Archive for the ‘invest real estate repai and sell or rent’ Category
Monday, July 7th, 2008
‘
The purchase process is winding its way toward a conclusion for the fixer-upper townhouse that I am purchasing. I had the inspection done last Wednesday (naturally, I followed the inspector around so I could see the problems that he saw), the appraisal should have come in today, and we are closing Friday.
The good faith estimate from the mortgage company came in at around $650/month PITI. I plan to charge $775 for the base rent on the new townhouse. We put 20% down on the $105,000 sales price, and the seller cooperated by paying for part of the closing costs out of her proceeds at closing. (I’m going to discuss that in more detail in a future post.)
It’s a property that’s really worth a hoot because it has all the right things wrong with it. It needs paint, needs vinyl tiles replaced, needs wood putty in door holes, a few outlets are cracked, has some oil on the driveway, and it has a few leaky faucets. On the plus side, the A/C is only one year old and the roof is solid. And all the appliances work. It should take about week to get it in ship shape.
The best part about the deal is that my other unit, 3 doors down, rents like hotcakes. As soon as we put the For Rent sign up, we have people knocking on the door. I’ve been waiting for another one these units to open up at a decent price.
On another note,
There’s a good aritcle comparing oil vs. latex paints over at fliprent.com.
Subscribe in a reader
Share this: del.icio.us | Digg | Ma.gnolia | Reddit | Stumble Upon |
Tags:closing on a house, fixer upper houses, good faith estimate, house inspection
Posted in closing, fixer upper houses, fixer uppers, fixer-upper business, fixing rental houses, good faith extimage, home buying, invest real estate repai and sell or rent, investing, investing financial independence, investing in real estate, investing in your spare time, investment house, investments, investmet properties, learn to invest in real estate | 2 Comments »
Saturday, May 31st, 2008
My wife and I laying laminate flooring
‘
The Tucson Citizen Newspaper highlighted the fixer upper business that my wife and I operate in Thursday’s paper.
Entitled Learn to Fix Up Houses, Rent Them Out, it describes some details about our business and mentions my book.
Who says newspapers aren’t interesting anymore?
To read another insightful (to me, at least) newspaper article that I did, see “Fix em Up, Rent em Out” Featured in Newspaper Article.
Subscribe in a reader
Share this: del.icio.us | Digg | Ma.gnolia | Reddit | Stumble Upon |
Tags:fixer upper house business newspaper article, learn to fix up houses rent them out, tucson citizen
Posted in buying fixing renting rehabs, Fix em Up Rent em Out, fixer upper houses, fixer-upper business, fixing rental houses, how to start a real estate business, How to start your own house fix up and rental busines, invest real estate repai and sell or rent, investing in real estate, investing in your spare time, learn repair skills, learn to invest in real estate, newspaper, newspaper articles, real estat investing, real estate books, real estate investing, real estate principles, rental properties | No Comments »
Friday, May 16th, 2008
,
Buying fixer-upper houses, repairing them, and renting them out is a safe way to generate short-term income and long-term wealth. But, how can you be sure that a house is worth what you are offering to pay for it? Based on experience, we can eyeball the property and probably be able to make a pretty accurate estimate of its worth 90% of the time.
However, that’s not good enough. We need more information than our educated eyeball can provide. In order to:
1.) avoid any surprise defects after its too late, and
2.) negotiate a lower selling price for the house,
we hire a professional inspector to do a physical and structural inspection.
For the last post related to due diligence see Due Diligence Property Inspection, Part 8 – pest control and property damage.
Most purchase agreements require the seller to deliver the property in good physical condition with all basic systems in good shape, unless the seller discloses otherwise. Generally, the inspection process reveals deficiencies that need to be corrected, whether they were disclosed or not.
So with inspection reports in hand, you are armed to arrange for the seller to correct the noted items at his/her expense. The seller is trapped in a corner. He reads the report and sees the photos showing the inescapable evidence that repairs are needed. He either makes the repairs or you walk.
Inspect the inspectors before you hire one.
Most investors hire a property inspector based on the advice of a real estate agent, which is not necessarily a bad way to go. But, you will be spending a tidy sum to hire an inspector, so its best to interview a few before deciding. You may see a big differences in experience, qualifications, and ethical standards. I would never hire an inspector who would not allow me to accompany him during the inspection.
Tagging along with the inspector presents a great opportunity to learn about your property, and will arm you with knowledge that will be invaluable throughout your entire ownership of the house. You’re the one paying for the inspection. How can the inspector say no?
If you want a true professional, hire a full-time inspector who perform 100 inspections a year and who carries “errors and omissions” insurance. This coverage tells you that the person is working full time in the field and is participating in ongoing continuing education.
To locate certified inspectors and find out more about the inspection process see the American Society of Home Inspectors web page.
