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All Forum Posts by: Russell Brazil

Russell Brazil has started 176 posts and replied 16609 times.

Post: Tenant Ignoring Renters Insurance Requirement – What’s My Next Step?

Russell Brazil
Agent
ModeratorPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Posts 17,418
  • Votes 30,055

You notify them you will be purchasing the policy for them and doing so with their security deposit money, if state law allows it. 

Post: Is promoting buying rentals due to a conflict of interest?

Russell Brazil
Agent
ModeratorPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Posts 17,418
  • Votes 30,055

Id say the main question here to decide if there is a conflict of interest.....is the person saying buy rentals....are they buying rentals themselves? Im a firm believer in purchasing rentals. I do make money obviously when a client buys one. But Im also actively buying rentals myself, because I think its the easiest path to wealth. I also invest in other assets such as stocks, and private companies as well.

Post: Hello to the BiggerPocket Community

Russell Brazil
Agent
ModeratorPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Posts 17,418
  • Votes 30,055
Quote from @Marcus Czulewicz:

Hello! I am a newbie investor, originally from southwestern, PA and now currently located in Washington, DC. I have always been interested in real estate and engaged in BiggerPockets loosely while in college at West Virginia University. Since graduating in 2021, I moved to Washington, DC to pursue a civil engineering career and am now feeling like I am in more of a position to start learning and pursuing real estate investing seriously. I started diving back into learning by reading the Real Estate Rookie and was hoping to put myself out there and find some like minded individuals that are in the beginning stages of their investing career as well. Look forward to learning and connecting with the great people in this community!


 Welcome to BP. Lots of DC area investors and pros here on the forums. 

Post: New investor looking to learn about DC's market, make connections

Russell Brazil
Agent
ModeratorPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Posts 17,418
  • Votes 30,055
Quote from @Daniel Green:

Hey everyone,  

I'm Dan, 35 here, I'll be able to make my first purchase in summer '26. I work in Potomac, MD, and would like to buy a condo or apt that I can easily commute and live in, and then eventually rent out, and then buy another. 

I'd be happy to make connections over similar goals, and to learn about tax info for DC, great spots to buy, and trends for rentals. I figured DC would be a great area to invest in because it attracts tons of young professionals. Maybe you can prove me wrong? 

Let's talk,

Dan


 Welcome to BP. The market in the area is dynamic and continually changing. It has been though historically one of the most stable markets in the country, with very predictable patterns.

Post: Solar Panels on Foreclosure

Russell Brazil
Agent
ModeratorPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Posts 17,418
  • Votes 30,055
Quote from @Danielle DeCormis:

Working on a deal where the home has been foreclosed on by the bank but they indicate they have no knowledge of the solar panels or whether there is a lien.  Has anyone dealt with this?  Who owns the solar panels and what's my liability if I continue with the purchase?

Depends on if the panels were owned or leased. There could be a lien. You'll need to hire a title company to find out.

Post: Buying and Understanding Profit Is Complicated - Here Is What You Need To Consider

Russell Brazil
Agent
ModeratorPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Posts 17,418
  • Votes 30,055
Quote from @Ken M.:
Quote from @Ken M.:

.

Is there an existing formula that considers acquisition costs, interest rate, inflation, appreciation, cap ex, rent and so on, in determining what an offer price should be to achieve an average 5% yearly return over 5 years at a given interest rate?

I'm looking to solve for the following

  1. Offer Price $xxx,xxx (To be solved for)
  2. Asking Price $ 438,750
  3. 35% Above Historical Value xx% (35%)
  4. Historical Value $ 325,000 (To be solved for)
  5. Rent $ xx,xxx (To be solved for)
  6. Rent Actual .005 of ARV
  7. Offer Purchase = $ xxx,xxx (To be solved for)
  8. Amount Down 20%
  9. Amount Down $ xxx,xxx (To be solved for)
  10. Closing Costs $ 3,500
  11. Interest Rate 7%
  12. Prop Taxes Yr Rate 0.005 (variable by market)
  13. Insurance Yr Rate 0.0064 (variable by market)
  14. Inflation 2.9%
  15. Appreciation 6.4%
  16. Cap Ex 10%
  17. Repairs 10%
  18. Vacancy 8.33%
  19. Prop Manager 10%
  20. Yearly Return 5%

How does one calculate at what price "off of asking", to buy if: we assume in 5 years prices will be back to historical norm If a property is currently priced at 35% above historical value (which is what an economist is saying is the current situation on the MLS)

Purchase Price with 20% down, and a 7% int rate, Inflation is at 2.9% and appreciation is at 6.4%, with 5% return on a yearly basis

The following links suggest some costs:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/588344-how-much-do-you-budget-for-capex-and-repairs-on-single-family

I have this figured out for buying SubTo, and for Wraps, But I don't have experience with using a bank to buy properties and figuring costs. since I never use them. However, it might make sense in the future to use banks. Also, I understand places like CA and TX have higher tax rates. If the tax rate is input as a variable, that covers the discrepancies. Inflation & appreciation will vary by year and by place, so, input as a variable as well. But I'm looking for a general calculation to use as I investigate various markets that I can modify as needed.

@Russell Brazil: You seem like the kind of guy that is handy with a slide rule or spreadsheet, do you know of a source that has already put together a spreadsheet to determine price to buy at, with a given interest rate to receive a predetermined rate of return on a 5 year timeline? 


 Not really...but the formulas for that wouldnt be too complicated to come up with.

Post: Condo nightmare HOA issue, need legal advice

Russell Brazil
Agent
ModeratorPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Posts 17,418
  • Votes 30,055
Quote from @Paul Zofsak:

Russell, what's the advantage of filing on my insurance if the HOA is liable?


 Because its literally what you are supposed to do. Your insurance carrier will decide who is liable, and if it is the other insurance carrier then they will file a Coordination of Benefits with the other carrier.

Post: Request to share cost in replacing part of adjoining fences

Russell Brazil
Agent
ModeratorPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Posts 17,418
  • Votes 30,055

If I were the neighbor, it sounds like I'd be the only one bringing money to the table so you could get something you want. I'd be a hard no in their position.

Post: Condo nightmare HOA issue, need legal advice

Russell Brazil
Agent
ModeratorPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Posts 17,418
  • Votes 30,055
Quote from @Paul Zofsak:

Not sure where this should go so I'm putting it here. I own a unit at a local condominium complex and am having issues with timely response from the HOA. In July of last year a roof leak developed and caused damage to the ceiling in my unit, to the point there was partial ceiling collapse. In December the roof was finally repaired, however the damage to the ceiling has not. Currently there is plastic sheeting covering the hole in the ceiling, about 4'x4'. My managment company has made more than a reasonable amount of attempts to get the HOA to have this repaired. I have reached out and spoken with the HOA management property manager myself, and just keep getting BS excuses and no sense of urgency on this matter. My management company has recommended sending in their own contractor to make repairs as the tenant has concerns about mold growth. I of course will need to be reimbursed by the HOA for these repairs. If they don't pay willingly, what are my options? If an attorney needs to get involved i currently don't have one, can anyone recommend one in the Houston area if need be?


 Have you filed an insurance claim with your own carrier yet? That should have been step 1.

Post: Should I have my renters pay me personally or have them pay into LLC

Russell Brazil
Agent
ModeratorPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Posts 17,418
  • Votes 30,055

Who owns the house, your or the LLC? Tenants should be paying the owner.

Do you also live in the house? If you live in the house, and an LLC owns it.....there is zero liability protection created by that LLC.