All Forum Posts by: Ben Bakhshi

Active REI has continued purchasing investment real estate in 2013. We are finding the market for rental properties shrinking, as inventory is decreasing and prices are rising. We still are finding above average returns in the Atlanta Metro Area. We have started investing in flipping houses in the Atlanta Metro Area, and are also on the hunt for apartment buildings to invest into. Finally, we did notice an increase in inventory over the last month, but prices have not adjusted downwards to reflect this reality.

Chart of real estate inventory in Atlanta, CA going back to June 2012.

Chart of the real estate median list price in Atlanta, GA going back to June 2012.

(Sorry, but I couldn't embed these charts on Bigger Pockets, they are viewable here:http://activerei.com/post/53674418648/mid-year-2013-atlanta-real-estate-market-snapshot)

From our previous Atlanta market report in January 2013, we reported: 2426 homes for sale at a median list price of $205,000, 5% of the homes are distressed, and an average of 77 days on the market. As of today, June 23, 2013: 2,698 homes for sale at a median list price of $249,900, 4% of the homes are distressed, and are on the market for an average of 54 days.

Inventory has increased 11%, yet prices have increased 22% since January 2013.

Going back to the end of 2012 we see some more differences in the Atlanta market. In November 2012, Atlanta had 457 price reductions, 782 new listings, and 680 listings sold or expired.

In May 2013 there were 552 price reductions in Atlanta, 1,288 new listings, and 462 listings sold or expired.

Comparing November 2012 and May 2013, there were 506 more homes added to inventory, 218 fewer homes were either sold or removed from the market.

In mid-2013, the Atlanta real estate market has added significant inventory, yet properties are staying on the market for an average of 30% less. From my analysis, buyers are getting more aggressive and are trying to purchase before prices rise. Fortunately for buy and hold investors, the increased inventory is keeping prices from skyrocketing. Look for rising prices when inventory drops again (if it drops again). It looks like it will be an exciting, and very rainy, summer of 2013 in Atlanta.

Update: 0 subscribers. Albeit I have only a trickle of traffic.
What are some best practices you guys and gals recommend for building your email list?

We have had tenants on and off Section 8 damage properties, just as we have had tenants on and off Section 8 treat our properties well.
Interview your prospective tenants. Make a friend at the Section 8 office. Keep advertising your rental. Make sure to use Craigslist and your local section 8 listing service (asking your local Section 8 office for details).

In either case, I wouldn't get rid of a property that has potential to earn $1000 a month for only $50,000. Try and sell it to a "turnkey investor" for a bit more (with or without a tenant inside). Or, find a tenant and collect. You can even drop your rate to $800 and make some good money.

Check out www.aturnkeyrealty.com, you can ask for Josh Bakhshi (650-678-3264 is his cell). Mention that you were referred by me and maybe he'll give you a discounted rate for the transaction.

I think your title is catchy enough. The problem is, if you are looking for traffic from the BP marketplace, you probably wont find it. I do understand that the rules may force you to link to your blog from here, but if you have a good discussion to start, try starting it at a more popular sub-forum. You will get traffic to your blog from people clicking on your signature (and maybe you can post a direct link to your post (if that isn't against the rules)).

If you think we aren't in a housing bubble, then just say it!
"We are NOT in a housing bubble" sounds like a pretty conversial title to me.

You should be able to view which HUD homes are for sale and available for investors. I know Homepath lets you browse which homes are now available to investors. Keeping a spreadsheet like Mehran Kamari has said is probably the most organized way to go about your search.

If your girlfriend is intending to live in the property then she can buy it. I am not sure if she can immediately sell it to you after closing.

I've been using Tumblr for my business website. It's easy to use, and totally customizable.
Now I've decided to use Mailchimp to build my marketing mailing list.

I'll see how this performs, my next test would be to place the sign-up form on the top of the page.

Any comments? Suggestions?

http://activerei.com/

Sold. Happy investing!

that is interesting. I've not heard of that being a problem in Atlanta. There are tons of trees in Atlanta in fact it feels like you're in a jungle or forex, so I am led to believe that it is the rainfall that contributes to the plant growth in the area and not the plumbing.I will look into what you said because obviously that would really suck to spend $7500.

Bill Gulley, I heard that the roots grow as far as the branches. I'm not concerned with it's distance from the house or the A/C units.
There is a lot of sun where that tree is.