[exsdgal]

[quote=flu]
I’m taking more of ucgal’s indirect advice in what she posted awhile ago.. Put stuff into indexes and forget about it until I really need it…

At least that’s what I’ve been doing partly…That and holding onto some cash in case any any short sales goes my way…[/quote]

Nice! Haven’t caught up with the forum lately… ucgal’s advice definitely sounds good.

I started late in the stock market (post dot com) and after some time at Ameritrade, eventually found buyandhold – a perfect combination for my lazy investing style 🙂 Most importantly I couldn’t go wrong with the limited trading features, and yet maintaining some flexibility to experiment in the market. For most part followed zacks focus list (~ 50 stocks) to help find sectors, and periodic research to balance the roth account.

[exsdgal]

svelte, thank you for the informative post. I take you purchased off the shelf products and built the security system on your own. Would you be able to share the specific models and software used?

It was interesting to read about your camera installation. I think especially for residences an outside camera (though a deterrent) makes it aesthetically less appealing. I am curious to find out the type of camera that worked well for your installation.

Thanks a bunch.

[exsdgal]

lol… I can relate. In the past I have walked past quite a few systems at Costco. Yesterday I noticed only 2 wireless systems at the store and the reviews had software/installation complaints. There was a cabled version w/ dvr, but the installation appeared to be tedious. Will post what I end up installing.

[exsdgal]

Ability to view images online will be helpful especially when traveling. However I plan to consider this option only if I can host the images in my domain without going through the vendor service.

Thanks for the suggestion, I will research more in the morning.

[exsdgal]

[quote=flu]Maybe I’ll short 200 shares of qualcomm just for completeness so some of you piggs will be able to afford your million+ homes when it passes $100/share…

And no worries, I’m sure we’ll see VLP go over $50 now and VLO go to $60…. Since obviously, it happens..after I sell….

Kinda like NXP Semiconductors which is over $50 now…[/quote]

FWIW until few years ago I followed zacks and valueline for my stock investments. Both of these were helpful for building my portfolio. Though my transactions were simple… no shorts/options etc. Zacks was from a for fee subscription, while I utilized county library for VL.

This said I am no longer actively vested in stocks… for lack of both funds and time!

Happy investing….

[exsdgal]

That’s what I thought… posted here just in case there was a possibility.

[exsdgal]

@Jazzman, thanks you brought up some good points. In my original post I should have clarified the 20% expense ratio was for a self managed property with no loans.

Also in San Diego it is difficult to find move-in ready properties in sub-400K range. In the hypothetical scenario, the preemptive repairs/remodel is meant to eliminate maintenance concerns for the next 20+ years(?).

[exsdgal]

[quote=bearishgurl]

The MM condo (suggested earlier) not only is narrow enough to emulate a train car inside (notice the sorry a$$ kitchen so narrow that if the oven is open, one can’t stand in front of the sink or open the frig??), it has ~$235 in monthly HOA dues (subject to hikes and also special assessments). [/quote]

Ouch! I would not say that bearishgirl. I have many memories from living in condos even smaller than this, but don’t recall thinking about the space limitations of the flat. As for the HOA fees they can be a useful tool. Have you noticed even non-HOA properties are subject to hikes and special assessments? I got a chuckle reading the latest property tax bill…. on top of the 1% property value tax, there were additional charges for $600 (and now I am not talking about MR fees). What is the girl got to do? Start a protest? 🙂

Any case I digress, the OP is in a unique position with the ability to make an all cash purchase. There are opportunities through out San Diego county that can meet one’s investment objectives. Like the saying goes, “value is in the eye of the beholder”. Knowledge is power, and imo real-estate money is made by understanding the dynamics of the property’s location. With everything being equal, what core attribute does the property have to make it stand out. That typically gives way to your revenue source.

Without guidance from the OP I don’t see a reason to hash the different san diego regions. For me the best place is my current hole in the wall 😛

Happy investing!