Ask for a sample of one of the inspector’s recent inspection reports prepared for a comparable property. And, require your finalists to provide you contact information for 3 people who have used their service in the last 6 months.
Price should be a secondary concern because like other professional services, they often pay for themselves. An internet estimate of inspection costs indicates that prices range from $215 to $750, with an average price of $260 (in the southwest where I live).
Earlier articles in this series:
Due Diligence Part 7, Physical and Structural Inspection
Due Diligence Part 6, Tricks Sellers Use to Avoid Inspections
Due Diligence and Fixer Upper Properties Part 5 – the “as-is” sale
Due Diligence, Part 4 — Disclosure Requirements
Due Diligence, Part 3 — Inspecting the Property
Conducting Due Diligence, Part 2 — Reviewing books and records
Conducting Formal Due Diligence
Info on Terry’s Book
Subscribe in a reader
Share this: del.icio.us | Digg | Ma.gnolia | Reddit | Stumble Upon |
Tags:due diligence and property inspection, finding an house inspector, fixer upper houses, rental houses
Posted in closing, due diligence, fix up houses, fixer-upper business, fixing rental houses, house inspection learn a valuable lesson, inspecting investment properties, inspections, invest real estate repai and sell or rent, investing, investing financial independence, investing in real estate, investing in your spare time, investment house, investment property, investments, investmet properties, learn to invest in real estate, property inspection | 1 Comment »
Monday, February 25th, 2008
‘
The due diligence period is the time period between the acceptance of the offer and the close of escrow. This is particularly relevant to those of us investing in fixer upper houses. It is the time to find out if you really want the property. If you find something wrong with the house and don’t wish continue with the purchase, you can ask the seller for adjustments, or get out of the contract. Following the outline in “Investing in Real Estate for Dummies,” we now look the first component of actual inspection: the physical and structural inspection.
Areas that you may want to hire experts to help you inspect:
-overall condition of property
-structural integrity
-foundation, crawl space, basements, sub flooring and decks
-roof and attic
-plumbing system
-electrical system
-heating & A/C
-landscaping, irrigation & drainage
-doorways, walls & windows
-moisture intrusion
-seismic, land movement, or subsidence and flood risk
-illegal construction or additions and zoning violations
Be careful to check for water intrusion and signs of toxins and mold. These can result in property damage and negative health effects.
Tell-tale signs to watch for that might indicate serious structural issues:
Cracks: Some hairline cracks may be naturally occurring settlement of the structure over time, but if you can stick a screwdriver into the crack, something else may be going on.
Unleveled or squishy floors: Walk through the property and look for floors that slant or slope. And watch for soft spots in raised floors.
Misaligned structure: You can use a handy laser level (that seem omnipresent in the hardware stores) and see if floors, walls and ceilings are uneven or out of plumb. Watch for doors or windows that don’t open or close easily.
Grounds: Be sure the property drains properly. Excess groundwater, poor drainage, or cracked/bulging retaining wall are signs of soil issues.
Moisture intrusion: Look for ceiling/wall discoloration and stains. Living in an area where flat roofs are common, my wife and I automatically check the ceilings of all potential investment properties. Musty odors could indicate moisture issues. Sump pumps anywhere on the property are a red flag.
Plumbing leaks: Check under sinks, supply lines for faucets, toilets, dishwashers, and washing machines.
NEXT UP: PEST CONTROL AND PROPERTY DAMAGE
Subscribe in a reader
Share this: del.icio.us | Digg | Ma.gnolia | Reddit | Stumble Upon |
Tags:due diligence, fixer upper houses, physical and structural inspection, structural issues
Posted in due diligence, house inspection learn a valuable lesson, house negotiating, inspecting investment properties, inspections, invest real estate repai and sell or rent, investing, investing in real estate, investment house, investment property, investments, investmet properties, physical inspection, structual inspection | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
*
I am currently reading “Real Estate Investing for Dummies” by Tyson and Griswold, a well-written and thorough book that covers the basics of what real estate investors should know. I’ve long considered “Investing in Real Estate” by McLean and Eldred as one of the best introductory texts for real estate investing. Yet after reading the “Dummies” book, I find it equally as good, and perhaps a little more accessable for the new investor.
Here is my list of Top New Real Estate Books that I posted on Amazon.
To assist those who invest in fixer upper houses, I’m incorporating key parts of the “Due Diligence” chapter from the “Dummies” book with my own real estate observations.
Once you have made an offer on a house and it had been accepted by the seller, the “due diligence” period begins and you have until the close of escrow (or completion of the sale) to check out the physical and financial condition of the property. If you discover that the property has problems, but you think the deal is still worth pursuing, the seller may be willing to correct any deficiences, or give you money to to complete the necessary work yourself.
