All Forum Posts by: Toxey McDavid

I've got a 27" deep closet upstairs I'd like to convert to a laundry center, and it's looking pretty tight unless I buy some really expensive European compact washer and dryers. 

Is there a relatively cheap laundry product that I can squeeze in here? 

If not, could I squeeze out a few inches in the back wall? (There's a shower behind the wall, do it would just be the actual depth of the wall I could gain, perhaps with a small header making a recessed area). 

I think moving the laundry out of the downstairs garage would be a good selling point, but the logistics of the idea are confounding me a bit. Hoping someone has already solved this.

Thanks! 

Toxey

Four states? That's a mighty big area to farm for properties. If you're just getting started you might pull less hair out if you focus on a smaller space. But that's just one person's opinion, and I'm only a part timer at this point. Toxey

Welcome Angel, I have family in Madison. Welcome to BP! Madison seems like an expensive area, are you looking for properties at home or outside your area? Toxey

Welcome Lisa, We're in the middle of our first flip and we're tired! Lol. Seriously though, it's been rewarding and fun so far, with a lot of hard work, which we plan to mostly contract out next time. :) We wish you the best! Toxey

While not technically a favorite, I'm focusing on Irondale because it's a familiar area local to me, with pricing that's right for me right now. Trussville was an interest, but Irondale is closer. It's really a matter of deciding where I wanted to focus my interest, and since I love driving for dollars it's close and reasonably safe. Toxey

Hi Jay, Welcome to BP. I don't have the experience to comment on your assessment about appreciation, but the ratings look reasonable for the areas. I've been told appreciation is always icing on the cake, with "the cake" being a good buy. Meaning, wherever you buy, no matter the rating, you are primarily focused on purchasing the property at a good discount. Appreciation by negotiation. Normal real estate appreciation, the kind agents and homeowners talk about, is dependent on a lot of factors. City government, changes in taxes, the spirit of the neighborhood, trends and the whims of the next generation of buyers. But the kind of appreciation we can (usually) count on is that which we create at purchase time. It's all about the buy. Buy it below its fixed up value, and you've got appreciation after it is repaired. That's a lot more certain than the hope a neighborhood will improve, and usually a much higher rate of "appreciation". Toxey

Surely there are Montgomery area members on BP! Have you set up keyword searches yet, perhaps for Prattville, Millbrook, Montgomery, and maybe Autauga and Elmore? You could do these searches manually I know, but the free keyword searches will bring them too you whenever they are posted. (Assuming you've set up a free BP) account. I'd also be surprised if there wasn't a Montgomery meetup group already. Toxey

Destin Challenger , We're only somewhat further on the path than you, but my business partner and I are always willing to talk with fellow investors. I would dive in to the ultimate beginner's guide on biggerpockets to get a better idea which area of real estate investing works best for you. Sorry I missed your post! Toxey

Brian Gawronski , Are you looking for a place to live, or invest? If investment, are you buy and hold, flipping? I'm not sure I would ever count on appreciation in the Birmingham market. I would buy below value and count on that. Toxey

Surely there's a way to de-squat a squatter. I'm not sure a city public employee is the most in-the-know person to ask. Any real estate lawyers have thoughts on this issue?