All Forum Posts by: Rich Kniss

@Mike Garrett has it about right. I always try to meet with the city on anything that is not strictly permitted  by the zoning, to help understand the schedule and the requirements.  When interviewing Architects, I'd make sure they have familiarity with the municipality and with the project type.

In response to your question about how to convince the owner to hang on, I'd offer to  pay him some sort of  interest or holding costs for the additional months.

Good luck and I hope this all works out.

I concur with @Andrew Syrios, Tim Trickel did an inspection for my personal home. Very thorough.

In terms of quality and service, I recommend the Brick Doctor (They do stone too). They removed and rebuilt the brick and three story fireplace on my historic home in KC about 5 years ago. It was taken down and back up within a week. Really good quality workers.

@Devin Wilson Welcome to BP! Lots of resources here. Check the File Place to find wholesaling documents and the calculator under tools.

Are you targeting a particular area, or across the city?

Interesting thread! It shows that anyone can do this with enough desire and motivation.

Bachelor of Architecture was my degree from K-State.  The degree and associated work experience has given me a really good understanding of the construction process, pricing, working with subcontractors and developers, project management etc. that directly apply to this side career.

@Eric S. A number of people recommend Alpha Title (Patsy Archer or Mary Kellogg). I have not personally used Alpha, but they are connected with MAREI, which is where I met them. Hopefully that is not who you have been using.

Rich

Kevin, in reading a few posts, is sounds like you have a background in construction, and that you may be willing to do/have done work for investors. If I understand that correctly, I'd like to learn more about your background and what scopes you are comfortable doing.

My partner and I are close to getting our first property for a flip, and we will be needing residential construction help. Our architectural experience helps, but our contacts are primarily on the commercial side.

Let me know.

Rich

@Matt Pritchard that's a great one year story! Congratulations on your success. I hope to be able to tell a similar one next year.

I used to live in Hyde Park (36th and Charlotte) for 15 years in a home on the historic register. Are you in north, south or central Hyde Park? I'm sure you already checked in with the Hyde Park Homes association, which is very active. In some areas I think they do not permit turning SFR's into rentals. I'd be happy to chat about the finer points of the area if you have any interest in that.

Well done!

@Phillip Syrios I don't have any experience with this, but this is an interesting topic. It made me do some research, which is always good.  I think the general consensus on-line is having the option is a good idea.

First, I applaud renters and owners alike that want to pursue energy saving strategies. An engaged tenant would likely to stay longer as they see the landlord as in their court, helping reduce their energy bills. 

My concern would be that if it's a hot day and the tenant is not cool enough, are they going to think the air conditioner is not working satisfactorily and call on a maintenance request, particularly if the air conditioner unit is a little older. Another concern is that you have given away control to the utility company, even though they may allow a certain number of "overrides" per year.

There is no substitute for good continuous insulation, energy efficient windows and a high SEER rating on mechanical equipment, but this may a step in the right direction. I wonder what else landlords could do beyond this device to create a win/win. Something as basic as regularly scheduled filter replacement, programmable thermostats, solar window film, or even something more significant like incorporating solar panels. It's a hot topic with millennials and others. It could be a way to attract tenants a differentiate your units from other by marketing the energy efficiency strategies of the home.  New build statistics show people will pay more for this type of home. I'd assume you could also justify a higher rent depending on the level of improvements. Food for thought.

Would a map like this help? PM me and I'll send you a cleaner copy. This is gathered from BP forums on the subject over the last year. I'm still new, so listen to others as well.