Tell us your war stories from viewing occupied multi families

Multi-Family and Apartment Investing
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Tell us your war stories from viewing occupied multi families

Drew Farnese
Flipper/Rehabber · West Chester, PA · Member since 2014 · 87 posts · 15 votes

I'm in the market for a multi family, and this week alone has been FULL of stories.

To start off, I guess some tenants just don't give a rats *** when a potential buyer is looking at their place...and they just hang out.

Awkward.

A few quick stories from this week.

They get weirder as they progress. ..

First place we went to there was a tenant occupied unit upstairs at a place and the downstairs was vacant. This guy was home with his family, making dinner then eating dinner as we're trying to look at the place. He knew we were coming, just didn't care. This was awkward but didn't really bother me at all, but my girlfriend felt extremely uncomfortable.

Next property had what I assume was a family of druggies.7. They all knew we were therr. We walk into a bedroom (the door was wide open) and a teenage girl is putting pants on. My real estate agent was sp embarassed, it was priceless. The girl didn't even care! In fact she was telling us to come in even though she was half nude! Weird!

Ok, now today- the strangest.

We go to a duplex in a very nice area, but based on the exterior the place probably needed work.

We go in the first unit (finally a vacant place!). Wreaks of cigarettes and generally just messy as hell. Snowboards tools and just crap laying everywhere. One bedroom has 2 padlocks on the outside of the door. I can only imagine what was behind that door. Another bedroom Wreaks of weed, and there are guns everywhere. Ok....

To the upstairs unit. OH! There's a dog on the porch. He's sleeping. Let me wake him up so he's not startled when I open the gate and attack us. Here doggy! Yeah, no. The dogs dead. We get closer. There's frozen blood coming from the dogs mouth.....

Let's try to ignore the dog- it's not our damn business. We go in, this tenant is home. 5 or 6 college kids. They did NOT want us there. It was very apparent, very awkward, and kinda had the feeling that it could get violent. So we said nothing about the dog and left pretty quickly.

We decided to check the barn before we left for good measure. The loft in the barn is pretty much a damn frat house, complete with 2 ****** wooden bars- and a stage with a stripper pole! Christmas lights and crappy speakers hanging from the ceiling.

We called the SPCA when we left. Hopefully they do something about the dog.

I'm sure everyone has a story or two. Bring them on!

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Robert Haworth
Investor · Reston, VA · Member since 2013 · 54 posts · 15 votes
12y
We were living in a MD town close to DC. We checked out a vacant HUD house and obtained the keys from the town administrator. It was super creepy, but we walked around the first floor before walking upstairs. I went up first, my wife behind me. Just as I had walked up enough to see the landing, I saw a body! I turned around quickly, and zoomed down the stairs, accidentally knocking my wife down in the process. I scooped her up and we were our the door. After we were outside, I told her what I had seen. We called the administrator to report the finding. At that point, he asked the address. Turns out he had given us the wrong set of keys. The house we had been in was due to be used by the fire academy for training. The "body" I saw was "Rescue Rick," a fireman dummy that they use to practice pulling people out of burning buildings!!
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  • Frank Uzzi
    Real Estate Attorney · Montvale, NJ · Member since 2014 · 37 posts · 12 votes
    12y

    Sounds like a fun week. I've seen some pretty weird stuff. I will spare the story behind these places but my most memorable things included:

    Someone sleeping naked on a sofa in the middle of the living room (in the middle of the day).

    A house that had used (that is stained and dirty) underwear hanging from the dining room chandelier and used "feminine" products just thrown on the bathroom floor.

    PS I love the pics...

    2Reply
  • John Nisewonger
    Investor · Chesterfield, VA · Member since 2014 · 93 posts · 11 votes
    12y

    I looked at a quad unit. The one unit we went in and there was people there when it was supposed to be vacant. Scared the crap out of the people. They were squatters who said they just moved in when they saw the paying tenant leave. Their couch was a back seat out of a van. The other tenant in another unit wouldnt answer the door. We left very soon.

    Went to another multi family unit in a rougher part of town. Went to look at the basement unit. Door was cracked open. Realtor was pretty cautious which made me a bit more uneasy. More squatters with drug para. everywhere. We left and I bought neither buildings.

    1Reply
  • Kyle Hipp
    Investor · Appleton, WI · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 464 votes
    12y

    I always find it funny whwn tenants will hide a bong under the kitchen sink. It makes sense when most people come over but that is the one cabinet in the kitchen that someone buying a house would look in!!!

    I never thought twice about having someone home when I am viewing a rental property. I would much rather get to meet my future tenants. Also it is there home, they shouldn't have to leave for the owners convenience. I get why people feel that way but that is just my take on it.

    3Reply
  • Jean BolgerPro Member
    Aurora, CO · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    12y

    @Drew Farnese -- OMG the dog! that takes the cake. The worst I have encountered was dried dog turds all over the carpet. I feel lucky.

    1Reply
  • Kimberly T.
    Investor · Colorado Springs CO · Member since 2014 · 535 posts · 253 votes
    12y

    The worst we had was a young woman who asked us to wait about 15 minutes while she "tidied up" (read: hid their drug para.). She was clearly on something at the time, and was a frequent user, based on her teeth. Unit was otherwise disgusting, and they had written graffiti-style on the wall and fridge. We ended up evicting them for not paying rent the following year.

