All Forum Posts by: Rashad Nelson

@Karli Flom, I'm not from the Minnesota area, but I've had recent success suing a service called "BuildZoom".  They're a bit different from Angie's List, HomeAdvisor, or Thumbtack, because you're assigned a direct consigliere for your project in case a certain contractor doesn't live up to a certain standard, mainly consistent and reliable communication.  For quite sometime, I've had minimal success using referred contractors.  

Of course, like all contractors, you have to ensure you check them thoroughly - ensure they're licensed, insured, and ask for referrals.  I hope this helps.

Hi Josh, 

Have you found an answer to your inquiry?  I'm going to be in the same boat - I'm purchasing and renovating a rental property in Baltimore - using all cash.  However, I'll need a lender to do a cash-out re-finance to pull my capital back out.  I'm looking for: 

Lending amount at least 75% LTV / ARV (based on end value, not cost)

No seasoning requirement

Location is everything!!! This lot is located perfectly between 2 newer construction homes in a community that has quite a bit of redevelopment activity. Less than 5 minutes from Delta & Porsche Headquarters, close to shopping & the interstate and 20 minutes from down town. Build your ideal home before the prices go up!!!  

Lot Size - 4,792 sq. ft

Price - $39,900

Side Note - I'm the property owner (not a wholesaler). Property is listed on MLS. Don't let that stop you. Reach out and submit an offer. All are welcome, :-).

Hi.  I've used them before - very good service (fast and responsive).  Although they're headquartered in Chicago, they have local crews in the major inner cities all over the central and northeast (Detroit, Philly, Baltimore, DC, etc.).  Areas where there's a massive inventory of vacant and boarded up houses.

Pro - Cost is decent.  For (8) windows and (2) doors, they quoted me $700 for a (3) month rental and roughly $1,000 for a (6) month rental (includes installation and final removal of all guards).  Not bad in my estimation.  Cost will vary due to number of windows and doors.  

Pro - Great Security.  Very good option if you have a property in a known warzone or area known for high rates of theft.  If you put these on your property, absolutely no one is getting in.  Provides great peace of mind.  

Con - Although the guards have clearance holes in them to allow contractors to work while they're installed, they will become a hindrance to contractors looking to replace doors / windows and work with drywall.  DAWGS can remove and reinstall guards if needed, but typically at a cost of $200 or more per request.  If doing a renovation, be sure to coordinate with your GC on timing to install / remove, etc (or if even needed).

I would use them only if you're greatly concerned about theft in your area.  My properties are in Baltimore City, where war zones are literally one or two blocks over where I have work done, due to pockets of development from private investors like myself.  If not a war zone, then lights, a SimpliSafe system, and a radio playing some light music should do well as a deterrent.  I hope this helps, :-).  

I used their window and door guards for a rental property in Baltimore.  For (8) windows and (2) doors, they charge roughly $700 for a (3) month rental period and about a $1,000 for a (6) month rental period.  

If your property is in a war zone and you're seriously concerned about theft and break-ins, especially after doing a fresh renovation, they're a good option.  ghts, a SimpliSafe alarm system, and a music player should be a good deterrent.  

@Ned Carey.  

Tough, but had to be said.  Excellent post.  

Greetings, 

I'm a local investor here in Atlanta market looking for a builder experienced in residential construction projects involving "structural insulating panels" (SIPs) including foundation, framing, and roofing with SIPs. Builder / contractor must be registered and licensed in the state of Georgia.  Must also have contacts with local tradesman familiar with SIP builds such as plumbers, electricians, HVAC professionals, etc.  

I'm looking to put out different, energy efficient, eco friendly homes while at the same time looking to significantly reduce overall construction costs and time to market.  I can be reached at [email protected].   Thanks.  

No problem.  Glad to help, :-).

Hi Sean, 

Just a heads up for your protection, any contracts you download online, please be sure to forward them to your trusted real estate attorney for review.  Nine times out of ten, they will add some legal jargon that gels with the local state laws to better protect you and your interests.  

Yup, title company holds the contract and EMD until closing. As a buyer, I don't like it when wholesalers ask for an EMD to be made out to them directly (it's shady). The title company is a neutral third party.

In traditional purchase transactions - FSBO, real estate agencies, auctions - buyers have the option of using their own title company. With transactions with wholesalers, the wholesaler normally has his trusted title company already in place to ensure a clear title (along with evaluating the deal) before it's brought to a buyer's attention. As long as it's a legitimate title company buyers that can do their research on for the warm and fuzzy, it should be fine.

I hope this helps man.

I recently moved down to Atlanta from Baltimore late last year.  From my brief experience thus far, Atlanta is an extremely tough market to find quality deals.  They are a few big, institutional investors / wholesalers in the area that are sucking up the majority of the inventory.  East side of Atlanta are where property values are solid - except for certain areas in Decatur, you can't go wrong.

The property values on the west side are very hit or miss, so although available properties are more in abundance for investors, deals are much riskier.  

PayNearMe is awesome for tenants who do not have bank accounts, which is pretty much all but one of my tenants.  They go to their nearest 7-Eleven, pay the money using the PayNearMe slip you provide them, and you get an instantaneous email or text stating your tenant has paid their rent.  It's good to see when they actually paid.  You can set it up to where the slip is unusable unless the full rent amount for that month is paid.  My tenants love it.  No more money orders to mail.  It's win / win.