All Forum Posts by: Sam S.

@Pat L. thanks ! i will try to find time to read the books. Is it possible for you to give me contact details of the builders?

Also, how to screen builders ? i have been trying to randomly call them and the response is:
(a) buy land first; or
(b) yes we can build it and the quote me a price like 150 per sq ft and above.
But i am yet to find someone who says I will show you something that i can build for 150 per sq pr and then another for 200 per sq ft

Is this normal or am i just learning that construction will be a cold process until we hire the specific team ?

@Anthony P. thanks. these are on my list, but right now i am focused on ground up construction. Reading the thread from @J Scott about his construction tells me that they are totally different things.

hey Marshall,

Change of ownership is one thing, based on my experience, you also need to

1. ask the current landlord to make you the custodian of any security deposit

2. if the landlord has not put money in the bank, then ask for 5% (thats standard in most states), and write a letter to the new tenants with check for this 5% and deposit the new monies in a larndlord /tennant or other such accounts in your state.

3. you could also ask the tennants to sign a new lease (if they agree to cancel the existing one with their landlord), this would ensure you have a 1yr of cashflow.

but make sure you do the "change of ownership" as you said and #1 and #2.

being a recent landlord, my lawyer told me these were very important and i have now learnt the same reading and gaining experience

i agree with you, but I want to be heavily involved. I dont know if asking for referrals is allowed, but do you know anyone who would let me work closely with their team / subs ?

BTW, i am following your posts on your new construction. I read the whole 18 pages yesterday :). nice work. If i end up building, i would try to do something similar.

Any book that i can read to understand trusses and other important parts of home ?

@Keith Lutz

i see that you are in NJ, are you still building ?

@Mike DeVivo thanks for the details

@Darren Sager thanks man, i am going through the post. Also, i might contact you for referrals.

@Brian Rossiter Thanks. it was on my list to potential reads, but i was debating if it is a good read.

So far i am leaning towards being the GC myself (with no experience). However, not sure if that would create any financing issues.

recently moved to NJ and my 1st post, but i will put my heart out :).

i have some experience being landlord, but now i am looking to build, my new home. nothing fancy and dont worry, not asking for price/sq. ft questions.

i am in very early stage, considering land and looking for GCs, thinking of being the GC myself etc.

Anyone with experience in NJ ? (in morex , essex and/or somerset counties ?)

Any specific books that would be a good read ?

Any builders or builder recommendations ?

Thanks,
Sam