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All Forum Posts by: Ron Rohrssen

Ron Rohrssen has started 14 posts and replied 146 times.

Post: Newbie looking get first deal

Ron RohrssenPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Marion, IA
  • Posts 150
  • Votes 74

@Darson Grantham what type of bank is offering mortgages at 5% down? I'd like to know more about this.

I haven't found a regional bank, community bank, or credit union offering anything less than 20% down on residential loans. Plus, some of them want to treat any investment property as a commercial loan if it has 2 units or more. It's frustrating.

Post: Security deposit in a high yield account

Ron RohrssenPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Marion, IA
  • Posts 150
  • Votes 74

@Brian Warren you are correct that you need to keep this in a separate account and you do NOT need to give the interest to the tenant.

I have the same concerns as you with breaking a lease and facing penalty fees for withdrawing money from something like a CD prematurely. 

Because I have multiple properties (and multiple security deposits), I ladder these in separate accounts with maturity dates that match the tenant lease. I do that on all but one property's SD and treat that like a buffer in case someone were to break a lease. That separate SD is still in a separate interest bearing account, but not as high interest as the others.

Post: New to the real estate investing world

Ron RohrssenPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Marion, IA
  • Posts 150
  • Votes 74

Welcome aboard @Shawn Kinchen

No money and poor credit just requires some more creative thinking and a willingness to add some mental and physical sweat equity. If you haven't already done some reading, I'd suggest the following to start: 

The Book on Investing in Real Estate wtih No (and Low) Money Down: Real Life Strategies for Investing in Real Estate Using Other People's Money - Brandon Turner

Rick Dad Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaka

Post: Stellar community, I'm glad to step in...

Ron RohrssenPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Marion, IA
  • Posts 150
  • Votes 74

Welcome aboard @David Weidemann. It seems things have been a bit rough in San Jose lately. 

Post: Getting longer leases with standard property management

Ron RohrssenPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Marion, IA
  • Posts 150
  • Votes 74

@Chase Keller that's my understanding as well. I believe the relevant part of the code is 562A.10.3 and says, "If a rental agreement given effect by the operation of this section provides for a term longer than one year, it is effective only for one year."

@Tyler Rasmussen, I've also occasionally done a 2 year lease with an understanding that if push came to shove, I wouldn't be able to hold the tenant to that agreement. But, there were reasons behind the 2-year lease that offered both of us desired stability. They also agreed to a slightly higher than market rent during that 2-year contract. I used a rate that averaged my anticipated 2nd year rates with 1st year rates. 

Post: 5 Bedroom Colonial Style Flip

Ron RohrssenPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Marion, IA
  • Posts 150
  • Votes 74

Thanks @Amy Aziz.

Post: 5 Bedroom Colonial Style Flip

Ron RohrssenPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Marion, IA
  • Posts 150
  • Votes 74

Investment Info:

Single-family residence fix & flip investment.

Purchase price: $180,100
Cash invested: $35,000
Sale price: $235,000

3,610 sq. ft.
2-story colonial style
5 bedrooms
2 full, 2 half baths

This spacious, move-in ready 2 story is located in a family-friendly neighborhood, on a quiet cul-de-sac, close to Kennedy High School, Transamerica, shopping, downtown, and Interstate 380. There is plenty of space for your family with 5 bedrooms, 2 family rooms, a living room, and a formal dining room. The main level has carpet and stone floors, with a formal dining room, living room, and a family room featuring a fireplace. The family room overlooks the backyard and woods with wildlife galore. Also on the main level are a half bath and laundry. The kitchen features a full suite of appliances, stone floors, high-resolution laminate counters, tiled back splash, pantry and breakfast bar. All appliances stay with the home. This includes the gas stove/oven, microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, large french door refrigerator, and washer/dryer. The master bedroom is located on the upper level and features carpet floors and a large walk-in closet. The attached master bath includes stone floors, solid surface counters, and Tub/Shower Combo. The Upper level includes 3 additional spacious bedrooms and an additional full bath. The finished walkout lower level features another family room, a storage room, and a bedroom with half bath. Outside you'll find a three seasons porch and patio overlooking the yard with chain link fence and mature trees that provide beautiful views in autumn and wonderful cooling shade in summer.

What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?

This was on a short list of properties that I had been monitoring as a distressed property. I was fortunate to take advantage of a $30K price drop on the morning that the listing price decreased.

How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

I found this through the MLS.

How did you finance this deal?

A local bank structured this as a construction loan with 0% down based on the improved value of the home.

How did you add value to the deal?

The largest expense was replacing a large retaining wall across the back of the property. Not only was the wall replaced, but we pushed back farther and expanded the usable space in the yard by several feet.

What was the outcome?

The property sold for less than the listing price, yet above the projected amount at the beginning of the project. Seasonal factors caused delays in getting the retaining wall done and brought the home to market during a seasonal slow period. These 2 items led to more expensive holding costs. We mitigated some of that cost by renting the home for several months. The renters also provided home security and maintenance during the winter months as well as covered utilities.

Post: What to do with a pile of money

Ron RohrssenPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Marion, IA
  • Posts 150
  • Votes 74

@Anthony Rosa, EXACTLY! When I started looking at a particular investment opportunity in Indiana, this is exactly what I found to be true. Fortunately, I'd learned enough about analyzing a market and deals to understand that market appreciation and forced appreciation were already priced into the TK operation. Plus, with the added fees of [remote] property management, these were only projected to cash flow. There was NO reserve for capital expenses. PLUS, the financial model depended heavily on the investor purchasing 100% of the property without any financing. I find myself thankful several times/year that I avoided that situation.

@Michael Malmrose you're wise to look for something priced below market where you can do some of the improvements and profit from forced appreciation. 

Post: Looking for broker in Iowa City

Ron RohrssenPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Marion, IA
  • Posts 150
  • Votes 74

Id' recommend Matt Lepic. He's an investor and realtor with a very good understanding about investors needs and the local market in IA City. 

http://www.lepicelite.com/

Post: New member from Green Bay

Ron RohrssenPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Marion, IA
  • Posts 150
  • Votes 74

Congratulations @Ashley Noethe on the 5-plex.