Cohousing-L Mailing List: Retrofit properties: finding

[Jasmine Gold (juturna]

If you want to work with a real estate agent, I suggest finding a new
one. At the very minimum, you should be working with an agent who would
suggest method #2 to you.

Method #1: General method for finding a property that is not on the open
market (investment or otherwise):
1. Walk around the area that you are interested in. If you see a
property that interests you, write down its address.
2. Find a copy of Metroscan to locate the owner. All good real estate
agents have access to this. Large real estate agencies and some small
agencies own copies of it. Other agencies access it indirectly through a
title company. You may also be able to access it yourself through some
government office.
3. Write the owner or have your agent write the owner a brief letter
explaining who you are and why you are interested (The Cohousing
Handbook has a copy of a good generic letter). Follow-up it up with a
phone call.

Method #2:
In addition to ownership, Metroscan lists information on lot size,
zoning, number of units on the property, building size, etc. You can
print out a list of the properties that meet your criteria and either
contact the owners yourself or have your real estate agent do it (see #3
above). 

Method #3: Investment property specific
Contact an investment property broker. Many investment properties get
sold this way. There are many brokerages in my area (Silicon Valley)
including some national companies such as Marcus and Millichap. A good
national resource for investment properties is http://www.loopnet.com

Method #4: Talk to the building department. They may know of properties
that would meet your needs.

Method #5: Look in the classifieds. I have found many investment
properties listed there.

Good luck!
Jasmine Gold