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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Real Estate and Landlording => Topic started by: sdeng87 on March 13, 2013, 04:51:58 PM

Title: Owner/Builder in Southern California
Post by: sdeng87 on March 13, 2013, 04:51:58 PM

Does anybody here have owner/builder experience in southern California? I've been 'stashing my cash away for several years and am beginning to explore this possibility. My parents have been owner/builders on two homes now (late 80s, early 00s), however, the financing and permitting seems to have been changed a lot since then. If anybody has any experience, please chime in or share your stories.

How is the financing for construction loans?
What are some unforeseen obstacles?

Thanks

Title: Re: Owner/Builder in Southern California
Post by: Johnny Aloha on March 13, 2013, 05:50:48 PM

I recently did owner/builder on a small renovation (not in CA).

Lesson learned: it is worth the money to hire a draftsman/permit runner to develop the drawings and secure the permits - even though most people can do this themselves.  They have the "special handshake" to make the permitting process quicker and much less stressful.

I paid about 8% of the project cost for this service and it was worth every penny.