    My parents had a guy sleeping in his boxers on the couch once, and there was another unit that was so gross (gross = dirty + pictures of the male tenant in full tranny get-up) that my dad did not let my mom go in and look.

    2Reply
  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    12y

    Wow this is why I am glad I do not deal in all that low end stuff.

    There is money to be made there but it is a real PITA to deal with for the yield.

    I remember one 60 unit I sold for a client in a factory town. They took rent by the week as everyone would spend the check otherwise. These were all one beds. Right before the buyers came to do an inspection I was waiting in the office while they collected some back rent on a few units.

    I could see them knock on the door from the office where I was sitting. The woman told the owner hold on for a little bit and I will have the money. 5 minutes later two guys went into the unit and about 25 minutes later they leave and the woman gives the owner the rent in cash. You don't have to guess on that one.

    Some of these tenants and lives it's hard to relate to their barbaric ways but I would guess it is normal in some third world countries but not here.

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    2Reply
  • Nettles Mason
    Specialist · Greenville, SC · Member since 2014 · 149 posts · 67 votes
    12y

    We visited a tri-plex. First door opened had 3 guys sitting around the coffee table with a couple lbs of weed stuffing little bags. The owner and I went upstairs. By the time we came back everybody was gone.

    2Reply
  • Dawn AnastasiPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2013 · 6k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    12y

    Wow, these are really amazing (and funny, except for the story about the dog).

    I wish I had something to share. The only surprise I had when visiting a 3-bedroom duplex is that the owner was using it as a "rooming house" and renting by the week instead of a conventional method ($100 per room per week).

    So each bedroom had its own lock on the door and the living room, bathroom, and kitchen were "common areas". The current occupants (2 of the rooms) came out and were chatting with us about how much they liked the place. But I didn't want to buy a "rooming house" place.

    Now I sound boring compared to everything above!

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  • Kirsten Walstedt
    Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2014 · 48 posts · 12 votes
    12y

    @Drew Farnese I already told this another thread so apology to anyone who read it. I looked at a house where the bank had let a homeless woman and her daughter stay there to "keep an eye on the place," but she lived like a hoarder and had 5 live chickens running around inside the house. It was sad because she said she and her daughter were living off the eggs. She clearly didn't want anyone to buy it because not only was it like a hoarder house but she went out of her way to point out the severe termite damage in the walls and ceiling as well as the massive number of scorpions and badly water-damaged porch.

    1Reply
  • Lisa Troxel
    Real Estate Agent · Hayden, ID · Member since 2010 · 89 posts · 31 votes
    12y

    Tenants have no incentive to leave and are usually present. They are a great source of information so use the opportunity. On my last deal, the tenant was not at home and I wish she had been. After I bought the place, I received a 2 1/2 page letter full of complaints and details that would have been good to know.

    1Reply
  • Nicole A.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Baltimore County Maryland and Tampa Florida · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    12y

    Some places you visit and afterwards, you can't find enough soap to make you feel better.

    2Reply
  • Robert Haworth
    Investor · Reston, VA · Member since 2013 · 54 posts · 15 votes
    12y
    We were living in a MD town close to DC. We checked out a vacant HUD house and obtained the keys from the town administrator. It was super creepy, but we walked around the first floor before walking upstairs. I went up first, my wife behind me. Just as I had walked up enough to see the landing, I saw a body! I turned around quickly, and zoomed down the stairs, accidentally knocking my wife down in the process. I scooped her up and we were our the door. After we were outside, I told her what I had seen. We called the administrator to report the finding. At that point, he asked the address. Turns out he had given us the wrong set of keys. The house we had been in was due to be used by the fire academy for training. The "body" I saw was "Rescue Rick," a fireman dummy that they use to practice pulling people out of burning buildings!!
    5Reply
  • Rob K.
    Investor · Southeast, MI · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    12y

    These are pretty good.

    My favorite was a time I went with a buddy to look at a side by side duplex. The first unit was vacant and we checked it out. When we got to the other side, it was occupied. My friend went to knock on the door and it was partially open. We could hear a TV inside. I told my friend that he's about to get shot when the door whipped open and a skinny guy wearing only underpants was at the door. He asked us what we wanted. My friend said, "We came by to see your unit." I started laughing and the tenant was offended and asked what he meant by that. My friend went on to say that he was there to view the unit that he lived in and the guy calmed down. I stopped laughing after about an hour, but still bring it up every once in a while.

    Another time, I went to look at a upper lower duplex that was owned by two butch lesbians. One of the bathrooms looked like the floor in front of the tub was a little spongy. I firmly put my foot next to the tub to see if it was solid and my foot went right through the floor. Those two women were not happy and wanted me to reimburse them for the damage. I had no interest in doing so and made my escape before things got ugly.

    4Reply
  • Drew Farnese
    OP
    Flipper/Rehabber · West Chester, PA · Member since 2014 · 87 posts · 15 votes
    12y

    @Frank Uzzi

    Finding a naked dude is definitely weird!!

