Oak Forest

In October 2016, Scott Byer and I took a leap of faith and embarked on our first real estate project in eight years. Despite our bustling family lives and demanding W2 jobs, we were determined to plunge back into the exciting world of real estate investment. Our confidence was bolstered by the success of our thriving Galveston rental property and the wealth of knowledge and respect we had accumulated for the industry over the years.

Scott Byer and Wendy Byer closing on their next project

Our journey was further smoothed by forming strategic partnerships with a hard money lender eager to invest in our venture, a reputable brokerage firm (Tentori Properties), and a seasoned realtor (Betsy Sherman) with extensive investor experience. Betsy's expertise was instrumental in finding our on-market property located in the Oak Forest area. The property, which belonged to an elderly woman transitioning to a nursing home, was sold by her children 'as is', allowing us to purchase it at a fair price in an area still relatively untouched by investors.

We enlisted the services of a contractor who had decades of experience maintaining properties for my aunt and uncle and had also worked on our Galveston rental. The project entailed a complete overhaul of the property, including a new roof, electrical, plumbing, flooring, and a bathroom remodel. We also reconfigured the kitchen to create a larger, open concept space and removed walls for a seamless entry, office, dining, and living area.

The highlight of the renovation was the transformation of an unsafe, non-functioning wood-burning fireplace into a stunning three-way gas fireplace that served as the centerpiece of the entrance. The primary bedroom, already sizable for a home of its age, was enhanced with a modernized bathroom and a walk-in shower, making it a standout feature. The custom hand-built closet doors by Scott Byer added a personal touch to the space.

As DIY enthusiasts, Scott and I devoted countless nights and weekends to the project, with our two young children often working alongside us. To our surprise, we discovered that I was pregnant with our third child a month into the project.

However, the project was not without its challenges. Balancing a full-time job in Marketing, pregnancy, and raising two kids, I often dropped off materials in the garage for the crew. Unfortunately, some subcontractors took advantage of the situation and stole the materials, likely to use on other jobs or return for store credit.

Despite the obstacles, this project remains one of our favorites. While we learned the hard way that pouring too much heart into a project can be unprofitable, the project was a success, receiving multiple offers above asking price. Moreover, we were approached by neighbors who admired our work and wanted to collaborate with us on future projects in the Oak Forest area. With a newborn on the way, Oak Forest projects 2 and 3 were next on our list.