Skip to content
×
PRO
Pro Members Get Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
$0
TODAY
$69.00/month when billed monthly.
$32.50/month when billed annually.
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here
Pick markets, find deals, analyze and manage properties. Try BiggerPockets PRO.
x
All Forum Categories
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

All Forum Posts by: Trent Strang

Trent Strang has started 4 posts and replied 9 times.

Post: Tracking Monthly Cash-Flow

Trent StrangPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Lansing, MI
  • Posts 9
  • Votes 4

I am a brand new investor, just bought my first duplex. I know there is a TON of options in tracking monthly cash flow. I want to make sure I’m using an affordable program for a small investor, but also allows me to grow and doesn’t become super manual. What is everyone using? (QB, Stessa...??) Need suggestion!

Post: Tracking Monthly Cash-Flow

Trent StrangPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Lansing, MI
  • Posts 9
  • Votes 4

I am a brand new investor, just bought my first duplex. I know there is a TON of options in tracking monthly cash flow. I want to make sure I’m using an affordable program for a small investor, but also allows me to grow and doesn’t become super manual. What is everyone using? (QB, Stessa...??) Need suggestion!

Post: First Deal - House Hack: Need Advice

Trent StrangPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Lansing, MI
  • Posts 9
  • Votes 4

@Alex Corrion thanks for the great advice Alex! I think I have met you at the REI group before? I think you make a great point with the turnover cost and lease expirations. I would originally going to put a 6 month lease in place beginning I April but I have since decided to do a 3 month trial run (because I'm inheriting) which will make the lease expire June 30th. This will allow me to renew a 12 month lease or bring in new tenants at the prime time for renting. Thank you for the great points! We should meet up sometime for coffee/breakfast and talk real estate. I would love to hear about your business!

Post: First Deal - House Hack: Need Advice

Trent StrangPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Lansing, MI
  • Posts 9
  • Votes 4

@Noah Krietsch Noah, thank you so much for your detailed and thoughtful reply! I am actually in the same boat as you, I have taken into account $110/mo for vacancy between the 2 units ($55/mo/unit). Even if I don’t raise rents, essentially I get to pocket $55/mo that I have taken into account for vacancy every year that she continues to stay. Not to mention searching for a new tenant, turnover expenses and peace of mind knowing the unit isn’t being destroyed. This is the same thought path I was thinking, I just wanted to get some advice on what others do when they takeover units.

Post: First Deal - House Hack: Need Advice

Trent StrangPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Lansing, MI
  • Posts 9
  • Votes 4

I finally pulled the trigger on my first duplex which is super exciting!!! (It’s been a long time coming). The duplex is in the surrounding Lansing area. I’m doing conventional owner occupied financing 5% down at 4.75%. I am housing hacking, which is what allowed me to put such little money down.

I am a newbie so I would love to hear your thoughts, comments, concerns (numbers posted below). One of the biggest battles I am going back and fourth with is to raise rents or not to raise rents on current tenant, if so, what is fair?

The current tenant is very clean, takes great care of her unit and has lived there 7 years. I bought it (and it was being rented) as a 2 bed 1 bath, which for this area can rent anywhere from $750-$850 depending on sq ft and condition. She is paying $700. Each side of the duplex technically is 3 bd 1 bath as their is a legal basement bedroom with egress window and meets other requirements to be a bedroom. As a 3bd 1 bath this should be renting for $850-$1,000 depending on condition. So again I would love to hear thoughts, comments, concerns on what you would do/have done with your units when taking over. Good tenants but low rent, how do you handle? Thank!

(Numbers are run as if both units are rented: one at current rent $700 one at market rent rates $850. Both units will be rented in the future)

Purchase Price: $117,500

Cash to Close (5% down): $5,875

Rent (current): $1,550

Tax: $378/mo (will go down w/owner occupied)

Ins: $100/mo

Mort: $582/mo

Pm (10%): $155/mo (self managed I will pocket)

Vac (7%): $110/mo

Repairs (5%): $75/mo

Cap X (7%): $110/mo

Total Expenses: $1,510/mo

Cash Flow/mo: (I added back in the PM expense to cash flow because I will self manage $1,705)

$1,705-$1,510=$195/mo

Cash on Cash ROI:

$2,340/$5,875= 40%

Post: New To BiggerPockets

Trent StrangPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Lansing, MI
  • Posts 9
  • Votes 4

@Jake Stuttgen I appreciate it Jake! Thanks for reaching out to welcome me.

Post: New To BiggerPockets

Trent StrangPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Lansing, MI
  • Posts 9
  • Votes 4

@George Blower thanks George! Nice to meet you.

Post: New To BiggerPockets

Trent StrangPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Lansing, MI
  • Posts 9
  • Votes 4

@Jake Stuttgen the house hack is going well so far. Inspections came back well. The appraisal has taken place and I am set to close the beginning of March. Both units occupied, one tenant will move out end of March and I am set to move in beginning of April!

Post: New To BiggerPockets

Trent StrangPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Lansing, MI
  • Posts 9
  • Votes 4

Hi BiggerPockets Community:

I have been following BiggerPockets for quite sometime and listen to the podcast regularly. I am a relatively new rental property investor from Lansing, MI. I just purchased my first house hack in the Lansing surrounding area. My goal is to take the next step becoming a resource, as well as learning and interacting with my fellow BP members.