    0Reply
  • Drew Farnese
    OP
    Flipper/Rehabber · West Chester, PA · Member since 2014 · 87 posts · 15 votes
    12y

    @Robert Haworth

    I think your story takes the cake on funniest!

    Though I'm sure it wasn't too funny when you thought it was a real body!

    0Reply
  • Drew Farnese
    OP
    Flipper/Rehabber · West Chester, PA · Member since 2014 · 87 posts · 15 votes
    12y

    @Rob K.

    I often laugh about the term "unit" when used in funny context too haha. That is hilarious!

    0Reply
  • Drew Farnese
    OP
    Flipper/Rehabber · West Chester, PA · Member since 2014 · 87 posts · 15 votes
    12y

    @Lisa Troxel

    You're right, it CAN be beneficial to have the tenant there. I'm new to it, thats all. Obviously though, some crazy stories can arise from these situations haha.

    0Reply
  • Drew Farnese
    OP
    Flipper/Rehabber · West Chester, PA · Member since 2014 · 87 posts · 15 votes
    12y

    Some great war stories here! Hopefully this keeps going!

    To follow up with my original story, I'm told the state police were at the house to investigate the dead dog later that evening. When my girlfriend called the SPCA they considered it potential animal abuse and called the police to report it. Apparently the state troopers patrol that area. Hopefully it worked itself out.

    0Reply
  • Thierry Van Roy
    Maastricht, The Netherlands · Member since 2013 · 131 posts · 18 votes
    12y

    It's funny when you invest in The Netherlands like I do. Weed is legal in-doors (and users are very normal young people), but it's still hilarious how embarassed tenants are when the smell is still hanging around while you inspect the unit. (Less legal is growing weed. We had a REIA meeting last Thursday, about 20% of those present have had a weed farm in one of their houses. Damages from 10,000 to 80,000 EUR and not always covered by insurance.)

    I once visited a unit occupied by a hoarder of old vinyl records. There were literally thousands of them, stacked from floor to ceiling. The unit itself had become invisible. One floor up, another unit, we were greeted by the tenant's ax.

    0Reply
  • Erik Noordam
    Amsterdam, Noord-Holland · Member since 2013 · 75 posts · 26 votes
    12y

    How about a retired judge that saved all his paperwork (verdicts etc) and legal publications in his apartment? Result: the floor was dangerously weighted down, so we removed all this 'hoarding' for safety measures.

    @Thierry Van Roy : are you at the REIA meeting (Vastgoedbelang) tonight in Amsterdam? Let's have coffee.

    1Reply
  • Thierry Van Roy
    Maastricht, The Netherlands · Member since 2013 · 131 posts · 18 votes
    12y

    @Erik Noordam

    Unfortunately not, it's a bit of a long trip just for the course. We are trying to get enough people here for them to come to the South of the country.

    I will be at Provada though!

    0Reply
  • Sean Leone
    Real Estate Investor · Issaquah, WA · Member since 2013 · 38 posts · 17 votes
    12y

    I can't resist telling this story even though it was a friend of mines SFR rental. He said the front and back doors had the locks changed so they couldn't get in but it was the only house he had seen where the cockroaches were trying to get out instead of in. They had to open the garage door and scraped their back on the ceiling because the discarded newspapers were stacked so high. Upstairs there was a bedroom at the end of the hall. Next to that was a closet. The tenants ripped the door off the closet and nailed it across the bedroom entry where they raised dogs. They threw the dog crap in the closet where it eventually rotted and fell through to the kitchen below where it sat in a pile about 3 feet high. The rest of the house was apparently equally disgusting.

    Unbelievable how some people live.

    2Reply
  • Account Closed
    SFR Investor · Stillwater, OK · Member since 2014 · 168 posts · 37 votes
    12y

    I have ran across one dead dog still on chain and another that was almost dead (distemper is what I was told later) they had no food or water.

    Saw another years back that was chained to a doghouse.

    One guy naked passed out in bathroom I hit him with the door four or five times to see if he was alive he finally groaned.His friends were drooling wasted , on the verge of passing out

    Man offered to sell me two duplexes with great tenants below at a nice price!

    A woman and her younger friend who offered dates with various prices Then guy who came out of back room with a empty crossbow whacked out on who knows what dope rigs on floor it's about 10:30am

    Bloody mattresses

    Knocked on one door and a mans voice said to come in

    I gagged when I opened the door and the chair he was in was full of liquid crap and he had squirted dribbled all over the floor. Plenty of whiskey bottles

    1Reply
  • Account Closed
    SFR Investor · Stillwater, OK · Member since 2014 · 168 posts · 37 votes
    12y

    @Sean Leone

    I envy your friend! Great story!

    0Reply
  • Judson Laipply
    North Ridgeville, OH · Member since 2014 · 17 posts · 7 votes
    12y

    In looking at a place long ago for my first occupied home...I saw what looked like some water damage/dry rot/peeling paint on some dry wall. As I got a closer look I could see some sort of movement under the wall almost like waves in water. Turns out the roaches were so plentiful they actually visible moved under the wall. I did not stick around to count them.

    2Reply
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