All Forum Posts by: Martha Nowlan

25% is pretty standard, although along with commissions there is no official standard. That's pretty solid as side income if you're able to get enough referrals. It's a nice side income for active full time agents (like me). I am not 100% sure about getting commission for representing yourself in buying, but definitely be careful doing that. A lot of agents I know use another agent for their deals to keep themselves from being emotional about it.

Can't speak to costs of getting licensed in VA because I'm in VT, but if you are an investor, the classes might be worthwhile anyways because you'll learn a lot that'll help you with that process regardless. I'd say go for it, just don't bother being an NAR member because that's the most expensive fee tbh...

KW is the top training org in the world and is #1 in the country... I joined a KW team (Hergenrother Realty Group) and have the leverage to have gotten 8 listings in my first two months in real estate. If you want training as a new agent, go KW. Hands down. And I can't speak to the culture everywhere, but the culture in the KW Vermont office is amazing. Better place to work than the B Corps solar company I worked for previously. Stronger culture, nicer people, more training.

I'm the mysterious Martha @Brian Wilcock is referring to.

@Andrew McManamon I have 6 listings in my first 2 months as a realtor from calling craigslist FSBOs. Call them to have a conversation, come from contribution, and get an appointment to see their home. If you can, make it clear that you want to help them sell it (don't just pretend to preview for an interested buyer). Alternatively, if you are solo and not on a team, join a team, at least to start. You need those leads, training, and resources to ramp up your business.

@Eva Morel Depends on the PMI costs and your other short term goals. If you're going to save X amount of money without PMI, might be worthwhile to just use your cash. But if you want to keep acquiring properties in the short term, yeah you'll want the cash. Just my two cents.

And I'll second the note from @Ben Granja that you just have to offer what works for you on diff properties and wait for one to work out. If someone outbids you and you did your math right, they're not going to cash flow or they know something you don't.

@Eva Morel I'm a Realtor in the area (based in South Burlington), and yeah multi families go fast, especially when they are cash positive. You'll need a good Realtor who knows how to win the offer, and you'll need competitive offer. Hopefully you are already prequalified for financing. 

As @Jonna Weber said, you'll need to be aware of what the leases look like. With FHA financing you should have 60 days until you need to occupy if it is to be owner occupied.

Have you thought about looking in other areas of VT? Barre for example, I know it's not amazing to live there but if it's just for rental income, you can get a cheap property and charge decent rents.

Happy to help you with this deal if you aren't already working with an agent. Obviously I love working with investors or I wouldn't be on Bigger Pockets!

Hey, I'm in!

Me! But you probably found one by now.

Hey there! I’m a bit late in this but I’m a Realtor in VT and love working with investors. Look me up and hit me up. Martha Nowlan at Keller Williams.

Hey Bruce. I’m a realtor in Vermont but not an investor... yet! Yes, comps are hard in Vermont sometimes. Anything on auction or foreclosure is a good deal regardless. Any realtor will have access to at least some of the info about assessed value etc. If you don’t trust your realtor, you shouldn’t be working with them. Find someone you trust. Look me up, Martha Nowlan with Keller Williams. I’d be happy to connect about how I might be able to help. I love working with investors!