SMARTERLANDLORDING

ADVICE FROM EXPERIENCE

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How to Find Good Contractors

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Working with contractors is a routine part of the real estate investing business.  Something is always breaking or in need of rehab.  Plumbers, electricians, painters, HVAC, and general contractors are all folks who you will need in your investing career.

To the newbie, finding and hiring these contractors can seem daunting.  You have heard the horror stories.  You don’t want to get ripped off.  You don’t want to appear stupid.  So what to do?

First think about what you need.  You need a variety of people with various skills that can solve your repair and rehab problems quickly, at a reasonable price and without hassle.  You want someone who is reliable, because you are going to go to them again and again as problems arise.  You want to know that the job will be done and furthermore, you want it done right.

Next, follow these tips to find the people you are looking for.

  • Network With Other Landlords – This has consistently been my best source to find quality people.  Other landlords know who will do a good job at a fair price.  Plus, references will open doors.  You can meet other landlords at your local reia club.
  • Ask at Contractor Stores – Ask for references from stores frequented by contractors such as paint, lumber and home improvement stores.  Ask who is reputable.  Ask who pays their bills on time.  Most of the time someone at these stores will point you in the right direction.
  • Hang Out at Contractor Stores – Yep! Get there early when contractors are picking up materials.  Talk with folks.  Tell them what you do and what you are looking for.  Soon you will have a catalogue of business cards to call upon.
  • Talk with Friends and Family – Ask your friends and family who they have used in the past and if they liked the work.  This can be a great place to start.
  • Get Several Estimates – If you can, get several estimates on any project.  Listen to what the contractors say.  How will they do the job?  What materials will they use?  How quickly can they be completed?
  • Get References – Good contractors will be able to provide you with references.  Follow up on these.  If you can, go see some of their work.
  • Use Online Sources – Angie’s list and others rate contractors as well as many other businesses.  Make a post on Facebook asking for references.  Online sources are only going to grow in the future.  Just be careful with the reviews and don’t be attracted to the biggest ad.
  • They Purchase Their Own Materials – Remember you are an investor, not a chauffeur for contractor supplies.  If they cannot afford to get or cannot transport their own supplies, move on.  It is not worth your time.

Here are some more thoughts.

  • Do not always use the cheapest one.  Cheap is not always worth it.
  • If they do not return your call in a timely manner, don’t follow up or do what they say they will do, move on.
  • Don’t worry if they drive a nice truck.  That means they likely do a good job.
  • Realize there is trial and error involved.  You are going to have to try some to find the right one.  Do not be afraid to fire and move on.
  • Some contractors may be good today and tomorrow they flake out.  This just seems to be part of the business.  I have been through many contractors over the years.
  • What ever you do, when you are new to this or working with a contractor for the first time, use a carefully worded contract that spells out who, what, when, where, and especially how they get paid.  I will talk more about that in future posts.
  • Listen to your gut!  If something feels wrong or you are unsure about something, get more info or move on.

Finally, remember contractors are human too.  Most are out there hustling trying to do an honest days work.  They want and need your business!  They will be happy to talk and see if they can meet your needs.  Remembering this little fact can go a long way.

When Is Cheap Worth It?

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I delved into real estate investing because I thought it would save me from the misery of living paycheck-to-paycheck. I’m 2 months into my rehab and I’ve found that not much has changed yet. I’m rehabbing paycheck-to-paycheck. When I’m shopping for tools and supplies, it’s no surprise that I reach for cheap. I look for deals and I do the work myself.

Not everyone shares my sentiments concerning frugality. I bought a Husky crescent wrench and was advised to buy better tools. My plumber strongly recommended that I install a new, double-basin sink. My partner and I disagreed when I insisted on using a combination of old and new shoe molding. This isn’t how I imagined my investor persona!

