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All Forum Posts by: Sterling White

Sterling White has started 34 posts and replied 526 times.

Post: Being Smart vs Analysis Paralysis

Sterling White
Pro Member
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Posts 554
  • Votes 153
Originally posted by @Kyle Scholnick:

I am having a very tough time finding good rental properties to buy. Not just in my expensive area, but everywhere. It seems like after you do a proper analysis, the potential costs/expenses are so high, almost nothing works unless the rent is 2% of the purchase price (which are hard to find as well).

I personally use the following to evaluate a rental property:

Taxes, insurance

Sewer/garbage/electricity/snow plow/HOA (usually paid by tenant, so not as important)

Maintenance 15%

Vacancy 10%

Capital Expenditures 15%

Property Management 10%

Mortgage/interest

I don't like to factor in appreciation at all to be safe

I am conservative with the % of rental increase per year so I try not to use numbers >2-3%

I like to be conservative with the maintenance and capital expenditures, but I don't think these numbers are that unreasonable, yet seems so difficult to find a deal buying  a house around retail price.

Is it only possible to be profitable if I am buying a foreclosure or a distressed property? Can you not be profitable using these numbers just buying retail value?

Am I using too conservative numbers?

I would really appreciate constructive advice from our community, rather than unhelpful comments like "Just look harder." I would really love some of the advice from all you experts and pros who do this stuff in your sleep.

Thanks!

 Those are some pretty conservative numbers, which is good. What markets are you looking in? 

Post: Do you give your tenants gifts?

Sterling White
Pro Member
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Posts 554
  • Votes 153

@Federico Gutierrez as you stated there is no right or wrong answer. For my tenants I do often times give them gifts. If I have a tenant that has been paying consistently on time over the course of a year and lease is about to end. I do have a belief that by being a good landlord this will make them comfortable and not want to leave.

I just like the human feel of things

Post: First time screening tenant, please help!

Sterling White
Pro Member
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Posts 554
  • Votes 153

I totally agree with @Matt Motil above on having your acceptance/denial criteria that you do not sway from. When it comes down to approving tenants you have to take out your emotions, and stick to your criteria.

There will be plenty of other qualified applicants(hopefully your property is in good location). Just be patient

Hope that helps

Post: Getting closer to Deal #1 - monthly payments freaking me out!

Sterling White
Pro Member
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Posts 554
  • Votes 153

These are one of the risks with real estate when using leverage @Obaid M. however you should be fine in this scenario. 

Have you spoken with any of the tenants to feel out where they stand? What condition are the vacant units in? I would start marketing those upon acquisition 

Post: If tenant is not re-signing lease, when do you start showing?

Sterling White
Pro Member
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Posts 554
  • Votes 153
Originally posted by @Kenton C.:

Hi All,

My first tenant in my first ever rental is nearing the end of their 1st year lease. I currently have a PM in place, and their procedures are to ask the tenant 30 days prior to end of lease if they would like to stay for another year. If the tenant is not staying, the PM will wait till tenant moves out, then will make the unit rent ready, THEN start marketing the property. All in all will probably lead to 1 month vacancy (a few days to make unit rent ready, and 3 weeks to market and get new tenant).

I believe this timeline is unacceptable, and that the PM should be asking the tenant 90 days prior to lease end, and if the tenant is not re-signing, the PM should begin marketing and showing the unit right away so that there will be a new tenant lined up, ready to move in right after the unit is made rent ready. 

Landlords, what are your timelines when asking a tenant whether they're staying, and do you show the unit while the tenant is still in the property? Does this become a problem since the tenant still lives there? I'd like to cut down on vacancy as much as possible, and not sure if its standard practice to show the unit when the first tenant is still there. 

Thanks all.

I applaud you on aiming to get this rented sooner rather than later. However trying to market the property while it is occupied can interfere with the tenants privacy often times. eg. People may see a sign in yard and try and get a closer look at the property. I however would start to market it as soon as the tenant has left depending on condition.

Hope that helps 

Post: I made an offer and the seller REJECTED!

Sterling White
Pro Member
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Posts 554
  • Votes 153

As everyone has stated above @Tiffany Cunningham stick with your offer or either walk away. Key in real estate is making money when you buy. I would not try to adjust the numbers to try and make things work.

I will tell you that there are plenty of other deals in the marketplace. Just be patient

Hope that helps

Post: Market analysis tools or websites

Sterling White
Pro Member
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Posts 554
  • Votes 153

I am unaware of the other markets you mentioned @Wallace Zhou. I buy & hold in the Indiana market, which is great for cash flow, however our appreciation is pretty steady. Nowhere near CA of course, but I am a cash flow guy so different strategy. 

Money can be made in just about every market it's just about which market aligns best with your investing strategy.

Your're not expecting to much in my opinion   

Post: Where would you do your first deal?

Sterling White
Pro Member
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Posts 554
  • Votes 153

As others have suggested @Michael Blitshtein with your limited capital it maybe in your best interest to seek other investment opportunities unless you decide to save and wait to buy in your market. 

I would guide you to @Saul L. since he has already came recommended and he is from your backyard so can relate. 

Post: Looking for advice and tips to take my portfolio to the next leve

Sterling White
Pro Member
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Posts 554
  • Votes 153

Hello @Chue Kue are your current properties purchased with cash? If so you can do a refi and acquire more properties.  

Post: Where to find mentors (Not on BP)

Sterling White
Pro Member
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Posts 554
  • Votes 153

@Mary Velazquez in finding a mentor more then often you have to bring some type of value along with you.

When I first started out with my mentor in the industry I offered to help the individual for FREE and in turn I gain an abundance of knowledge from working along them.

Hope that helps