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All Forum Posts by: Sean R Higgins

Sean R Higgins has started 2 posts and replied 18 times.

Post: My husband and I need Suggestions on how to get started with our lots of land!

Sean R HigginsPosted
  • Professional
  • New York City, NY
  • Posts 18
  • Votes 5

First step is to understand what you can build on the property. Start researching the zoning restrictions in your area and see what is permissible. That will help decide the highest and best use of the property. 

Post: ISO Experienced Multifamily Investors

Sean R HigginsPosted
  • Professional
  • New York City, NY
  • Posts 18
  • Votes 5

@Luke Tetreault I’ll take a look at the underwriting for you. Hopefully can give you some insights. Send me a DM

Post: How to find out about zoning for a teardown?

Sean R HigginsPosted
  • Professional
  • New York City, NY
  • Posts 18
  • Votes 5

As others have mentioned you can call the city and ask. But most municipalities have their zoning information available online including the zoning map which will show which zoning district your property is in. Hopefully no surprises, lol.

Post: Where are the positive cash flowing properties in Las Vegas?

Sean R HigginsPosted
  • Professional
  • New York City, NY
  • Posts 18
  • Votes 5

You may have to put more money down upfront to get the deals to cash flow. I would image it would be hard to get deals in this interest rate environment to cash flow unless they’re high value-add. But again you’ll have to have some upfront capital to do the renovations 

Post: Building Small-Multi Family (2 to 4 units)

Sean R HigginsPosted
  • Professional
  • New York City, NY
  • Posts 18
  • Votes 5

You'll need a variance if you're building something that isn't 'as-of-right'. The approval process could take anywhere from months to years depending on your local ZBA process. Talk to a local architect they can give you more info on the process based on whatever zoning change you're asking for. 

Post: The TRUTH about the economy and investing

Sean R HigginsPosted
  • Professional
  • New York City, NY
  • Posts 18
  • Votes 5


The global economy, supply chain, and capital markets have come to a complete halt.... How will that not have a major economic impact on assets specifically real estate? 

Commercial real estate was already grappling with some challenges before this. Obviously there are going be be major changes and challenges in office and retail especially in urban environments. But i'm sure housing will see a blip as well. I would not want to be a levered up developer with a lot of office or retail inventory on my hands. Not to mention all the stuff that's in construction, way behind schedule based on the delays and inability to get materials and manpower. But I'm a pessimist. 

Post: Poughkeepsie Zoning and Value Add

Sean R HigginsPosted
  • Professional
  • New York City, NY
  • Posts 18
  • Votes 5

@Travis Hutchinson if you have a site plan or a survey of the property I could do some back of napkin zoning calcs for you; DM me. 

Post: Poughkeepsie Zoning and Value Add

Sean R HigginsPosted
  • Professional
  • New York City, NY
  • Posts 18
  • Votes 5

R-4 is medium density housing. It depends on the size of the lot. There are minimum dimensional requirements, ie the lot must be a minimum of 20'-0" and it must be over a specified size in square-feet. 

Post: 2Acre Lot, Multi-Family Build?

Sean R HigginsPosted
  • Professional
  • New York City, NY
  • Posts 18
  • Votes 5



If you have no design or construction experience you're going to have to expand your team to build a solid proforma. Start with an experienced architect who can do cost estimates or a GC who will do some pre-con services for you. 

You'll need to expend some budget upfront on soft costs just to get the project permitted, priced up, etc... Your proforma should include anywhere from 20 - 30% for soft costs. Don't forget contingencies either. To @Matt Devincenzo point if you're experienced and can provided these services yourself you can build at a discount. 

I don't know anything about building in SC so i'm just talking in general. 

Post: Financial Advisor says: Real Estate is a terrible decision

Sean R HigginsPosted
  • Professional
  • New York City, NY
  • Posts 18
  • Votes 5

If he's a finance guy show him the pro-forma - the numbers are the numbers. Just make sure you have some contingency baked in the pro-forma and there is no holes he can exploit. Also, have you guys had an architect or GC put the numbers together for the reno?

 He's going to have a hard time making an solid argument if you guys have a plan that's organized with numbers that make sense.

Make sure you have a design and construction contingency, good luck!