All Forum Posts by: Tom Smith

Is there a way you can find out ALL the homes a realtor has sold? Does Zillow tell you all of the homes a real estate agent has sold in the past? If not, is there a way to find out how many homes a real estate agent has sold and at what price? 

 If property managers and landlords have locks, isn't it very easy for them to steal tenant possessions? I am assuming it is illegal for anyone besides the tenant or renter to go into the property without permission of the tenant/renter?

I want to change the room locks so that my possessions won't get stolen.

If you rent a room in Houston, TX can you change locks and not give the landlord the key? I am planning on renting in Houston, TX first before I buy a rental property. I am wondering what the laws are on tenants changing locks in Houston, TX. I want to be able to change the lock and not have anyone have the key by myself. The landlord should accept that for a room rental right? 

Also, will renting a room almost always be a sublease or a lease? I am assuming it will probably be a sublease. 

Thanks.

What if you paid too little but the property has appreciated significantly compared to rents? Wouldn't that put you at negative cash flow as well? 

When should you pull cash out of your properties? Won't pulling cash out or doing a cash-out-refinance on a home that has appreciated significantly result in negative cash flow? Should you only pull cash out of a property if it will still cash flow positive and if you are actively investing? Should you ever leave the cash in a property?

I am a relatively new investor and am having trouble with this concept. 

Thank you Kristina? Anyone else? Is a cheap condo still too risky of an investment to buy straight away in a new city? I just want to make sure I can sell it if I want to get out for the same price or more and/or pull equity out using a cash-out-refinance. 

I have looked at a lot of homes and the place is a cheapest $ per square foot. I don't think I will find any cheaper per square foot. What if after 6 months of renting that's the one I end up buying?

Anyone know whether it is better to rent in a new city first or buy a cheap condo (under $85k) to house hack? This is my first time buying a condo/home and first time house hacking. I have the money to purchase the condo in cash. HOA fees are around $375/mo so this would be less than if I were to rent at around $500-$750/month. I would also have 1-2 bed rooms to be able to start renting out if I bought the condo. Should I still rent first in the area for 1-2 months or longer before I buy anything?

Thanks for your posts. I know the HOA rules vary, but is there an average of HOA rules or is the spread (standard deviation) too large for there to be "average HOA rules"?

Can you say that most HOA's in Houston, TX will allow me to do the above (i.e. sleep in living room and rent out all rooms; rent to 2 (or more) tenants per room; and install walls (or temporary walls) in the living room to make another bedroom)?

Again, I want to know the average/mean HOA rules to what I am trying to do (if there is one) in Houston, TX.

Thank you so much.

House hacking Condo: Can you sleep in the living room & rent out the other bedrooms? 

I am planning to house hack a 2 bedroom 2 bath (1000 sqft) condo in Houston, TX. I am wondering if I am able to sleep in the living room and rent out all of the bedrooms. Is this legal and should it be accepted by the HOA?

Can I make any additions to the inside of the condo like another bedroom? I may plan to use wood studs to make another bedroom in the living room area (either a temporary one or permanent). Is this legal and should it be accepted by the HOA?

Thank you.

Going through Real Estate License courses: How much will I use as an Real Estate agent? I posted a thread like this a while ago and everyone told me I would not use 90%+ of the information. However, I am going through the course right now and it seems like a lot of it is very important to being a real estate agent (agency, laws, etc.). I don't get why people say that I won't use 90%+ of the information? It seems like I won't use maybe LESS THAN 20%-30% of the course to me.. Please explain. Thank you.