I justify my frugality by telling myself that I can replace it all during my next vacancy. I need to get my second unit cash-flowing so that I can better fund repairs. I ask myself if my tenants will know the difference. This is when I turned to Kevin. I emailed him, “when is cheap NOT worth it?” This is his response:

  • When it involves gas.
  • When it involves electric.
  • When it wastes your time. You have to understand the value of your time. You may need to pay a plumber for a service call, but they will get it done right and quick. You may be able to do it, but it will take you four times as long to do it. You will have to make three trips to Home Depot to finish it.
  • Appliances! Just buy a new “used” one rather than trying to replace parts. Unless it is incredibly simple to fix, it is just not worth it. The part will cost almost as much as the replacement appliance. You will most likely order or receive the wrong part. Beware, many parts look the same but have slight differences. Trust me on this.
  • Is it really cheaper for you to do it? Don’t try to save money if it is costing you potential rent. Take a rehab for example: You do it all yourself and it takes two months. You could have had it rented at a rate of $625 per month. A contractor could have had the job done in 2 weeks for $1500. Did you really save any money?

I appreciate Kevin’s emphasis on avoiding repairs with safety implications: gas and electricity. I was considering teaching myself how to repair appliances, but I think I’ve axed the idea. For the time being though, it makes financial sense for me to most of these repairs myself. Sometimes cheap is worth it, and sometimes it’s not.

Save

  • We used the cheapest vinyl tile at Home Depot and the kitchen floor looks great. You don’t even notice the mismatched shoe molding.
  • We shopped for used cabinets. We bought unfinished cabinets and painted them. The cabinets look great.

Spend

  •  We bought the cheapest paint brushes we could find, and it was a horrible decision. The hairs fall out and get stuck in the paint. Don’t do it!
  • We paid full price for a window air conditioning unit. I never will again. I later came across two used ac units, which were three times better for a third of the price.

 

While I advocate for frugality, please don’t cut corners by sacrificing quality installation. Tenants and buyers will notice. I firmly believe going cheap should be our current strategy. We rehabbed the entire kitchen of unit 1 for less than $1,000. It looks so much better than before. I look forward to seeing it look even better than now.

Do you have any advice? When is cheap worth it and when is it not?

Finding the Real Estate Deals

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There are many ways that real estate investors go about finding their next acquisition.  Driving for dollars is one way while sending targeted letters or buying from wholesalers are others.  I myself have used these techniques and more.  In today’s market however I find the source that works the best for me is the good old realtor Multiple Listing System or MLS.

If you are unfamiliar with the MLS, it is the database that realtors use to list all of the properties that they have for sale in a particular area.  True, this list does not include all properties that are currently for sale, but it is going to include most of them.  And it is the source where I have found most of the properties that make up my portfolio.

Why is that?

I think mainly because when a property becomes distressed, either through foreclosure or through poor management the owner wants to unload it.  They are naturally going to turn to a realtor to list the property because that is the traditional way properties are sold.  They believe that a listing will bring them the best possible price.

Most foreclosures are there.  Most short sales are there.  Many estate properties are there.  In essence, many properties are there.  So I am there too.

So how do you get access to the MLS?  You can do that one of two ways.  Either find an investor friendly realtor to work with you or become a realtor yourself.  There are advantages and disadvantages to both methods and I will discuss those in another post.  But as an investor, you need to have access in one of these two ways.

Once you have access, set up a daily search.  Simply apply the criteria you are looking for such as the desired locations, types of properties, etc.  You can also set the search to look for keywords such as “foreclosure” or “as-is.”  Set your search to e-mail you either daily or immediately when a property that meets your criteria has been listed.

From there, you need to know your market.  You need to be able to recognize a potential deal when you see it.  Because honestly, there will likely be many properties listed that are not worth an investor’s effort.  Learn how to weed them out by understanding your market.

From there you need to have your financing ready.  Others are looking too and if you can move quickly and provide a solid offer, it just may get you the deal.

So get tuned in to the MLS.  Set up a search and begin writing offers.  You and your portfolio will be glad you did.

When to Spend on a Rehab

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Most of the properties I have bought in my investing career have been distressed.  That means that they needed work.  I am not afraid of a major rehab.  In fact, I find that properties in need of a major rehab often make the best deals.

Of course as an investor I want to maximize my return on the properties I buy, but I also realize that I intend to hold these properties for the long term.  So I have learned over the years that you can save your self some money, time and hassle by spending a bit more money on the front end.

Here is what I mean.

Kitchen and bathrooms often sell a place to a potential renter.  If these two rooms look good, not only can you generally get a bit more in rent, you will also generally get a better tenant and the property will rent faster when it comes on the market.

