Rehab tip of the day

Rehab tip of the day

Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes

Let’s start a list of issues with the property it self and how we fixed them:

1. Painted over wall paper - used a belt sander with 60 grit, then a skim coat mud, then normal paint prep.

2. Not enough matching doors - replace closet doors with bifold louvered doors, move other doors around.

3. Always paint before putting in new flooring, this saves covering the floor, and top down if more than one color.

4. Buy appliances from a used appliances store.

5. Change to a non key entrance system, maybe like a motel, this saves changing locks, and tenants making keys for all their buddies.

6. A security camera system outside can make you money by allowing you to charge for pets, prove someone was the party who did the damage, more people than on the lease. And you can list it as a feature.

7. Electric baseboard heat is a cheap way to replace an old furnace that feeds several units which you pay for.

8. Wainscot covers a lot of lower wall issues.

9. Acrylic tubs never rust.

10. Leak detector water shut offs can save a lot of damage that would not get reported.

11. New Plastic windows never need painted.

12. Remove old chimneys that leak, and repair roof, assuming they are used anymore.

13. Add coin op washer and dryer, it’s a feature and a money maker, first one I did returned my investment in less than a year.

14. Mini storage on same or close by property.

Please add all that you can here. Hopefully you learn on my dime, and I learn on yours.

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Rental Property Investor · Concord, NC · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 3k+ votes
5y

Ugly unframed bathroom sheet mirrors - Pick up enough trim to cover the border.  Notch trim around wall supports. Miter cut corners and attached trim to mirror with caulk. Paint.  Looks 10x times better

See this reply in the discussion

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  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    @Marian Smith - also there are some metal z clips that allow you to hit the studs, then the box covers the metal channels

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    @Alan DeRossett - this was under at least 7 layers of paint, i even tried those little pin punch rollers and remover spray.

    I saved as much hardware as I could. But some was just too far gone. See pic below of what I sandblasted and painted.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    5y
  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    link to glass knobs above on amazon

    https://www.amazon.com/Defende...

  • Rental Property Investor · Rockford, IL · Member since 2014 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    5y

    @Steven Westlake,

    Be careful about #7 in more northerly climes. It may increase your vacancy when tenants discover they can no longer afford to heat their unit.

    I would add this:

    Since the TX power grid has proven unreliable and the providers can price gouge (how the justice department will challenge that remains to be seen), you could possibly ask premium rents by adding a generator / transfer switch to each building. Unit billing can become a bit complex, but will probably pay for itself easily in increased rent you can ask. Check with supplemental power providers in your area

    In an area with multiple property owners, a power co-op may prove beneficial.

    My $0.02 ...

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    Josh Norell -

    Mudjacking can be an alternative to replacing concrete in some cases.

    please explain


    Rip down 3/8 plywood for cheap shiplap.

    Nice, thinking you might be able to just slot the whole sheet, thin blade shallow cuts

    Proper planning and foresight of a project. Think ahead and shop around for what you need ahead of time to get the best deal. Don't get stuck needing something "today" and have to get whatever is available.

    100% agree, now if only my memory would cooperate, thank goodness for cameras on your phone

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Member since 2019 · 45 posts · 21 votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Steven Westlake:

    Josh Norell -

    Mudjacking can be an alternative to replacing concrete in some cases.

    please explain

    I had a house once that had badly sunken/cracked concrete in the garage, creating significant unevenness, and about a 2" gap between the garage door and the concrete. Replacement would have been 3-5k. I had it mud-jacked for $750, which got it even enough, and closed the gap. I wouldn't recommend this on a higher end house, but for the median or below it's an acceptable solution for me.
  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    @David Dachtera - first #7 was about 2002 in Bellefontaine Ohio, highest point of elevation in the state. 308 north madriver, a quad. I had just replaced the windows and sided the building and was moving people in to everything being remodeled, along with nearly doubling the rent. No one even mentioned it being too high. Only that mine was the nicest apartment they had seen.

    I did notice no one left their windows open in the winter after that.

    For the Texas property’s I think the generator might have value. The power grid is much more reliable in Ohio.

