Jimmy Nguyen
Bealeton, VA - New Construction with in-law suite
Hi everyone,I am building a 2800 sq. ft., 4 br/3.5 ba home with a 1600 sq. ft. unfinished basement on my 13 acre farm in Bealeton, VA. Although this is not a spec house or custom build for a client, I am using this o...
Jennifer Cheu
Too ambitious to do bathroom repair myself??
Hi all, Bought my first owner occupy multi family, and decided to live in the most runned-down unit to do some repairs. I'm a mechanical engineer by trade, but have little to no real estate repair experience. I enjo...
Nat C.
Hiring from craigslist?
I am staring renovations on a property this weekend.It's only a 1400 sq ft house in good shape and requires cosmetic fixers.I'm planning to rip up the lino and carpet and install tiles and repaint the entire interior ...
Jose Corbera
Why are mortgages so expensive?
Hi All,I'm about to purchase my first home with the intent to rent it out in due time. The cost of the home is 225k with 3.5% down. My monthly principal and interest is 1054.72, but when including hoa fees and the oth...
Randy F.
Do It Yourself Donts
Being that there are many more wrong ways to accomplish a given task than there are right ways I thought a thread covering some of the "donts" might be useful for those just getting their feet wet in repairs and renov...
Michael Wade
Tenants' side of duplex won't stay warm in MN wint
Hi all,First-time homeowner (duplex) with first-time problems. Looking for advice on either heating or tenant-relations.I bought an up-down duplex in Minnesota in March of this year and moved into one unit, renting th...
Stephen E.
Move Out Inspection with Drug Dealer?
I have a tenant who is moving out after having been busted with a large amount of drugs (approx $10,000) in the unit. I had started eviction proceedings against him but it seems he has moved out in advance of that ta...
Chris Wilkening
Dave Ramsey says RE should be 5% of portfolio
I think most of BP would disagree with Ramsey's advice about real estate and debt, but there is one bullet here that states "Real estate should only be about 5% of your portfolio." I understand (but don't agree with) ...
Meghan McCallum
What is your best advice for turning a building "green"
Hello everyone!I am closing on a 20 unit building and my goal is to make it as "green" as possible. It currently has 7 vacant units, it is a 1928 brick building with a flat roof. So, I am looking for any and all of th...
Jeff G.
Carpet ruined - Do I have recourse? Should I pursue?
I had tenants rent my 2,850 SF house for 5.5 years. They disclosed their four dogs before signing, and they gave me a $500 extra deposit for that (in addition to last month's rent). And the wife said to me as they wer...