So, instead of linoleum on the kitchen floor, invest in square foot ceramic tiles.  Tile is almost as inexpensive as to install as linoleum but it will look so much better and last so much longer.  Linoleum flooring simply gets grimy looking and it is guaranteed to be ripped or torn by your tenants when they are moving in or out.  Why install a floor that you will have to replace every two years or so?  Go with tile.

Same goes for the bathroom.  Install tile on the floors and shower walls.  Use those same square foot ceramic tiles you put in the kitchen.  They look nice, are easier to clean and simply more durable.  They will resist the water much better than that cheap plastic stuff, and even better, they resist the mold too.

So be a smarter landlord and invest a little bit more on your rehab upfront with the kitchens and baths.  Both you and your tenants will be glad you did.

Breaking Rule #1

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I used to have a best friend whom I knew from the day I was born. We hit every milestone together—and so did our parents.  When we were both looking for a place to rent at the same time, it seemed like a no-brainer. Who else would make a better roommate than my best friend?!

It was quite possibly the worst mistake I have ever made. Within a month, our friendship was damaged. She didn’t like my cat. I didn’t like her make-up mess. We bickered, we fought, and we never recovered.

So, when I read all of the real estate blogs (including this one) about NEVER renting to family or friends, it resonated with me. I knew there was truth behind the warning, and I swore that I wouldn’t do it.

All of that changed when I jumped neck-deep into a triplex rehab. Suddenly, I found myself reevaluating my options—reweighing the pros and cons.

If I rented to a friend, then I could do the work while renting out the unit. I could start building cash flow to help fund repairs. The logic was persuasive.

In the end, we decided to rent to our friend at a discounted rate for one year, which still equals more than if we had held it vacant an additional month. He agreed to paint himself and to allow us free access to his property whenever we needed to fix something. Given that his unit needs the most work, this felt like a decent deal. I conceded; we signed a lease.

It’s now been over a month since we signed the lease, and I have to say, it’s not that bad.

PROS:
The tenant helped with the carport demolition
I have a tenant that I know, like and trust
I’m collecting rents earlier than expected
I don’t have to paint

CONS:
I have to work around stuff: furniture, appliances, dishes, etc.
I feel imposing, especially since he works 3rd shift
It seems like I always have friends over now
I’m more distracted when working

So far, the pros greatly outweigh the cons. We discovered a massive leak in the kitchen wall shortly after signing the lease, which meant that our tenant received brand new cabinets, sink and faucet. We were happy to have him as a tenant throughout the kitchen rehab, which proved to be messy and time consuming. It would have been an awful inconvenience for a new tenant. Plus, he’s happy to have a new kitchen.

I would do things a little differently though, like be more specific!

For example, I told my tenant that I would purchase the materials if he painted. That seemed fair. However, I failed to mention that I had envisioned white paint in all rooms. So, when he brought me the color swatches that he had picked up from Lowe’s, I felt compelled to go with his plan. Had he been an average tenant, I would have responded with a heartless “Sorry but I failed to mention…” Since he was a friend (and had been so great throughout the kitchen debacle), I coughed up the extra cash for the colors he wanted. I’m always looking for the silver lining though. Our tenant friend feels almost as much invested in our rehab as we do.

That has to be good news, right?

Has anyone else ever cautiously rented to friends or family? I would love to hear your thoughts, especially since my grandparents are getting older and inquiring about a one-bedroom.

The Autumn Leaves Mean Deals

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I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend.

As we get summer behind us and look forward towards fall, smarter landlords are also looking forward to some great end of the year purchases.  It has been my experience over the years that some of the best deals show themselves towards the end of the year.

Why is that?

I think there are a couple of reasons.

  1. People have had their property on the market for a while now, some since spring trying to hit the “peak” buying season, and have had no success.  They will now be ready to make a deal.
  2. Banks will be looking to unload non-performing assets or foreclosures.

You see, the end of the year is both a psychological and fiscal boundary.  People want to start fresh in a new year.  They want to unload things that are perhaps holding them back.  They are tired and ready to deal.

Banks and many other businesses will be starting a new fiscal year.  That means it is time to clear the books.  It is time to take those tax write offs.  It is time to move some inventory so the banker can get their year end bonus.

Basically, the looming end of the year can be a great motivator.

So what should a smarter landlord do if you want to pick up some of these deals?