[exsdgal]

[quote=6packscaredy]I have 150 thirsty trees.[/quote]

I like your forest!!

[exsdgal]

🙂 I have some time and these are the two areas that interest me.

In my ideal world every one is educated, courteous, well fed and housed. Can’t have everything, so am starting out with what I can understand. Cheers.

[exsdgal]

Here is a hypothetical scenario if the intent is to purchase a rental property w/o any loans.

Available funds: 400K
Purchase price: ~325K
Repairs/Renovation: 20-30K (before renting the place)
Remaining funds: ~40K (after purchase, repairs, escrow…)

Annual rental income: 25K (about 15 years to recover the principal)
Annual property expenses: 20% (5K)

Would you consider 20K net income/year a good return on the rental purchase? Note – this example does not consider any EOY income tax obligations, time for repairs, appreciation, potential rent increases etc.

In case you find the return to be acceptable… then redfin and craigslist are your friends. Play with the various filters to identify prospective locations/properties. Like others have already mentioned, real estate is a personal preference and the type of property depends on how actively one wants to be involved.

From a turn over perspective I would consider a single family residence is easier to manage. Regardless of the property type to minimize hassles I find the following useful:

– pick a location you are extremely familiar with
– pick a property you will consider moving into (if necessary)
– be ready to learn anything and everything about property repairs (this helps to understand whether to panic/or not during those tenant calls)
– with any repairs pick quality over price for essential items, and compromise on the auxiliary items
– identify a core set of principles for the tenant selection process and do not compromise
– finally set the expectations of the tenants, and try not to let them run your life!

Good luck with your research.

[exsdgal]

The rain was a welcome surprise. I was not expecting them this early in the season, and was caught off guard.

What does your garden grow?

My first attempt from last year went by the way of gophers. Early summer I planted a second set of trees, and they are doing well so far. My newest addition is a decent sized banana tree from HD. Over the next year or two, my plan is to add more shade trees and develop a mini orchard.

[exsdgal]

[quote=plm]Sorry for the off topic subject but for those owners who are adjacent to a canyon and need a snake fence, definitely pay more and get the green fence shipped in. It’s being installed now, and I can’t even tell it’s there. Standard fence is shiny and reflects the light so you see it and it ruins your expensive view. Green fence is more like a window screen so you don’t see it unless up close.[/quote]

Just curious, what is a snake fence? Where can one buy them? Don’t live in the community, but would like to consider one. TIA.

[exsdgal]

One can withhold deposit for unpaid rent, lost keys/remotes, repairs beyond normal wear/tear, and cleaning.

In CA a landlord must provide a written notice to their tenants about their right to request an optional inspection prior to moving out. In this optional inspection conducted no earlier than 15 days from the move out date, the landlord can indicate the list of items that needs fixing to receive a full deposit refund.

I own rental properties, and personally see it hassle free to return the entire deposit. The few occasions I did deduct were to replace remote controls. The unit is rekeyed between tenants, so don’t as much care for missing keys. Likewise, the tenant never cleans enough and do end up cleaning the unit as part of the general maintenance and checkup.

Don’t have a reference but remember reading this – if the tenants dispute the refund and wins, the case is reported/cited on the landlords credit report. Not sure how prevalent it is, but the hassle of going to court is not worth my time.

You might already know this, security deposit should be returned within 21 days and CA requires an itemized cost report along with receipts for any deductions > $100. Finally in case the landlord completes any work on their own, the cost must be calculated for reasonable hours with nominal/minimum hourly rates.

[exsdgal]

Poway makes a distinction between a guest house and a second dwelling unit. The differentiator being the existence of kitchen. A guest house is meant for occasional use, while a second dwelling is considered a permanent living arrangement.

Also guest house construction did not require a minor development review. This means less fees and quicker plan approvals….

Regardless of a guest house/second dwelling unit the rest of the considerations apply including owner occupancy constraints.

[Author]

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