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Home » Personal » DreamStone Diaries: Episode 1 – We bought a house!?

DreamStone Diaries: Episode 1 – We bought a house!?

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Okay guys… we’re off to a crazy start here in Florida. We’ve only been here two weeks, and it feels like months. Our days are jam packed with meetings and research and house hunting and evaluations and networking… not to mention trying to record it all and edit it down into a vlog so you guys can come along for the ride and learn from our mistakes experience. Our heads are spinning… but in the best way possible 🙂

Grab a comfy chair and enjoy our first vlog, DreamStone Diaries – Episode 1:

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By the time you read this, there will be even more updates and news to share. It’s a real life drama that’s unfolding every hour. Honestly, we’re just along for the ride on this rollercoaster and trying to keep our sanity. At least I have someone to hang onto this time around! Lucas has been amazing throughout this business-launching stage, and I really couldn’t pull this off without him (spreadsheets and I don’t get along). I’ll have to step up and put my strengths into play as soon as we get the keys to this first house, which is scheduled to be the day after Valentine’s. Eek! So much to plan, so little time.

This is the part where I need your help—with so much flying around right now, what do you want to learn about or see more of? What topics can we address in the next episode that you want answered from a real, honest perspective? We’re just getting started and we certainly don’t know it all, but we’ve learned an incredible amount compared to just a few months ago and want to help you guys too!

Drop me a note in the comments below, or find me on Facebook, instagram or email at jenna@jennasuedesign.com. More excitement, coming right up!

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Comments

  1. Cindy says

    So excited to follow along, and BTW I like the video breaks. What are the determining factors in choosing to flip a property or use as a rental?

  2. Rachel Young says

    I would love to know how you’ve landed 2 properties while being “unemployed” – not saying as an offensive thing- but just as how are you getting these after traveling so many months? Bank loans for construction? Your own savings? How did you decide on these properties? I would love to know how you prepared the last year. My husband have ALWAYS wanted to do what you are doing but are SO LOST on how to start, what to do, the money needed, etc. SO INSPIRED! SO EXCITED! How are you setting up your business? What is the business plan you have in your head? AH! YAY!

    • jennasuedesign says

      Thanks Rachel — we’re addressing financing in the next episode so I think it will be really helpful for you guys!

  3. Karen B. says

    Congratulations! This is going to be fun, following along on this great adventure.
    xo,
    Karen

  4. Beth Q says

    HI jenna,
    I just love to watch how you completely turn around a house and make it into a home for someone. I loved the flip you did last year and looked forward to how you planned on transforming each and every room. Your style is gorgeous. I love seeing the tutorials and diy projects. Wishing you and Lucas all the best and I will be following.

  5. Kelly says

    Hey Jenna! I’m very excited to follow your journey. I love how authentic you are! I’m interested to know how you know when the numbers work. What do you look for? How do you spot a good deal as far as numbers go? Thanks!

    • jennasuedesign says

      Good question Kelly! We’ll go into detail on our property evaluations in another episode soon!

  6. Jessica says

    So excited to see you in action (in the real estate world) again. Looking forward to following your adventures. I’d love to know more about how you chose the properties you did for investments purposes. What were the different criteria that you looked for. Then, how do you go about making the necessary decisions about the work that you’ll put into it’s an investment versus if it was your personal home. Will you continue to live in the apartment or will you be looking for a home yourself?

    • jennasuedesign says

      Thank you Jessica, all great questions! Added to the list and we’ll be addressing them soon 🙂

  7. Hallie says

    Another reader extremely interested in all the business and financing details you care to share. I am in the research phase of real estate investing myself, so in addition to loving watching your remodeling and decorating choices, there probably isn’t a thought or a process that wouldn’t interest me.

    Thank you, and best wishes!!!!!

    • jennasuedesign says

      Thanks Hallie! There’s so much to navigate in the world of financing, and we’ve definitely been on quite the rollercoaster trying to get it all figured out! We will share more in an upcoming episode 🙂

  8. Deb says

    Congratulations!!
    How do you vet contractors? How do you know someone will be good, what signs do you look for?
    Now after seeing the video, I understand the question mark after the exclamation point. I look forward to the future stories! Also because my husband has numerous clients in Tampa and is pushing to move there!