  1. Get your money and/or financing in order.  You will need to be able to move quickly.  It is best to have all of this arranged now.
  2. Know your market.  You will need to know what a deal is and jump because others will be looking too and the good ones go fast.
  3. Network.  Let others know that you are in the market and what you are looking for.  Paying someone a finder’s fee is a great way to get deals.
  4. Keep a close eye on all of your sources.  Many deals are still found through the Realtor’s Multiple Listing System (MLS).  Have your realtor set up a search that will e-mail you directly potential deals.  Use key words such as bank or corporate owned, price reduced, make an offer, priced to sell, estate, etc., as part of your search criteria.

It’s September.  Time to think of the autumn leaves, football and getting a break from this humidity.  But smarter landlords are also thinking about picking up some year end deals.  Some are going to come your way.  Be ready!

Preparing to Buy Your First Property

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If you’re like me, you turn to the internet to answer all of your questions. Every time I’m ready for a new challenge, I begin by typing, “How to…,” in the Google search bar.

So, I’ve created a few posts that combine strategies that have helped me to prepare for the big purchase. Following these strategies can increase your savings, reduce your expenses, and move towards your goal of home ownership.

First and foremost, define your goal
Do you want to buy a single family house or a multifamily house? Will you live there? If so, how long do you intend to live there? Will this be a rental property? Do you plan on selling it in the future? Answering these questions will narrow down your search criteria.

Next, decide on your price range
I’m a huge proponent of living below your means. Reduce your expenses to live a more moderate lifestyle. My advice would be to set the top of your price range below what you can afford. Make sure your price range is based on a well thought out budget and a consistent spending record.

Get your finances in order
Pull your credit and review that information. You are allowed to request a free copy of your credit every year from each of the three reporting agencies (find that link here). Is everything correct? 1 in 4 people have a mistake on their credit report. Having open disputes on your credit report could prevent you from qualifying for an FHA loan. So, take care of this early.

Get smart
You should be able to have an intelligent conversation with your lender about your options. Don’t let others make decisions for you. This is your purchase, isn’t it?
Which product best suits you: FHA, FHA 203k, Conventional, or Homepath?
Learn the lingo: GFE, Warranty Deed, Closing Costs, Owner-occupant, Per Diem Interest, FRM and ARM

Save and Source
Stick to a savings plan that is consistent and can be tracked. It’s not enough to stick money under your mattress. You have to be able to show where the funds came from and where they went, for at least 3 months. This is to ensure you’re not opening new debt to fund your down payment or closing costs.

Find a Knowledgeable Real Estate Agent
Everyone I have worked with was based on a referral, and I must say, I have worked with some amazing professionals. If your real estate agent is knowledgeable and experienced, he/she can connect you with other knowledgeable and experienced professionals like lenders and title companies. They can advise you of real estate trends or bidding strategies. I chose an agent who was also an investor. So I gained a good bit of insight on buy and hold deals, flipping houses, and the benefits to gaining your real estate license.  You can often find such an agent at your local REIA meetings.

Have FUN
Searching for a home is a fun experience! Don’t let the research or the pressure stress you out. Don’t get emotionally attached to the property either. The best real estate purchases are made when the buyer has a clear mind and is not in a hurry. I lost out of many bids that I wished I had won, but I ended up with a great purchase that I love. I’m sure you will too.

The Importance of Networking

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Smarter Landlords always take the opportunity to network.

Networking is simply meeting and greeting different people, telling them what you do, exchanging business cards perhaps and basically establishing a professional relationship.

You might think that networking is not very important for the buy and hold type investor.  But it is.  Because you never know where a deal might be or when it may pop up.

Here is an example.

Someone you briefly met last year and exchanged business cards with has just inherited a house he does not want.  He remembers you buy real estate, finds your card and gives you a call.

You may have just gotten a great deal on a rental property.   But what if it is not in an area you want to invest in?

Well, because you have been going to your local REIA meetings, you know folks who do invest in that area.  You make a few phones calls.

Another investor says he will purchase the property.  You put the two together.  He buys it, fixes it up a little and flips it to another buy and hold investor.

You get paid a finders fee.  Your fellow investor makes money from a flip.  Another investor has a cashflowing asset and the original property owner is glad to be rid of something he saw as a problem.  Everyone is happy and a little bit better off due to a little bit of past networking.

Networking works!

Your networking goal is to let as many people as possible know you are in the real estate buying business.  It does not matter if they are in real estate or not.  Let them know what you do and how to contact you.  Your networking strategy should involve many approaches.