It’s during this time frame that you must get all of your questions answered and be sure you know what you are getting. If done properly, it will require quite a bit of effort on your part. But it must be done, if you wait until after the property is in your possession, its too late to ask the seller to replace that broken furnace.
You should work closely with the seller but take his word for anything. Only trust what you have in writing.
In my case, most of the house that I buy aren’t bought from the owner. They have been reposessed by a bank, the Veteran Administration or HUD. But I still do due diligence by having my friend/handyman go through house with a fine tooth comb. He knows more about the house repair than anyone I know.
There are two key components of due diligence process:
1. review of books and records
2. the physical inspection
A thorough look at these two components should allow you to determine if the property is worthwhile, priced right, and your goals. The due diligence is your last opportunity to either complete the transaction, or cancel the escrow, have your money returned, and look for another property.
Next post: Reviewing Books and Records
Subscribe in a reader
Share this: del.icio.us | Digg | Ma.gnolia | Reddit | Stumble Upon |
Tags:due diligence, physical and financial condition of the property, physical inspection, review books and records, reviewing books and records
Posted in buying fixing renting rehabs, closing, disclosure requirement, due diligence, fixer upper houses, fixer uppers, fixer-upper business, fixing rental houses, grout, home buying, home foreclosures, house buying, house inspection learn a valuable lesson, house negotiating, house repair, house repairs, inspecting investment properties, inspections, invest real estate repai and sell or rent, investmet properties, learn to invest in real estate, negotiating, overcoming obstacles, physical inspection, property damage, property inspection, purchase offer, rehab, reviewing books and records | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 26th, 2007
This of Part 2 of my reponse to a question asking, “My background is not in the building trades. How do I learn the required skills to start a business in repairing houses and renting them out?”
How to learn the appropriate skills:
3. Draw on the Past
After I got more involved in the repair work of our houses, I thought back about how my father had taught me a lot by example. I recall seeing him construct screened-in porches on various houses that we had lived in. I was too young to help out much at the time, or to appreciate what he was doing, but looking back I realize that it required a strong desire to learn the basic principals, and a sense of self-confidence to build it. He had no formal training in construction, and didn’t have reference books like I do, but he learned by observing other porches that had been built in the neighborhood.
I also have a friend who has made a career out of living frugally. He does virtually all of his own house repair and car repair work. If he gets stuck, he goes to the library and finds books to help him. It helps that he has a background in teaching vocational eduction. We have helped each other with house repair projects over the years, and he is a source of practical advice when I need help.
You too may have family members, or friends, that you can draw insight and inspiration from when it comes to making repairs.
4.Create a House Repair Library
I like to scour the fix-up book areas at used book stores for good buys. I buy a book as soon as I see it if I know that it has valuable information. In the past, I have waited to purchase the book only to return later and find that the book I had wanted was gone. The price you pay will literally be a drop in the bucket compared to the money you will save. I have books on almost every possible repair topic, including electrical wiring, plumbing, flooring, you name it. Some books that offer information on a wide variety of repairs, such as Reader’ Digest “Fix-it Yourself Manual” and Better Home and Gardens Complete Guide to Home Repair,” are also good to have. See my earlier blog for more infomation on recommended repair books.
When a book is not enough, I can usually get good advice on specific jobs at hardware stores, like Ace Hardware. And, you can sometimes get advice on difficult repairs by doing a Google search.
Subscribe in a reader
Share this: del.icio.us | Digg | Ma.gnolia | Reddit | Stumble Upon |
Tags:draw on the past, fix em up rent em out start a business, fix up books, learn how to repair rental houses
Posted in buying fixing renting rehabs, buying real estate, do it yourself, excellent real estate books, Fix em Up Rent em Out, fix up houses, fixer upper houses, fixer uppers, fixer-upper business, home buying, house buying, house repair, house repairs, how I got started in fixer uppers, how to make money renting housing, how to start a real estate business, How to start your own house fix up and rental busines, invest real estate repai and sell or rent, investing, investing book, investing financial independence, investing in real estate, investing in your spare time, investment house, investment property, learn repair skills, learn to invest in real estate, learn to make repairs, making repairs, managing tenants, real estat investing, real estate books, real estate principles, rental house protection, rental houses, rental management, rental properties, rental property, renting, repair, repair books, repairing properties, repairs, safe ways to invest in real estate, small investor, spare time | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, September 25th, 2007
I recently received a question asking, “My background is not in the building trades. How do I learn the required skills to start a business in repairing houses and renting them out?”
In terms of how to learn to repair houses, I will answer that question in two parts. The first part today, and the second half of my answer will be in a subsequent blog article.
How to learn the appropriate skills:
1. Learn by doing. When Orson Wells directed his first movie, “Citizen Kane,” he said that he felt “like a kid with a giant train set.” One nice thing about buying a fix-up house is that it’s like having giant practice house, where you can practice learning to do repairs. Since the house is already pretty well beat up, its OK if you make a few mistakes along the way. You can always go back and correct them later.