    • jennasuedesign says

      We’re struggling with that right now! Scrambling to find a good one as our referrals have dried up. It’s so tough in this market. Hopefully we’ll be able to answer this soon!

  9. Colleen says

    I’d love to see you incorporate he said/she said into your videos & blog posts. Not in a stirring-up-drama-on-a-reality-show way but a hey-we-made-this-choice-and-here-are-the-reasons-that-were-important-to-Jenna-and-here-are-the-different-reasons-that-were-important-to-Lucas-and-yay-put-together-it-resulted-in-this-decision-we-are-very-happy-about way. Hope that makes sense? I guess I’m saying I’d like to hear about your individual perspectives, as well.
    Good luck, looking forward to following along.

  10. Carly says

    Congrats! LOVE this new adventure. Home Advisors a free service (they just merged with Angie’s List)to use as a starting point to find subs, contractors, etc. in your area. You may need to do a separate more in depth vlog with more details on the wholesalers, banking, financing end of these transaction for those of us that need the details not big picture. I have purchased 13 homes in 8 states, I never knew the word “wholesalers?” before. Is this a term for agent/brokers that do only investment real estate? Thanks, so excited to watch the process!

    • jennasuedesign says

      Thanks for the tip, Carly! We definitely plan to cover all of the above, in separate vlogs and as an ongoing discussion as we learn more and go through the process. Congrats on your investments! <3

  11. Michelle | Birds of Berwick says

    Agree on the Wholesaler comment! How did you land on the name “DreamStone”? How much of your own finances contribute to this venture or are all the properties fully financed by banks and lenders? I like the vlog’s, but less of the “fun” clips in-between might be nice, sorry! 🙂 I really just want to follow along on this journey in a more in-depth fashion and those just make your process feel a little, well, silly (for lack of a better description). Although you’re new to this, you certainly are no amateur with houses, so let it shine! Last questions, I always ate up all of your words in your post because you’re a really great writer and very genuine. Will you continue to blog about this or just vlog?
    Thank you!

    • jennasuedesign says

      Thanks Michelle, I’ve noted everything to address in the future! DreamStone just came to me and it felt right to us (after exhausting a million other possibilities and urls!) There will definitely be more thorough blog content in the future — right now time management is a problem so I have to prioritize! Once the renovation gets underway, there will be lots of photos and more in depth tutorials/discussions on the blog, as time permits 🙂

  12. Kelsey G says

    This news makes me week!! So excited!! More for me than for you because really – all the inspo you create is drool worthy. I wear a bib though, so no worries.

  13. Shannon says

    So exciting!! I would love to know more about the financing part, do you have to have a large down payment or all cash offers? Do you use investors? Can’t wait to hear more!

  14. Ashley- At Home with Ashley says

    That’s so exciting- congrats! I’m looking forward to following along! I’d love to hear how you plan to address the exterior. How to DIY solutions to make that cute house shine. On Fixer Upper the changes Joanna makes to the outside of the house make such a difference, but seem out of reach, you know?

    • jennasuedesign says

      Thank you Ashley! Oh yeah, I’ve been thinking a lot about the exterior and have a plan (totally channeling Jo on this one)… but it may be cost prohibitive! Something has to be done, but it may happen later on down the line. I’ll keep you updated!

  15. Mudrick says

    Hi, I’m interested to learn more about what role the wholesaler fulfills compared to a real estate agent.

    • jennasuedesign says

      That’s a great question — we didn’t even know wholesalers existed until a few months ago! I’ll add it to our list of topics 🙂

    • Maria B. says

      I am also curious of the role of a wholesaler and what the role brings to the table as an investor or owner.
      -Maria
      P.S. I am so glad you will continue to share your insights, style and skills with us. Hope you have a wonderful 2018!

    • Faye says

      Very interested in the wholesaler aspect, also. Been following you for a while. What made you go back to Florida? Thrilled to see how everything turns out. Getting ready to start a project where I am and TRYING to get some rental units. My husband and I have done flips but no rentals. Good luck!

Welcome!

Hi, I’m Jenna and I’ve been designing and DIY’ing my way through homes since 2008. Join me as I learn, share my experience, and hopefully encourage/inspire you along the way!

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