Is this a serious question?

Yes it is. If you have any opportunities to invest, where you put your money small or big projects? 

Just to clarify, the two choices are big and small, correct?

Yes, they are. Just you know, we are investing in small projects right now. However, I have friends that are investing in bing projects. For you guys, what are the best choice in overall?

Always Go Big!

Definitely big. Go big or go home. (Damn, LITS beat me to it.)

How big? What do/did you do to go big? what is big for you?

I'd definitely invest in Small's properties since he's the original BIG.

big is 180 mph winds 

Agree with you David Curtis

"Size isn't everything"...Big ideas with one step at the time....

The number one rule is location.  Better to have a small project in a hot area than a big one in a bad location.

Commercial big if you can afford it...  The why is higher returns because the rental rates get adjusted to the market, the quality of construction is better, better maintenance (also a minus because higher costs), easier to update to current trends, etc.   

Oscar, if you don't know about it already, check out this site: https://www.biggerpockets.com/. They have a great podcast and an active forum and network for real estate investing. This one is also worth listening to: https://realestateguysradio.co.... 

I'm part owner of a few rental properties but we are gearing up to get more. The podcasts make it sound like Ohio, especially Cincinnati, is a place to get good deals right now. Personally I'd rather own more locally. Currently we have 1-3 unit properties but would like to get into the 10-30 unit residential market. Anything in the commercial world is a bit risky right now, as the market is changing rapidly. But people always need a place to live. Are you looking at buying and flipping, or buying and holding? 

In some point agree with you mightyaa.

Wood Guy. I like those links, thanks. However, you did prove my point regarding to focus in small projects first and then move to big projects. But you think is  a mistake for someone to invest in big projects right on the start than initiate with small project with lower risks?

oscar... this is a pretty dumb question... but I'm assuming your lack of insight might be a language barrier... or greeness...common sense teaches us crawl before you walk... walk before you run... etc. 

Bigger projects equal bigger risk/reward... a small one family that nets the developer $200k when sold is great for a small develper. But if youre managing a billion dollar pension plan, you NEED to invest in bigger projects. whats your real question?

Wudan freo, thanks for your comments. However, I don't manage a billion dollar pension plan. I just want to get your experiences in small and big projects. Have you have any real estate portfolio? how many investments do you have? how many properties or houses do you have? Can you share with us any tips other than " A BILLION DOLLAR PENSION PLAN?

Build a building for your firm.  Have part of it be rental space for tenant(s)

The most well-off architects I know have all done this.

The brokest firms I know are renting space in skyscrapers for "prestige".

I always think education is a worthwhile investment.

Wurdan freo - thanks for your comments, but you sound with lack of knowledge and experience. I doubt you have any investment in real estate. Anyway, thanks for your comments.

thisisnotmyname - I like your comments and in some part is true. thanks for your opinion.

ecnal. - Agree with you. However, we need to get financial education as well in order to do well in life.

David Curtis.- Can you elaborate more about your previous comments regarding "always? Have you conversed with students? I would add to your comments to the "public in general"

This material is gold for another Zoolander film.

radomised and David Curtis.- so, welcome to zoolander film, you are the duo directors. 

"Non Sequitur - Not at 50K a year for a M.Arch"... I am still thinking is a good investment as long as you will be educated in financial matters for your professional life or business. When you start to make smart investments in small projects and then move to medium or big projects, you will see the difference.

OB | X @ obhastudio

Non Sequitur - Depends, if you are able to make a profit in the future of this investment in your education, I think is worth it. Of course, if you have the diploma hanging in living room is different if you have it in your own office or firm, right?

Thanks guys for your opinions,. please let's go back to the original topic. I'd like to ask you, if you will be able to invest in small or big properties, Will you flip it or your hold it and crate passive income? please let me know your thoughts.

Invest in ammo and tequila, not necessarily in that order.

Flip or hold? SUPERFLIP!

Impossible question to answer.  Too many variables.  Depends on long term appreciation, current cash flow, other investment opportunities, etc., etc., etc.  Why are you asking?  Curiosity?

We hold a few properties, currently 7 units total split between 3 properties.  It really depends so much on the rental characteristics of your particular market.  I'd say generally you will tend to make more money on properties with more units -- basically if you're doing residential rental market, your ROI for a single building goes up with the more units you can squeeze into it.  We're hoping to get into some 6-unit properties b/c in our town that's a real sweet spot for income generation.  It really depends on the characterstics of that particular neighborhood, however... and in our town, landlords typically take on a lot (not just maintenance but utilities costs too); I can imagine that if you're looking at a market where tenant takes on full utilities costs, the numbers would be better for fewer units (even single-family maybe).  Unit SIZE makes a difference as well... is your market primarily driven by families or college rental?  If so, you might do better witha 2 3-bed units.  Is it more solo folks? then 3 2-bed units will make more money.  However, smaller units turn over more frequently and there's more competition in the market... 

All this off the top of my head, to say: pay attention to the dynamics of your particular market, and that's how you'll have your answer.  Our best performing unit is currently our lone single-family but that's because we picked it up for a steal so the mortgage is super low.  Really depends on so many different dynamics... 

I second the recommendation for the Bigger Pockets podcast & website.

Sorry....stock market is where I invest my money.

On the fence...Thanks for your comments, but I am rather to stay out of the stock market. if you are good at it. good luck!

Simonelectric... I prefer small projects for now and then move to the big deals.

In overall, I prefer to hold and create cash flow, this is the game of wealthy people. Flip properties, for me will be secondary choice. Of course, depends the transaction deal.

Thanks for the information.

On a much smaller scale scenario,would it be lucrative to buy a duplex on FHA ? one is yours, the other to be rented?

