All Forum Posts by: Sarah Brown

 Hi Jill I am in Boise.  Boise itself is hard to get to the 1% rule, but you can find it in some of the outlying areas.  I bought one just last December in Nampa (about 25 miles from Boise city center.  30 min drive)

 I love that you are getting such an early start!  I have been following RE since I was around your age, but never brave enough to jump in like you are.  I am now 35, two degrees, and six years into investing.  I have worked in a variety of different trades and all have paid off in the investing.  I know enough about construction to understand what needs to be done, how long it should take, and what I can expect to pay. I can usually ask the right questions, and find creative (good creative) solutions.  The experience has been very valuable to my real estate career.  I agree with the others who are saying get your education while you can since it is free.  Take advantage of your position to start saving money and you will be MILES ahead when you are ready to buy your first property.

I would probably switch degrees to something like an associates.  If you have a year under you, then you have a year left.  At least then you can say you finished something, and if it's just a general associates, it'll be fairly easy and you can do both at the same time. I have two degrees.  I knew half way through the second I didn't want to spend my life working for someone else.  I still finished, because it's important to me to finish what I start. My first degree, I got something different than what i started for, but finished none-the-less. 

@Joe Splitrock I have. I do know not all tenants are workable. I inherited a hoarder who threw her used toilet tissue in a pile on the kitchen floor. We had to bring in a hazmat company to clean the unit. I have also had instances where some candid conversations were had, and although not perfect, the situation improved drastically.

@Chris Brenner I have also had instances in the past where I had tenants who didn't take the best care of a property and then as soon as I started making repairs, they started doing better upkeep.  Kind of like they were more proud of where they were staying.  I am not saying that is going to be the case here, but may be worth trying to leverage the situation.  

@Brett Mason The most successful investors I know diversify!  However, I would agree that buy and holds are great starting point.  Less upfront investment and an on-going source of income indefinitely until you make it stop (as long as you manage it correctly)

It would depend on the property and the financials of you and the property. However leveraging some of your equity (don't max yourself out), is a great way to get into investing. Make sure when you calculate your finances you include more than the minimum payment of that HELOC. Generally they are interest only payments, you will want to pay down the principal

What kind of investment are you trying to get into?  Not all investments are created equal, and as such not all strategies will apply :) Only thing synonymous among all is to make turn a profit.  

I wouldn't kick them out yet.  How much more damage are they really going to do?  I would require them to clean up the feces though as it causes a huge health risk/liability.  Also, did you get an inspection when you purchased?  Are you confident there are no leaks or anything else that hasn't been reported that can cause major damage down the road?

I bought one last your off the market, but I would definitely call that an exception, not a norm, and I had to put a ton of work into it.  I would scope out East Idaho if you are really set on sticking to the 1% rule.  

Boise area offers a lot of other opportunities.  There is a lot of growth in Boise, and particularly in some of the other surrounding cities.  Feel free to reach out for a little more in depth analysis