All Forum Posts by: Varun Chawla

The insurance is very cheap at 10-15 a month and says it covers up till 10k. Although, I am concerned this may be one of those things that never pays out, so wanted to see what other people who have used it have to say about it

Hey everyone, wondering if any of you carry sewer line insurance and if so, do you go with HomeServe or another provider?

I recently had a property with a sewer line issue despite getting a good scope during inspection. Turns out there are some low spots, and now I’m dealing with costly repairs. The realtor recommended a fix, but it’s expensive.

Looking back, I’m wondering if I should have taken the insurance. Anyone have experience with these policies—do they actually cover the big-ticket repairs, or is it just another unnecessary expense? Appreciate any insights!

Hey BP community,

I am considering investing in a real estate developer using the Build, Refinance, Rent & Repeat (BRRR 2.0) strategy. Instead of buying existing properties and rehabbing them, the idea is to partner with a builder who constructs new rental properties, then refinance and rent them out.

Has anyone here invested in a builder/developer under this model? If so:

1. What should I look for when evaluating the builder/developer?

2. What are the key risks or potential pitfalls in this strategy?

3. Any specific contract clauses or safeguards I should include?

4. How do these deals typically perform in terms of cash flow and equity growth?

I would love to hear from anyone with experience in this space whether you've done it yourself or know someone who has. Thanks in advance for your insights!

I’m an out-of-state investor as well—I live in California but don’t invest in real estate here. It can absolutely be done, and many of us have built successful portfolios remotely.

The hardest part for out-of-state investors is deciding which area to invest in. Once you’ve narrowed that down (based on market research, affordability, rental demand, and future appreciation potential), the rest becomes more manageable.

Start by connecting with a real estate agent who has experience working with out-of-state investors. They’ll often have insights into the market and can help you find properties that align with your goals. From there, slowly build your team—this is crucial for managing a property from afar. You’ll want to find a reliable mortgage agent, property manager, and handyman. Many times, your realtor or resources like BiggerPockets can provide solid recommendations.

It’s not as tough as it seems, but the key is taking your time to build the right network and systems. Best of luck with your first rental property

Hi Jamison,

Kansas City is a fantastic market for someone with your skills and background! There’s no shortage of properties that could benefit from your expertise, and using your team during slower periods is a smart way to build equity and maximize returns.

If you’re considering your first project, I’d suggest looking at duplexes in Belton, MO. I own several duplexes there and they’ve been solid investments with no issues finding renters. The rental demand in the area has been consistent, and duplexes offer the flexibility of house hacking or scaling into multi-family investing over time.

With your experience in construction and remodeling, you're already ahead of the game—fix-and-flips or BRRRR projects in Kansas City could be a perfect fit for you.

Hi Kevin,

Welcome to the Kansas City investing scene! As an out-of-state investor in Kansas City myself, I'd love to hear how your BRRRR projects turn out. I've done two rehabs from out of state so far, and I can relate to the challenges you mentioned.

One thing I learned the hard way is that managing rehabs remotely can be tough. Not being on the ground makes it difficult to monitor progress and judge the quality of work. I thought I was overcharged for my rehabs, especially because I didn’t have a solid process for oversight in place initially.

I ended up having my property manager oversee the rehab projects, which helped but came at an extra cost—around 10% of the total rehab budget. It was a good learning experience, but it made me realize that staying away from major rehabs (for now) might be the best move until I have a more reliable system in place.

That said, having family in the area like your sister and brother-in-law is a huge advantage! If they can help with boots-on-the-ground oversight or even just vetting contractors, that’ll make a world of difference.

Best of luck with your BRRRR projects—keep us posted on your progress!

Hi Kyle,

Welcome to the world of real estate investing! As a fellow investor who’s also working full-time, I think you’re on the right track by looking into real estate as part of your retirement plan. It’s a fantastic way to diversify your portfolio and build long-term wealth.

A few pieces of advice:

1. 1. Always prioritize cash flow – Even if you don’t need the income now, properties that cash flow will be much more resilient during market downturns or unexpected challenges. It also allows you to reinvest the returns into future properties, helping you scale faster.
2. 2. Be conservative with your numbers – When using a cash-on-cash calculator, I recommend budgeting at least 10% for maintenance and repairs instead of 5%. This gives you a more realistic picture and protects you from unexpected surprises. Especially in Kansas City- where the properties tend to be older
3. 3. Be patient with returns – In the first few years, don’t expect huge returns. Real estate is a long-term game, and your patience will pay off.

Since you’re a dentist, you may have a busy schedule, so consider working with a good property manager.

I’m exploring the idea of buying a vacation home near Yosemite, which I also plan to list on Airbnb. I’ve been looking into areas like Oakhurst, Mariposa, Yosemite West, and surrounding towns.

If you own or manage a vacation rental in this region, I’d love to hear about your experience. Specifically:

• What area did you choose, and why?
• How many bedrooms is your vacation rental?
• What’s your occupancy rate during peak and off-peak seasons?
• Is it difficult to find reliable cleaners and handymen for the property?
• How does the Airbnb licensing process work in your area? Is the number of licenses limited or restricted?

I’m particularly interested in learning about the advantages and challenges of investing in Oakhurst, Mariposa, Yosemite West, or other nearby towns.

Thanks for sharing your insights! I’m looking forward to hearing about your experiences and any tips you have for someone considering a similar investment.