All Forum Posts by: Tiffany Plovie

I am reaching out to the BP community to ask for help, advice and insight!

   I am in the process of building a brand new website. I would like it to convey who I am and what I do in professional manner. It needs to be able to link both to the mls (so that my clients can set up search options), contain links to my listings and contact forms and a link to my blog.

  I would like something that I could customize or have built for me from scratch. I also would like the ability to access and change the text of my website without going through a third-party.

  Whew! I know I am asking for a lot, but surely someone out there has gone through a similar process!!

   What companies did or did not work for you? Are there any build-it-yourself templates that would fit what I am asking?

Thank you in advance!

@Christopher Vincent 

   Welcome to BP!  I am an investor's agent/portfolio consultant located in Bellevue, WA.  We are practically neighbors! I recommend reading through this site and listening to the podcasts.

You might want to start here:

Where to Begin: http://beta.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing

And you might find the following podcasts helpful:

Getting Started in Wholesaling: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/05/22/bp-podcast-071-lead-generation-phillip-vincent/

Overcoming Inaction, Direct Mail and Successful Wholesaling:

http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/04/24/bp-podcast-067-tim-gordon-wholesaling/

Flipping and Wholesaling Homes While Working Full-Time:

http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/02/20/058-flipping-wholesaling-homes-working-full-time-justin-silverio/

I would also like to invite you to the upcoming Washington BP meet-up with @Brandon Turner . You can find the official information here:

http://beta.biggerpockets.com/forums/521/topics/133549-washington-state-offical-bp-meetup---south-sound---july-8th-2014

It will be a great opportunity for you to network, meet the people you see so often posting on the forums and make great connections. Remember, you have a great skill-set simply by working in the construction field. Examine ways that you can be of service to other investors and get involved in the forum.

Let me know if you would like to be added to our guest list!

Tiffany

@Natalie Davidson 

   I advise my clients to never put all of their eggs in one basket.

    I understand the temptation to be debt-free. I have always hated the idea of owing anyone anything.

  While having full homeownership is every property investor's dream, it first begins with wise planning, for real estate and life in general.

  As someone who has been exactly where you are... And followed through with the purchase... I have learned through experience that it is better to keep your costs low, build up a significant cash reserve, and then begin paying off the loans.

   Remember, that after achieving your cash reserve requirements, the rate at which you pay off your loans is up to you. Please keep in mind that you can always pay your mortgage off with one lump-sum payment (just make sure that the loan carries no pre-payment riders or penalties).

   Seriously consider taking a 10, 15 or even 30-year note with 20% down. You will still have the ability to pay-off the loan, should you decide you feel uncomfortable carrying this much debt. Additionally, I would rent out the other room for additional income and set it aside for repairs and property maintenance.

  Also, having cash in the bank will give you peace of mine. The biggest emergencies in life (ie, the death of a loved one, caring for a family member and the unexpected loss of a job), all require that you have enough cash reserves to pay for expenses incurred outside of your main residence.

  If you plan on purchasing more houses in the future, strategically set aside seed money for your next purchase, build your cash reserves, pay-off (or down) this house so that it cash-flows and leverage that money (after saving 50% in a contingency fund for vacancies, ect.) into buying another house.

An alternate path to consider:

http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2012/12/12/make-a-million-dollars/

Let us know what you decide, and keep us posted!

@Jeffrey Lester 

You have already received some sound advice above.

   I would also recommend volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, as you learn basic home-building and functional skills that will allow you to fix basic maintenance problems that are bound to arise in the properties you will own.

   It also looks great on a resume! Not to mention, it is a good way to give back to the community.  

@Richard Rolle Done! I am so glad you can make it! It is going to be the event of the year, unless a National BP summit happens!

@Isaac Frost 

Welcome to BP!

   I was lurker for a long time as well before actively becoming a member of the BP team. As GC, you have a lot of knowledge and insight into rehabs/flips that other investors may need help with.

   I would make sure to set your Keyword Alerts to include Oregon, Portland, Washington and Seattle, as well as including Rehab, Flip and Contractor. Connect with as many people as you can in your area, and you will go the distance!

I hope you find both a home and sense of community.  We are here to support you!

@Syed Firoz  On the original contract, where both of the names (husband and wife) listed within the document itself? Or even listed as husband and wife? Did the contract mention at all anything about having two tenants?

@Syed Firoz 

   I would have to see the lease before commenting on whether or not the document was valid. Most leases have a clause that names the parties of the lease, so in this case it would contain both the name of the husband and the wife. The contract is considered invalid if both parties do not sign.

  Honestly, no matter what the case may be, they are not people you want in your property. In fact, the more time you spend arguing with them, you are losing out on money from GOOD tenants. If you want pursue legal recourse against them, consult an attorney and see what they have to say.

Time is money.

Don't waste any more of it.

@Jason Smith Welcome to BP!

   You have come to the right place for help!

Have you ever thought about an FHA loan? They require 3% down and allow you to buy MFH as long as you occupy one of the units. It also allows you to leverage the money you do have into gaining more financing, as they take into account income from the property and add it to your own... Letting you qualify for a larger property.

Just a thought!

Hi Everyone!

    It will be such a pleasure to meet everyone in person!

@Account Closed I am sad that you cannot make it. It was so nice to meet you and spend some time with you recently. I really hope that I get to see you again soon! Perhaps sometime when I am down in that area we can have lunch or grab a cup of coffee... And bond over shared experiences! LOL!