All Forum Posts by: Shawn Couch

I own several rentals in NWI. A good PM is probably a busy PM. Generally, they don't communicate very well, unless you are a bigger client. Many times communication is you, the owner, looking at buildium, etc.  Also, remember that many of the cities are super strict, especially if your property had the utilities off for an extended period of time.  We are talking about bringing items up to current code, when it was just fine for the last owner. Getting a new unit started up generally requires a lot of work, especially when the unit was shuttered up for a period of time, and then rehabbed.  Believe me, it can be very frustrating, but once you are operating, things usually go fairly smooth if you have rehabbed the property sufficiently.  Finally, there will be random repair charges from time to time, but think of how much time and money it would cost you to go out and change an HVAC filter.  You are getting a bargain having a PM at 10% and being at best, a 4 hour flight away.  Good luck, and message me if you want to talk shop.

Welcome @Donnell Jackson to BP and the SD real estate market. The VA loan is an amazing way for AD military to get a foot in the real estate world. If you aren't real familiar with the VA loan guaranty, give me a shout and I can fill you in, and also turn you on to a few local VA lenders. I have a good suggestion for your first foray into the market.

@Account Closed, I am just down the road from Oside.  It is a sweet little market for coastal southern CA, kind of the forgoten step child that is coming into it's own.  Let me know if you want to chat about local RE, or investing from afar, as I do.

Hope to talk or message with you guys soon.

Sounds like a decent deal. What town is it in? I have a few in Hammond at that rent that I would sell for $70-75K. 

@Richard Bailey I am curious to hear what you have worked with.

Northwest Indiana has been pretty good to me for the last 2+ years. I have had very little Tenant issues, but when I did have to evict one bad Tenant, he was gone in a matter of weeks. From what I hear, it can take up to 6 months in Illinois. That is a lot of pain and no rent for an individual investor like you and me.

@Dan G. May be a good resource swap in the making.

@Cliff Hoberman, Welsome to BP!  Lot's of good info is available in the forums and pod casts.  There are also many people here that are like minded.  Let me know what you are looking for, and I will try to help.

Appreciation due to inflation/money printing. Real estate is a hard asset.  Regardless of the actual stated price, there is always a value for real estate that will be proportional to other costs in life.  Also, Interest rates are still at historic lows and although these low rates are likely causing inflated pricing in hard assets, a long term horizon should shelter you from any corrections.

Consider a 2 or 3 unit property for a higher cash on cash potential. There are a few decent deals to be had in this catogory.  PM me if you would like to see some numbers on a few deals.

Good luck, and prosperous investing.

Gents,  The answer to your question should usually be that you just need one property for a property manager.  They will just put you into the mix of all of their other properties.  You might get better responses to questions and/or concerns if you have more property, and you should be able to get a better rate with more properties also.  Good luck.

@Miguel Charles

Welcome to San Diego, BiggerPockets, and real estate investing.  I am currently working with a BP member who just relocated from NC.  He is military and we are trying to find a home purchase that can turn into a successful rental when he is ready to move up, or move on.  Let me know if you want some help too.