My philosophy is that the best way to learn is by doing. Granted, you have to gradually work your way up, if your are beginning near the bottom. At first you will have to hire out for most of the moderate or difficult repairs. Make sure you watch, or assist in doing, the repair when you pay someone to do it. That way you can do it, or at least do part of it, the next time you encounter the same situation.
Just last week, I had to hire someone to repair my air conditioner in a house that I am living in and fixing up at the same time. I took time off my 9-5:00 job to be on the roof with the repairman and observe what he was doing. I saw all of the tests that he performed with the multi-tester to identify what was wrong. The problem turned out to be two capacitors that were blown. If a similar problem arises in the future, I will know how to check and replace the capacitors myself.
If you have to pay someone to make a repair for you, make sure that you get your money’s worth by watching the repairman, and learning how to do it yourself.
2. Take community college classes. Most community colleges offer courses in the building trades – plumbing, electrical wiring, air conditioning and furnace repair, and woodworking. For a fairly low price, you can learn how to make repairs like a pro by taking these classes. I have taken several classes and they have been well worth the investment of time and money. Besides leaning the skills in a supervised environment, you also learn how to use the correct tools in the proper manner. As part of the program, students are required to take an 8-hour OSHA course in how to be aware of work site dangers, to do work in a safe way, and to avoid accidents. I highly recommend that anyone who does repair work take the OSHA class.
Subscribe in a reader
Share this: del.icio.us | Digg | Ma.gnolia | Reddit | Stumble Upon |
Tags:fixer upper houses, learn by doing, learn to repair houses, repairing rental houses, take classes
Posted in buying fixing renting rehabs, buying foreclosures, buying real estate, do it yourself, Fix em Up Rent em Out, fix up houses, fixer uppers, fixer-upper business, fixing rental houses, house repair, how I got started in fixer uppers, how to start a real estate business, How to start your own house fix up and rental busines, invest real estate repai and sell or rent, investing, investing financial independence, investing in real estate, investing in your spare time, investment house, investment property, investments, investmet properties, learn repair skills, learn to invest in real estate, learn to make repairs, making repairs, overcoming obstacles, real estat investing, real estate, real estate principles, rental houses, rental management, rental properties, rental property, repair, repairing properties, repairing rental houses, retirement, safe ways to invest in real estate, small investor, spare time, Terry Sprouse | 6 Comments »
Friday, September 14th, 2007
One of the surest ways to make money in any endeavor is to follow in the footsteps of other successful people. Astronaut Neil Armstrong followed in the steps of John Glenn. Comic actor Ben Stiller followed in the steps of his show biz parents Stiller & Meara. The same is true in real estate. Plenty of people have gone before us.
Buying lower-priced fixer-upper houses, using your own time & effort to fix them up, and renting them out has been a tested and true path to generate wealth & security.
The four chief benefits of purchasing fix-up houses are:
1) if you buy a house in need of repair, a fixer upper house, you pay less for it than for a house in good shape. Since you paid less, you can take out a smaller loan and have lower monthly payments.
2) By doing repairs yourself (as much as you are able to), you save the money you would have paid others, and you learn new repair skills.
3) By renting it out, you get a house that is constantly increasing in value (by an average 5% per year) the same time the rents are going up.
4) When you get older, your loans will be paid off (or close to it) and the rental income you receive are like a pension for your retirement.
Granted, it is hard work to find a house, make repairs and learn how to deal with tenants. But you also learn valuable technical and people management skills that you can use in other parts of your life, and pass along to others. Mostly, there is a great sense of satisfaction in your accomplishments, a stronger sense of security, and more income, which means more freedom.
Share this: del.icio.us | Digg | Ma.gnolia | Reddit | Stumble Upon |
Tags:doing repairs yourself, financial freedom, fixer upper houses, how to start a rental house busiiness, learn repair skills, rental income is like a pension for retirement, renting out a house, stick to the basics
Posted in buying fixing renting rehabs, buying real estate, create wealth in real estate, do it yourself, fix up houses, fixer upper houses, fixer uppers, fixer-upper business, fixing rental houses, home buying, house repair, house repairs, how I got started in fixer uppers, how to make money renting housing, how to start a real estate business, How to start your own house fix up and rental busines, invest real estate repai and sell or rent, investing, investing in real estate, investing in your spare time, investment house, investment property, investments, investmet properties, learn repair skills, learn to invest in real estate, learn to make repairs, real estat investing, real estate, real estate principles, rental house improvements, rental houses, rental management, rental properties, rental property, rentals, repair, repairing properties, repairing rental houses, safe ways to invest in real estate, small investor, spare time | 1 Comment »
