell:

You put in too much work and money for section 8.

@Ray Harrell,

May I suggest you follow what the local guys do in Englewood/Chicago Southside to differentiate themselves from the run-off-the-mil renos?

You may be surprised... I was.

He renovated completely, so no major headaches for 10-15 years, and with bi-yearly inspections, his units will stays relevant on the market.

Also the Section 8 tenants, what do you think they will choose: the brand new renovated, trendy unit, or the one "lip-stick" good-enough renovated 10-20 years ago?

Original Poster: GOOD JOB!

0 Votes

@Joey English,

Thanks for the "Crappy" Lesson :-P

In the industry I think it is called "Honey Dew" and the vehicles/Pumpers "Honey Wagons"

But Yep, i bet now you can smell the roses.

2 Votes

All Forum Posts by: Dumitru Anton

Dumitru Anton has started 0 posts and replied 192 times.

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