Can be an alternative cipyboy. however, I prefer to go with traditional with 20% of the value of the property to avoid PMI. Everything depends how good is the deal and where is located.

2, 3 or 4 family-house is the ideal for small investments and then you can move and invest for  properties with more units.

Oscar, are you investing by getting an equity stake from design fees for these properties or are you using cash to buy them? If you are buying them, are you using your cash or someone elses? Do you manage the buildings you own?

Don't put all of your eggs into one basket. 

Yes, cipyboy, ABSOLUTELY. GREAT way to get into the investment real estate game: build equity through your renters' money! FHA loans (typically 95/5 financing) are perfectly fine as long as your cash flow covers the additional PMI cost, until the point where you've built up your 20% equity (either through your standard monthly payments over time or, if you're lucky, through property value appreciation and a good refi) and then you can drop the PMI. After dropping the PMI you get a windfall of hundreds more income per month :-)

As in all investment real estate, whether any of this makes sense or not is totally dependent on the dynamics of your market and the specifics of whatever property you're looking at. But, in nearly any large city in the US (NOT Boston NYC or SF) the rental markets are strong and housing can often be found for not too much, if you have the bank's backing. And don't forget, the projected rental income helps to qualify you for the loan--the bank will take that into account, so you don't need to prove that your monthly salary can swing the entire mortgage. Most everyone I know has gotten into this game including quite a few friends who financed thru FHA loans. Best advice: if you're thinking about this at all, go to the bank early--even if you're nearly broke--to find out what your targets are and what the potential picture could look like for you. Then watch your specifical local market-- BOTH for home sales and for rental rates-- for at least 1 full year (hopefully more) before you actually jump. Have fun!

FWIW, I disagree with Oscar about only taking on 80/20 financing (to avoid PMI). That's because, unless you live amazingly cheaply/ don't have a family, it will take quite a few additional years to save 20% (plus financing costs!) than 5% down -- and meanwhile, housing purchase cost is going up in that time (in most markets outpacing savings interest), thereby erasing the value of part of your savings that you've been working so hard to put aside. Generally, the absolute earliest you can possibly afford to buy into the rental market is best (assuming as always that the pro forma of your purchase works out). That way, you can start lining your coffers with rental money which outstrips the cost of the PMI anyway, in the same time that otherwise you would still be saving for 20% down -- and if you're in a decent market, your building might appreciate enough for you to refi and drop the PMI before you alternatively would have finished scrimping and saving to your 20% anyway. The rental real estate market works on monthly cash flows -- not on overall total investment cost (after 30 years mortgage)--so it makes less sense to save up extra down payment in advance than it does with a traditional single-family residence. Basically you are taking time to save in advance, spend more upfront, and then essentially slowly repay yourself at a slightly higher monthly rate than you would otherwise get -- versus buying something quick at a lower price, and getting slightly less of a monthly income for the first few years (until you drop your PMI at which point investment returns for both options would match).

Does that makes sense? Investment property runs on leveraged investment. It doesn't usually make sense to leverage yourself slightly less by waiting 5 years longer.

Plus, eliminating the idea of saving to 20% down means you can potentially afford a larger property with more units at 5% down, and as discussed above, the more units, the higher (exponentially) your income stream so basically you want to take what money you have, and buy the biggest thing you can afford -- which is probably going to mean a lower down payment (unless you are wealthy already haha!)

Oscar... in a previous life I owned 5 units. Sold them all. Was a landlord for over 5 years. 

Please tell me, in Bayamon, what constitutes a good deal? 

Purchase Price?

Location?

Rental rates?

Target tenant?

And seriously... what's the point of your question? Because it seems very vague to me. Big project or small project? 

Thanks all for your comments and inputs. It is definitely a topic to discuss for long. Even though, it sounds for many very easy to deal with.  I may disagree or agree with some of you. I m still believe you have to move from small projects to big projects. Of course the location, potential clients, cost of the properties, taxes, etc influence any decision about purchase the property.

David - I agree with you. Location and other things influence to buy properties in any city, in any town.

However, will you buy for passive income or flip (sales in short terms) when you buy a property? Please your thoughts

By the way, don't forget to get your copy of a new book: Architect as Money Maker at amazon

randomised. Much appreciate if you want to share additional comments to the subject in discussion. If it is not, please make silence and let others to participate. Thank you.

Thank you randomised. Please colleagues and friends share your thoughts about the previous question posted above: 

Will you buy for passive income or flip (sales in short terms) when you buy a property? Much appreciate your participation and opinions.

I bought a duplex to hold and using both units as rentals. a lot of variables to consider. I recommend talking to others who have skin in the game.

The fuck away from real estate.

It takes a lot of dumb to put your day job and your savings in the same basket.

well I disagree null. If you are liquid assets and can get a good deal, buying to hold is the way to go. There are things like who are you renting to... age of school he house, taxes, insurances... etc. A lot of work and heqd ache, but I make more than I do having 1% interest in the bank doing nothing

Guys, please advise me best graduate schools from these, for Master of Architecture program. I am looking for curriculum which has the strongest program of specialization in sustainability.

M.ARCH (Master of Architecture)

1. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign - (Has specialization of Building performance in it)

2. University at Buffalo (Has specialization of Ecological practices in it)

3. Arizona State university (Has electives in sustainability subject)

4. University of Arizona (Has electives in sustainability subject)

Considering all aspects.. like excellent job opportunities, landing up in good jobs early,  top notch payscale , how good is the university overall, course, curriculum, location and overall ranking?

Which one is first class in all aspects? All in all, which one should I prefer?

Thank you.

Yes , firstly we are investing in small projects right now.After gaining some experience on this field we  can move and invest for  properties with more units.

https://bit.ly/2WIEvrH

It seems like medium properties would be a logical step...