All Forum Posts by: Steve Porcello

@Victor Eng Thank you for your response, I appreciate the info!

@Derreck Wells 

Derreck,

Thank you for replying, you make some great points. I understand that the containment practices can make the cost of the project add up, as well as the initial costs of buying equipment, licensing etc..

I am still considering moving forward with obtaining the lead removal license, as I do the rehab myself. I do have another thought I'm sure you could elaborate on.

Say I bought a single family house, and it was just absolutely full of lead paint. On the windows, in the door jambs, on all of the trim, on the walls, and so on. If I was going to have the lead legally removed, I would consider removing all of the wood, all of the drywall, and anything with lead on it. When I say "remove" I mean completely taking the wood out, and replacing it with brand new material, rather than stripping the lead off of the existing material. I recently looked at a house that had 10 lead covered windows, about 8 lead covered door jambs, and the majority of the walls were painted with lead. I know walls are a little different because they are not always "bite-able", but I think I would rather remove all of the lead material and replace it in this situation rather than stripping and leaving the existing material.

Any thought on this? Removing completely vs stripping? What would the ballpark figure be to completely dispose of 10 windows, 8 door jambs, plus a few walls? 

Thanks again in advance,

-Steve

Thank you all for the responses. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

@Derreck Wells Thank you for the offer. If I ever need a property searched I will be sure to notify you!

I just created another topic about becoming a lead remover in order to work on your own properties. Hopefully you and other members can chime in there and let me know what you think.

Thanks again,

-Steve

Hi BP,

I hope you are all doing well. I have been looking at properties across the South Shore and a lot of them are full of lead paint... It has been a deal breaker for us because we are looking to rent the properties out, and we do not want to raise any red flags with discrimination and children under 6. I have heard stories of owners forced to remove lead and costing them tens and thousands of dollars, all relevant to how bad/how much lead there really is.

This road bump has really made me consider becoming a licensed lead remover in MA... I don't want to remove lead full time for a company, I just want to be able to remove lead on my own properties. 

Have any of you investors considered becoming a lead remover in order to work on your own properties? 

Thoughts on this? - The potential lead infested properties would be owned under our LLC, and the LLC would potentially hire me, the licensed remover, to complete the job.

I think there are other investors out there in my shoes. Please chime in and let me know if you have considered doing this, or have done it, and what was the outcome? Have you been able to remove lead on your own properties? Are you able to cut down costs?

Fire away! - Steve 

@Eric Dufault

@Eric Dufault 

I have noticed the inventory of multi families in New Bedford and Fall River. Cheap, too! My concerns are the location and the safety within the communities. Anyone investing in the area please chime in. If you are renting property in the New Bedford and Fall River area, please let me know what it is like. I have questions like: How are your tenants? Are they section 8 tenants? Do they attract negative attention to your property? Any input is highly appreciated.

@Ann Bellamy Thank you Ann. Let me know if I can help you with any questions you may have. 

Hello everyone,

My name is Steve. Me and a partner have experience with SFH, condos, apartments, and small storefronts geographically between Boston and Cape Cod. We primarily buy, rehab (if necessary, usually less than $100k,) and rent.

We are trying to grow, and have had a particular interest in duplexes,triplexes,fourplexes, or even 5+ (very hard to find 5+ in my area). It can be quite difficult to find deals in this area, especially with the real estate boom taking place in Boston and branching out into surrounding communities.

Should I consider looking into RI? Is the process any easier/more difficult than MA? If yes, then in what way? If anyone on BP has experience with living in MA and buying multi-families in RI I am open to hearing any stories, good or bad. I don't know much about the market in RI, and I would like to hear about what is going on there. Any predictions for 2017? Thanks guys.

-Steve