Always carry business cards and hand them to everyone you meet.

Attend local REIA and other professional group meetings.  Our local REIA has a time and place specifically set aside for networking.

To the new guy, networking is not always the easiest thing to do.  You have to force yourself to get off the wall and get out there and talk to people.  I had to learn this myself and I am still learning it today.

Smarter Landlords remember that real estate is really a people business, and the more people you meet, the more they can help you.  This is the power of networking, you helping others and others helping you.

Finding the Financing

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Exclusive for Smarter Landlording

Finding the Financing

By: Jimmy Moncrief

Since I know Smarter Landlording readers are focused on working “smarter, not harder” I wanted to write about a smarter way to get financing.

When acquiring a property the vast majority of real estate investors spend 99.9% of their time looking property.  They make a ton of offers, finally get a property under contract, then frantically scramble for financing.

Does that seem smart to you?

Of-course not.

Here is the smart way to pursue “smart financing”

Have a goal this week of making contact with at least 1 lending institution a day.

Here’s the schedule:

Monday: 2 credit unions

Tuesday: 2 small community banks

Wednesday: 2 regional banks

Thursday: 2 national banks

Friday: 2 hard money lenders

When you call ask for the person that makes commercial loans.  Commercial lenders are less restricted by consumer regulations.  They will be significantly more flexible. Before you start telling them about yourself. Simply ask them what kind of loans they are looking for.

At the end of the week, you should have a list of contacts for your next deal.

If you want to take it a step forward, go ahead and send them the information they request for a new loan so you are already pre-approved and you know what kind of loan you are qualified for.

Jimmy Moncrief is a bank underwriter and real estate investor.  He writes at: http://realestatefinancehq.com/

He has provided an exclusive report for Smarter Landlording readers: Top 6 Things You can do to Negotiate better terms from Banks: http://realestatefinancehq.com/smarterlandlording

How to Reduce Your Expenses

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How often do you hear, “I’m broke,” from people who have reasonable jobs, wear good clothes, and drive amazing cars? It drives me crazy. When having one of these discussions, I learned that the complainer and his 4-person family ate out 5 nights a week!

When you save for deliberate purchases, you’re happier about where your money is going. Learning how to save and how to reduce your expenses are two fundamental skills that lead to financial security and freedom. Here are a few things that helped me drastically reduce my budget.

1. Make a Budget
Question everything on your budget. How can you reduce your utility consumption? Do you really need a home phone and a cell phone? When saving to buy a house, I whittled every expense down as far as possible. I haven’t had cable in years because I’m happy watching television off of the internet. Internet wasn’t an expense I was willing to relinquish. You can find endless lists online if you’re short on ideas. Here are a few other ways I reduced my expenses.

  • Plan out your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for each day until the next pay day. Then, make a grocery list with only the ingredients you need.
  • Abandon name brands and shop at discount grocers like Aldi for higher savings.
  • Turn off all lights when you leave a room, and use natural sunlight to your benefit.
  • Pay your bills with gift cards that you purchase a Kroger. Kroger awards 2x extra fuel points when you buy gift cards. It’s inconvenient, but you could save a dollar per gallon of gas!

2. Pay Your Bills on Time
If you haven’t been doing this, you’re not ready to buy a house. Build a lifestyle of responsible spending before jumping into large purchases like real estate. Not only will this help your credit, it will save you hundreds of dollars in late fees and charges—which could be deposited into savings!

3. Look at Your Debt
Look closely at the kind of debt that you have. Are you just making minimum payments? If so, paying down on debt could save you more money in the future. It will also free up your Credit Debt Ratio, which will help you qualify for a house.

Question your interest rates too. I spent almost an hour on the phone with my credit card company being transferred around until I had successfully gotten a lower interest rate. If someone tells you no, respond with, “OK, I understand that you may not be able to say yes. Can you transfer me to someone who can?” It doesn’t hurt to ask.

4. Negotiate Everything
I just learned this one recently, and now I can’t stop. You would be surprised how much you can haggle. It doesn’t hurt to try. In the last 6 months, I’ve successfully negotiated the cost of CD’s at the store, car repairs at the dealership, oil changes at Jiffy Lube, and service costs at Verizon Wireless. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

What expense reducing strategies have the biggest impact on your budget?