All Forum Posts by: Stephanie Beard

I also just found this too..  Brokers who work with landlords looking to connect with growers/renters. Didn't look into it too too much honestly, just up late can't sleep haha

http://www.marijuanarealestatecolorado.com

pros and cons not construction.. *auto correct* eeek

Glad I found this post! My husband is a medical patient in MA and thoroughly enjoys growing, and gardening in general. He used to grow and had the limit per state  law... Indoor organics, a tent, he watered and transplanted, had co2 things to prevent odor, and 100% up to code for ventilation and lighting, etc. (pardon my lack of "grow jargon"). A lock was on the door the small grow was in and only those with medical cards were permitted in. We rent, LL is aware, we pay all utilities.. Never an issue. However that being said, we have a great report with the LL and I act as property manager and assist in managing his properties. There are definitely pros and construction to allowing this. Honestly, I have s job offer in Denver and I'm flying there for the day this Thursday 8/13 however my husband doesn't want to live in the community I'm managing because he won't be allowed to grow... And it's hard to find a landlord that we can openly grow with.. Which we have here. If you have the right person, then yes, they will stay for a long time realizing that they are fortunate to be allowed to grow.. I honestly might be moving to Denver alone with my 4yr old and 4mo old so my husband can tie up loose ends here and find an LL near Denver that will allow him to grow :/ 

Not sure if this helps much, but this link I found incredibly useful regarding CO marijuana laws and renting.. Regardless of which way you go, this article might prove useful.

http://www.robinsonandhenry.com/landlords-and-marijuana/

Hi There,

For those of you who currently own real estate or are looking to get started with your real estate ventures, I can not stress enough the importance of market research.

My experience in property management has lead me to be acquired by a large nonprofit company to complete a market study for their company. They want to sell or lease their current five story building and acquire new property to relocate their corporate offices. They also have over 50 locations that they want market research completed for... Among other tasks/goals detailed in the contract I have with them. I'm kind-of their "Property Management Consultant, Director of Real Estate Development & Research / Eexecutive Assistant."  All done virtually :)

I also work with various local landlords who are lost with regards to whether or not they should increase rents, when to increase rents, and how to go about improving their ROI.
Research. Research. Research. But don't over do it. You have to know who your "market comparables" (market comps) are, and who isn't... and sometimes that alone can be an overwhelming and daunting task. So here are some simple guidelines to get you started and to help reduce the anxiety that can sometimes accompany market research.

1) DEFINE GOALS. Are you trying to increase current rents? Sell a property? Acquire
    new property? List anything and everything you want to achieve, and set them as
    measurable and achievable goals with reasonable deadlines.

2) CREATE DATABASES.  Are you familiar with Excel? Word? Microsoft Office?
    Whatever it might be, use it.  Start with your first goal, and create a database to input
    all of your information. Ex: If your first goal is to compare average rents in the area to
    your three family income property, the first database you should create is a
    spreadsheet to hold this information. You also need to set parameters, such as "My
    property is dated so I am only going to look at properties of similar age/appearance
    /size. My property is in Middleboro, MA and there are not many apartments on the
    market in Middleboro at this time, so I am keeping my research to towns within a 25
    minute drive."

3) ANALYSIS. Once you have your data, take a break from it. Then go back to review it
    with a fresh, clear mind.  Maybe you decided to add or remove some data. Make a
    note as to why. Then WRITE down your analysis. Ex: Yes it is easy to look at it and say,
    "okay the average rent per SF is $1.36 and I am charging $1.50 so maybe I should
    keep my rent where it is or decrease it."  What isn't always easy, is the "added value."
    Maybe your rent is higher, and your apartments aren't as cosmetically stunning as the
    competition. But maybe you have something else to offer. Is it the newest? No.
    However, you include utilities, have a large fenced in yard, and on-site laundry, and no
    one else does. These are "added value" that can be broken down further (if you
    please) and justify your higher than average market rent.

4) FUNDING.  This of course, is only in "some cases" pending your projects and real
    estate needs. So, this step may or may not apply to you. If it does though, this is yet
    another thing to consider.  Do you have enough cash flow to pull from one RE project
    and invest into another?  Do you use a traditional bank loan -- and if so, which one?
    Are you familiar with nontraditional loans such as hard money lending, angel investors,
    and "pay for success" programs?  In some cases, if you need this step, there is even
    more research to be completed.

Of course, this is all "in a nut-shell" and any professional experienced with what I have aforementioned can recognize that.  However I have recently come across several individuals and companies that do not know where to begin with market research, never even considered the impact of market research, or simply don't have the time.

That being said, I am happy to expand my services to those interested and while I am located 45 minutes south of Boston, MA many services can be completed remote. I have thoroughly enjoyed my work as an independent contractor in real estate/property management and would like to continue helping others get started.

@Kurt Ciesielski really?  Another BP user sent me a message as well, stating they had ads everywhere for an investor.  She responded to their Craigs List ad..

I hate to miss the opportunity of a life time, but too many red flags!  Not to mention my sudden decision to take my business affairs elsewhere resulted in the immediate end of any further conversation with "Bianca."

Wouldn't an actual investor be curious as to why someone they are interested in doing business with, backed out?

I don't have much to lose honestly, but I certainly don't want to be caught in the middle of some money laundering scheme!

Thank you everyone! Running for the hills, I am!

I knew the $900k was ALOT. I mean yes I sent big numbers, and yes I could have invested that and structured everything so that the "investor" would get their $900k back plus about another $200k in the first 1 1/2 years.

But really, I was expecting more, "I like what I see but lets start smaller..." Maybe with a skype or email, or something like that. I mean if I had millions in my bank, and I was going to invest, I would be investigating the person trying to start out a lot more than this "Bianca" is!

For kicks and giggles, I am going to print everything and bring it to the local police. If they can do something with it great. If not, well, at least I feel I did my part to help the larger public/others from falling for this scam!

*Runnning awayyyy*

Thanks everyone!

I'll stick with trying to find someone who will offer a 35% carry back and pay closing costs. A needle in a hay stack for sure, but it's the only loan I can get for the time being :)

...*linkedin not Lincoln 😑

ugh speak text. I DO have experience and a job. We can barely save as it is not see.. Ugh

I just want to clarify that I'm used to being on the investing name, but I don't not have a track record. I have a decade of experience in property management, creating financial report in the million for the investors who owned the property. I just want a chance to be on the other end! I do have a job, but I'm sorry. In Massachusetts the cost of living is atrocious and I have 3 kids, my husband doesn't make the best of money because he works with his hands. We can barely see it as it is! There's no way I would be able to save up enough capital on my own. And unfortunately any family in friends we know are in much worse situations than we are and can not provide us with any start up funds. I figured this was a scam, but when I googled her name and different information nothing came up. I entertain the idea for a little bit and have had some extensive conversations with this person, and as much as they are trying to say they are not a scammer and it's a legitimate investment, I'm not comfortable with the situation and will not be doing business with this person. I can't remember if she emailed me from Craigslist or if it was through Lincoln, or this site. I have to go back and check. It was sent from her own gmail account

Thats exactly what I figured! Figured I'd share not only because I'm weary... But as an fyi to others. What a shame. 😑