Real Estate Investors — Austin Deserves Serious Attention — BawldGuy Wish List

Posted @ 10:57 pm - Filed under Austin, Builders, Check This Out, Cool Info, Leverage

When we first decided it was time to get our investors out of San Diego and into areas much better positioned for both short and long term capital growth, we wish list
made a list of what we thought might be the perfect region. It was meant to describe what we hoped would be the best of all worlds. Any real estate investor will tell you, if they’re being honest, they have their own secret Wish List.

I have mine too. Of course, part of making out a list like that, is the hope it can come true. In the back of your mind, there’s that little voice telling you that somewhere there are properties described by what’s on the list. As you read this list, (which isn’t all inclusive, by the way) try to visualize what it would look like to you. Maybe you have a wish you think should be added.

Here’s mine.

Calling it a Wish List would be abusing understatement. (Full disclosure. :) )

  • Job creating economy with obvious diversification — not a single industry area.
  • leverage

  • Median home prices at levels affordable to the majority of the local work force.
  • High rent to price ratios — Low prices with High rents.
  • Apply Leverage while using fixed rate loans — break even or positive cash flow.
  • High quality construction employing user friendly floor plans and great architecture.
  • See what I mean by Wish List? Doesn’t it remind you of what you might have told Santa as a six year old? And the list goes on.

  • Vacancy rates under 5% — Lease up periods taking 4-6 weeks or less.
  • A+

  • Purchase terms including seller picking up at least some of buyer’s closing costs.
  • Tenants with excellent credit and high paying jobs wishing to sign long term leases.
  • A+ locations in high demand by owner-occupying home buyers.
  • Upgraded counter-tops, molding, carpeting, landscaping, appliances, etc.
  • Near modern regional malls catering to upscale shoppers — magnets for money.
  • Do regions like this even exist in real life? Who’s kiddin’ whom here? Since it’s a Wish List, we’ll keep going. The best part about wishing for something is knowing it might actually come true some day, right?

  • The surrounding neighborhoods should be much more expensive than ours.
  • Commute time to and from work is 30 minutes or less.
  • longhorn country

  • Can be acquired below lender’s appraisal.
  • Competing properties should sell for more, and generate higher rents.
  • Crazy, insane curb appeal — it knocks the socks of all who drive up.
  • World class university in the region.
  • Multiple, high level, and diversified entertainment venues nearby.
  • The name of the subdivision should be BawldGuy Estates.
  • Hey, it’s my Wish List. You can wish for what you want on yours.

    The properties we saw Austin are just about what you’d get if my Wish List was converted into reality.

    Window of Opportunity

    hourglass

    No kidding — I was excited about a new region for the first time in, well, a long time. The window to invest in Austin, in my opinion is gonna be good for awhile, but not a long while. The timer was set awhile ago. Remember the last time you said to yourself, “I could’ve, and I should’ve, and next time I will?”

    Do yourself a favor — don’t find yourself saying that about Austin.

    You’ll not hear about specific properties or projects on this blog. I’m keeping our Austin discoveries so far under the radar, we’re gonna redefine the very concept of stealthy.

    Yep, going to Texas was a solid move. Austin?

    A Wish List come true.

    This entry was posted on Saturday, October 13th, 2007 at 10:57 pm and is filed under Austin, Builders, Check This Out, Cool Info, Leverage. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

    14 comments to “Real Estate Investors — Austin Deserves Serious Attention — BawldGuy Wish List”

    Cher on October 14th, 2007 at 8:25 am said:

    • Hi, we’re back. Always nice to get back home.
      Austin was the last trip with Dad. We had a friend show us around. Beautiful city and yes, I agree, it has all the growth factors. But how did you get a price that breaks even? Amazing! Must be the current economy downturn?
      I like your wish list. Lots of thought went into that.

    Jeff Brown on October 14th, 2007 at 9:55 am said:

    • Hope you guys had a great time.

      My impression of Austin is that most locals may not be aware of what is possible there. It’s not that they’re unaware of how absolutely cool their city is, or how super their market is. There are investment opportunities there for which they’re not currently taking advantage.

      I hope to change that – and with the locals too. They’re great folks – so open and friendly. Women walk almost anywhere after sundown, without fear. It’s a superb place not only to live, but to raise a family.

    Lani Anglin on October 14th, 2007 at 2:32 pm said:

    • Wonderful article, Jeff- I couldn’t have said it better myself!

    Jeff Brown on October 14th, 2007 at 2:36 pm said:

    • Oh – I bet you could. :)

    Austin Real Estate Speed Links | InspiredAustin.com on October 14th, 2007 at 7:56 pm said:

    • [...] Real Estate Investment Blogger Jeff “Bawldguy” Brown was here last week, and I think he liked what he saw – BawldGuy Talking: Real Estate Investors — Austin Deserves Serious Attention — BawldGuy Wish List [...]

    BawldGuy on October 14th, 2007 at 9:25 pm said:

    • Thanks Ryan – Love to talk with you some time.

    Ryan Brown on October 14th, 2007 at 9:50 pm said:

    • No problem Jeff. We all like hearing good things about our town. I’m sorry I missed your visit. Perhaps another phone call is in order, although I think I’m still way behind in acting on all of your advice from the last one :) .

    BawldGuy on October 14th, 2007 at 9:56 pm said:

    • Well then boy, give me a call, and let’s hear the update.

      I expect a call no later than tomorrow afternoon. (Monday) :)

    Chris Lengquist on October 15th, 2007 at 6:39 am said:

    • Austin is extremely nice with all those pluses. And they have plenty of beer available.

    Lani Anglin on October 15th, 2007 at 7:20 am said:

    • Chris, we can always count on you for the most important insight ;)

    BawldGuy on October 15th, 2007 at 1:59 pm said:

    • I heard that Chris. :)

    Chris Lengquist on October 15th, 2007 at 3:47 pm said:

    • Did you take him to the taco place on the water? Or was that place reserved for just the three of us? :)

    Benn on October 16th, 2007 at 6:41 pm said:

    • Hrmm… with the right investors, I could arrange that ‘baldguy estates’ – coming Summer 2008- Now Pre-Selling ‘baldguy’ lots…

      Chris, we offered them the water view, he chose bbq- he isn’t from Kansas, remember?

    BawldGuy on October 16th, 2007 at 7:27 pm said:

    • It’s the water view next time fer sure. :)

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