Would You Live In It?

People often ask where I draw the line at what homes we sell to buyers or what homes we will manage for owners.  My answer is always a question.

Would you live in it?

We want clean safe homes in decent neighborhoods when it come to real estate investing.  Now, decent is a relative term. Where you come from, how much money you make, etc have a lot to do with what you consider decent.  But to me,  decent has to do with the relative value of a home in proximity to it’s surroundings.

Let me explain further. If the neighborhood the house is in is mostly rental property, it’s probably not going to appreciate along with the city or county rates. Too many rental houses bring a neighborhood down.  Lack of maintenance or tenant care are usually the biggest reasons for that.

There are several neighborhoods around Kansas City where investors (usually out of state) have come in and bought so many homes in an area that I worry about the long term viability of those investments.

Clean. Safe. Maintained. In a neighborhood of “stake holders” and one that has long term viability as far as expected appreciation relative to city averages.  That’s what I’m looking for in property to recommend to my investor clients.  And those are the kinds of homes we love to manage.

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Bicycling Olathe and Beyond

olathe bicycling club

I have just set up a Meet Up account to help track our Bicycling in Olathe and Beyond.  “BOB”

http://www.meetup.com/Bicycling-Olathe-and-Beyond-BOB/events/220234164/

That’s the URL to visit to keep track of the bicycling adventures that we will schedule here in Olathe.  Yes, I fully realize that this has little to do with real estate or real estate investment property.  But it’s part of who I am. Just like Jayhawk basketball, my wife & kids, and my faith.

Anyhow, if you are a reader of BBQ Capital and you like bicycling, or would like to try bicycling, come on out and join us.  I don’t take myself too seriously and it’s my hope that this group won’t either.

We’ll start at our office here in Olathe.  Good sized parking lot and good access to trails.  Also, a couple good “after the ride” meeting spots.  Hope to see you.

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Kansas City Income Property: Let’s Talk on Tuesdays

invest in kc

Kansas City is known for the following:

  • BBQ
  • The Royals
  • The Chiefs
  • SportingKC
  • College basketball
  • Income Property

Well, maybe I’m being a little simplistic.  But seriously, Kansas City does have great income property.  Want to know more?

Starting Tuesday, February 24, Chris Lengquist of Ad Astra Realty will be hosting weekly web meetings, Tuesday Talks, if you will.  Utilizing software that will allow us all to gather and talk he’ll answer your questions and give you some of the breakdowns and particulars of real estate investing in Kansas City.  Mark it on your calendar.  You are going to want to be there and space will be limited to 15 people each week.

Registration starts next week. There will be no charge.

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Net Worth: How You Doin’?

value of your assets

I saw a link that took me to this Motley Fool article that I found interesting.  I have been tracking my net worth for years.  Not that it is my end all be all.  But you can look at it from time to time and see clearly what is working…and what is not.

The author gives a pretty basic and easy to follow formula for figuring out what your net worth is and the graphic above is explained nicely as is how not to put too much emphasis on it.  It’s just another tool to see how you are doing.

Read the article and then take a few minutes to figure out where you stand.  It’s easier to know where you are going when you know where you are.

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REALTOR Referrals for Kansas City Income Property

 income property referrals

Ad Astra Realty works with real estate investors every day.  We manage over $26,000,000 in assets here in Kansas City.  We know investment and income property.

We also know that many of our readers here at BBQ Capital are real estate agents. We just want you to know that we are happy to work with your real estate and property management referrals.  You can read our Realtor Referrals web page to find out more.

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Insurance and Your Property Manager

You need to know about insurance and how it relates to your property manager.  Insurance in this business is your friend, not your enemy. Reducing your liability, and that of those who work with you, is a team effort.

One of the best articles I’ve ever read on the subject was published recently over at Certified Property Solutions of Hawaii’s blog.  You can find the link here.

But I couldn’t help but wondering when I was done reading the article in why I manage properties in Kansas City and they manage properties in Hawaii.  I think I am doing this wrong!  🙂

Back to the point, read the article.  It says it better than I ever have.

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Chris Lengquist Has Moved to Ad Astra Realty, Inc

KC property managementOfficial today, Chris Lengquist is no longer with Keller Williams Realty.  He has opened his own brokerage, Ad Astra Realty, Inc.  Chris and Ad Astra Realty  are licensed in both Kansas and Missouri.

From Ad Astra Realty’s website:

Ad Astra Realty is Kansas City’s premier real estate firm for real estate investing and property management.  We also offer traditional real estate services for buyers and sellers in both Kansas and Missouri.  Broker/Owner Chris Lengquist has been working with home buyers, home sellers and real estate investors since 2002.”

Please join Chris on this exciting new journey.

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