All Forum Posts by: Robert Slatkin

@Nghi Le

Hi Nghi.  Thank you for your input on the post!

May I ask, considering the city/county approval process, how long are your extensive rehabs taking on average?  

Also, if you have an idea, on a raw building lot in King and Snohomish Counties, how long is it taking to get from preliminary plat to approval to build? (Maybe there are too many factors to answer the question).

Anyway, I would appreciate the opportunity to connect with you.

Thank you,

Robert

@Kweku Ako-adjei Hi Kweku! It's great to hear that someone from the DC area made the transition to Seattle and not only survived it, but seems to be thriving! Thank you for the Meetup advice. I hope you and I can stay in touch.

@Keith Ellis  Thank you for the "Welcome." Hope to see you around.

@Inderpal Chadha I think you are are very astute, and although I am not yet local, I agree with you about where you see opportunity. I hope we have the opportunity to meet and speak sometime.

@Alex Chin

 Great, helpful question. Thanks for contributing to the post.

@Chris Newman

 Hey Chris. Thank you for the reply and information. I have done some development work here in Virginia and yeah... if you are in the wrong County, you should just go ahead and pre-order a straight-jacket in a color of your liking.  It can get crazy!!!

I would like to gather up a few questions, and then speak to you about your post. We will be in touch soon. Thank you again for all the information about the Everett area.

Thank you to everyone that has responded to me so far.  Now I know that there are at least 6 people living in the great NW area of Seattle! :)

@Colin Smith  What you suggested is exactly what I have been doing. Thank you for your response. I will keep trying.

@Alex Chin I appreciate you reaching out. I've heard about this "Seattle Freeze" from family and friends I have living there. In my 25+ years of owning businesses, I learned to do whatever possible to never "freeze" anyone out, because you never know who that person is, knows, or if they might be of benefit to you in some way in the future.  For instance, when I built one of the largest mortgage broker/lenders in the mid-atlantic region, I stayed loyal to the people that helped me get started. Nothing pleased me more than knowing those people made a lot of money as we worked together. BTW, if there is anything I can do to help you in your business, please contact me.

@Doug N.  Thank you. I will contact you within the next couple of days to learn more about the Snohomish/Everett areas and prospects for development there. 

@Troy Fisher I have seen your name many times as I have combed through Seattle related materials here on BP. Thank you. I will definitely be in touch with you shortly. I look forward to speaking.

@Natalie Kolodij I'm very happy that you responded to my post. You were someone that I came across on BP (like Troy Fisher) that I really wanted to speak to.  I read about what you are doing and how you are investing, and it appears that you have done a terrific job with it. I would appreciate the opportunity to speak to you about the area in general, and any guidance you would be willing to share.  So you know, my inclination would be to preserve the character and historic elements of a home, and not to destroy it.  So, I am hoping that there will be no need for you to never forgive me. :)

Hi Guys,

I have been trying to contact some "investor friendly" Realtors, as well as Contractors, and knowledgeable Investors in the Seattle area.  I will be moving to the area in the foreseeable future, and want to develop these relationships so that I can start investing there now.

I have yet to receive a response from anyone I have contacted.  I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

Anyway, for any experienced, trustworthy, and motivated Realtor or other contact in the Seattle area, who would like to work with someone with those same qualities;

My initial interests (without the benefit of the latest local information) is to fix and flip entry level priced homes in Snohomish and Pierce Counties, and possibly do some development work. I have some of my own money, and access to some private money.  I'm not looking to waste anyone's time, including my own.

If you are an investor focused Realtor, Contractor, or Investor that would consider a JV or Partnership, and are interested in the possibility of working together, please contact me immediately. Thank you.

Robert

Congratulations Jenn!  You deserve all the success.

Sorry Jeremy,

I now realize that you did not ask who said the quote, instead simply opining that he is an idiot. Sorry, my mistake.  But, many people who knew (or knew about) Leo "The Lip" Durocher would agree with you.

Robert

@Jeremy T. 

Hey Jeremy, welcome to BP.  To answer your most important question, it was baseball Hall of Famer Leo Durocher who uttered the words "Nice Guys Finish Last" (or words to that effect) when being interviewed about his team and the players he managed.  He later wrote a very well known book named "Nice Guys Finish Last" telling of his experiences in baseball since he started as a player in 1928.

Baseball questions? Bring  'em on.  Real Estate questions?...you'd be better off asking someone else. :-)

I'm impressed by your commitment to working with integrity and character. I would be interested in connecting, and seeing how we might help each other's business.

Best,

Robert

I like the list you got from @J Scott).

Adding to JScott's very good advice about getting a copy of any perc test results (if the property is NOT on public water and sewer) is to take notice of whether the lot is perc'd for a conventional, gravity system or an alternative septic system.

I don't know about Maryland, but here in Virginia many counties are strongly discouraging alternative systems by adding costs, red tape, regulations etc. when using them. They can make it tough on you. Alternative systems are also significantly more expensive to install (and maintain in Virginia) than conventional systems.

Also, find out from the perc test results what size house you can build on the lot. This can change everything about the deal. Septic fields only supporting a 1 bedroom perc = No Good.

If you DO have access to public water, find out where you would "tie in" to the system. Sometimes, that could be on someone else's property, and you would have to go through the process of obtaining and recording an easement. Also, the farther away the water connection is from your house, the more it will cost you to get water service to it.

These above comments do not address MANY other factors that will effect your ability to develop the property....factors you must know in order to analyze the deal. There is a lot to consider when developing land. Best of luck, Christina.

Robert

@Oscar Sandoval

Hey Oscar! Welcome to BP.

Learn first, buy later.

All the best.

Robert