On the market for a grow house: any advice?

[Hal Incandenza]

I'm currently growing in a smallish SFR in San Francisco. The space just isn't enough anymore, so I'm looking outside the city for a spacious grow-house. I'm also considering buying a warehouse or something of the sort. Any advice/guides on buying real estate for MMJ?

 

[budup16]

personally i only grow small scale eg 12 plants max so i have a nice amount of medicine for myself but in your case id say keep your nose clean and dont get caught good luck ! peace

 

[Hal Incandenza]

I'll take that into consideration.

Up in BC there are realtors that will find people ideal grow houses (i.e. private, secure, good environment to grow in). I'm sure there are some here, right?

 

[Mattemil]

Realitors like that are everywhere, all they care about is commision.

 

[QuackQuack]

Personally, I'd only rent if the landlord was aware of my activities. That probably means providing the landlord with his legitimate rent, and an additional under the table (off the books) cash supplement. Don't even consider renting and trying to keep the landlord in the dark. The landlord has a legal right in every state I know of, to access or inspect the property with a stipulated amount of notice (24hrs, 48hrs, ect. depending on the state). Last thing you want is to be scrambling to get everything out in 24 hrs. I know someone who had to do it, and it wasn't fun. Luckily, I'm in Oregon and can grow legally for myself.

 

[guy incognito]

I don't think I would let a realtor know what is going on. Just tell them you need a huge basement for some other reason.

 

[Hal Incandenza]

Well I'd be buying the property outright, so landlords wouldn't be a problem. As for the realtor...I'll just say I need a huge basement for my art studio or something.

 

[Xrangex]

What's your budget?

 

[Hal Incandenza]

What's your budget?

Well, I've decided to keep my current home, and try for a cheap home within 45 minutes of SF. The most I could pay would be 100,000, any more would be too great a financial risk.

 

[theQuetzalcoatl]

I'm in Canada so I could be completely wrong but wouldn't a HUD home be an ideal cover? If the house was constantly in a state of renovation (Yet kept tidy and it's general condition did slowly improve) Neighbors would be glad to see property values increase, it would explain lights and extra power usage and you should be able to grab the house cheaply. I guess permits and inspections could be a hassle but it's a thought.

 

[Hal Incandenza]

I'm in Canada so I could be completely wrong but wouldn't a HUD home be an ideal cover? If the house was constantly in a state of renovation (Yet kept tidy and it's general condition did slowly improve) Neighbors would be glad to see property values increase, it would explain lights and extra power usage and you should be able to grab the house cheaply. I guess permits and inspections could be a hassle but it's a thought.

I'm definitely going to look into this.

 

[tibberous]

Realtor.com and craigslist. If you actually have a bunch of cash, you have a ton of options - a lot more than someone who was having to get a mortgage. Keep an eye out for houses that can't get approved for government-backed mortgages, especially vandalized foreclosures, unfinished new construction, log cabins and aframes that can't find comps, dual metered duplexs and trailers with property.

Remember not to blow all your cash on the building!

 

[BustinScales510]

Dont wanna be a downer but for 100,000 I dont think you could find even a one room condo within 45 min of SF,let alone a house suitable for growing. Youre in the City homie,you know how it is . They are few and far between but there are still some 215 friendly warehouse owners in the industrial areas of the East Bay. I know you mentioned you wanna buy something but if the budget is 100k Im not sure what other options there are.

 

[OGEvilgenius]

I don't think I would let a realtor know what is going on. Just tell them you need a huge basement for some other reason.

For your games room. Pool table etc. Pool tables require large rooms that usually are out of the way.

 

[hair of the dog]

There is a down side to the HUD fix up home loan program. At least a down side for your purpose. The program is the 203-k loan. In short, you buy a house and get money for the fix up. Great way to buy distressed property that can't get financed other ways. You can make great bank by buying a house like this, fixing it up while you live in it, the selling after a couple of years. Great leaverage. The downside, you do the work and get it inspected at intervals. They cut loose the money after each inspection. The inspections may be an issue for your grow. Still, it's a great way to get into property and it works best if you have some cash in hand to do the repairs and then get reimbursed. Financially it's an amazing deal. Check it out, talk to a mortgage place that writes these deals. Well worth your time to learn all you can about it. It may or may not work for you.