All Forum Posts by: Carolyn L.

Hey Jon,

If I had an original response, it would be using social media.  But @Kyle H. explains it best in this recent post:

http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/44/topics/144841-marketing-spec-homes

All the best!

Great topic! I personally research a subject to death in order to educate myself, and then seek out professionals to validate, and keep me in legal compliance with any endeavor - whether personal or business. That may be a benefit of my experience in business administration where I had a team of professionals and colleagues to help me make the right decisions. In the corporate environment, that's just the norm. Not everyone has that foundation to draw upon when starting out in REI. It's a completely different ballgame in real estate. We need to learn the difference between a colleague offering good solid advice, and the stealth sales pitch. Trust but verify. Check out quality of posts, websites, LinkedIn and any other background information.

Since I'm new to the REI arena, I've spent considerable time learning, observing, following and reading select member posts on BP that I've come to trust, just to understand the nature of this diverse business. With the exception of REIA membership fees (which I consider equal to professional association fees) most of my REI education has been free, and I've taken it slowly. There are so many facets of real estate investing, one can easily become overwhelmed by the sea of information available. Focus on a niche, learn from a number of sources, and pay attention to the details. And when ready to start, make sure you have a real estate attorney and accountant on your team to keep you out of trouble.

Posted by the Austin Business Journal today.  Question:  Does this change your rental strategy?  Help your market analysis? 

http://bizj.us/143lwp

@Arnie Guida 

It's a great time of year. Here's a timely article for you by a Wisconsin Master gardener in Portage County.  Also, be sure that you remove the stump grindings where you intend to plant. You'll need to improve the soil conditions so the seed has enough nutrients.

http://www.wiscnews.com/portagedailyregister/news/local/columnists/article_055ea348-84e1-59fd-8826-1221e856df12.html

@Bill Gulley 

Agreed.  It might also be helpful to document the due diligence process and post findings on the BOTG forum. Details of that would need to be worked through.

About your garden:  You should plant grass. 

The wardrobe issue may take more time, Obi-Wan. :)

@Bill Gulley This is a great idea!  And will help encourage others to get involved with the team.  I agree if there is to be any compensation, that could come when/if a deal is made and contract signed.   For me personally, it's a great way to hone my property location and analysis skills while helping someone else.  Win/Win!

I work from home, so I'm available in Austin / Round Rock MSA for drive-by views/photos/video and any local level property research.

I'm in!

OMG! I'm splitting a gut!

@Lynn Currie 

Thanks for chiming in!  So glad to have your expertise here.  Love the video and worksheet - you really are an Excel geek!

I'm having a hard time attaching a PDF or Excel file to this reply or PM for some reason.  And there is no full moon!  I'll send over via email at Magpie.

Thanks!

I liked it over a year ago, and still like it today!  If only there was a "repeat like" button!

@Brian Whitten 

Thanks for sharing your story - what a nightmare project!  Why doesn't the IRS issue surprise me? :)  I agree - the lessons learned in this type of situation are invaluable and others reading this will benefit from your experience as well.  I've never dealt with that level of complexity, but going through our own home renovation with a crooked GC gave us heartburn for quite a while with all the hoops we had to jump through! Not to mention legal fees to manage the process! Ugh.  But we lived to talk about it, and a little bit wiser for the experience.

And - thank you for sharing the squatter article and offer to access MLS!