    Below is from a few weeks ago at another property i have in Bellefontaine ohio.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    5y
  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    @Josh Norell - thanks

  • Realtor · Boulder, CO · Member since 2016 · 3k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Steven Westlake:

    Steve K. -

    Vintage mid-century crappers in cool colors sell for big bucks on ebay.

    I'd sell them and replace them with low flow new ones with nice fresh seals.

    Exactly. We bought an 8 plex with 20 of them, and sinks to match. We had the full rainbow of colors, and have been selling them and replacing with $200 new ones as the units turn. Using an epoxy paint on the tiles and tubs to get everything g fresh and white at the same time. Really freshens up the look and doesn’t cost too much. Hipsters love the ugly old toilets apparently, funkier the color the better. 

  • Property Manager · Land O lakes, FL · Member since 2016 · 72 posts · 61 votes
    5y

    @Steven Westlake awesome tips. Also:

    - paint aluminum window frames, makes the windows look modern.

    - repair or replace old cabinets and repaint, add new hardware, they look like new

    - buy used appliances or always ask for a scratch and dent or open box appliances. Same warranty much cheaper

    - buy appliances, etc on black friday at Lowes they will store in their warehouse for months until home is ready for them.t9 deliver.

    - at Home Depot always aks for better pricing at their bid room. They track what you buy and give you better pricing.

    -open a teades account at Sherwin Williams, lumber liquidators etc. For bulk pricing.

    As I come up with more I'll share. Thanks you all. Happy Rehabbing

    - open handymen access at Sherwin Williams etc and get

  • Investor · Thousand Oaks, CA · Member since 2017 · 306 posts · 123 votes
    5y

    We have very good rebates for Full home Batteries even without Solar roofs, Texas utility customers could make back money if you program the Home energy system to recharged at a low peak pricing to use at peak pricing. ROI is just over 1 year on mine. https://www.sce.com/residentia...

  • Member since 2020 · 64 posts · 17 votes
    5y

    @Max T.that is exactly what my husband did before installing kitchen cabinets in our ADU. Makes life much easier!

  • Rental Property Investor · Seminole, FL · Member since 2014 · 85 posts · 68 votes
    5y
    1. Vinyl tiles in the cabinets under sinks reduces mildew build up.
    2. Replace toilet water hose with the metal ones.
    3. Kwikset locks with re-key technology for turnover.
  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    5y

     I have refaced old cabinets. 1/4” pine over the box, 1x6 drawer fronts. Rip 1x3 furring strips for rails and styles. Toss in some wainscoting for the field area. Glue, nail, and sealer, and hardware from amazon or eBay. 2 weekends, and less than $500 you got a custom kitchen. Hardware was almost half the money.
     Oh, paint the insides to cover stains and make easier to clean.

     Note i even moved the center “post” to the door. A life saver at 6’2” and 280 plus lbs for under sink work.

     The last pic is a brand new custom kitchen, some assembly required. Haha.

  • Mindy JensenPro Member
    BiggerPockets Money Podcast Host · Longmont, CO · Member since 2014 · 7k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Steven Westlake:

    @Marian Smith - absolutely- that house was new in 1983, normally the cut off year for all the bad issues is 1978

    1978 is the cut off for lead paint. 1979 is the cutoff for asbestos, but you were allowed to finish up your supplies so you're seeing asbestos into late 80's builds. Popcorn should always be tested before scraping.

    After pulling down the wallpaper in my daughter's room, I want to murder the person who invented it.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    @Mindy Jensen - thank you very much. These cut off dates are great information to know.

    Do you know if all the states had the same dates? Fyi the 1983 property is in Houston, Texas.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    @Mindy Jensen - I tracked down the dirty varmint, but there’s no need to murder him, as he died for his awful deed many years ago.

    Jean-Michel Papillon

    In 1675, a Frenchman and engraver named Jean-Michel Papillon made the first repeating designs that matched on both sides. It not only repeated, but also was continuous from one sheet to the next. Papillon is known as the inventor of wallpaper as it is known today.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    Ignore what I said above - Don’t try the slotting plywood for wainscoting look, it did NOT work, without being able to stagger the wood grain, it still looks like plywood.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    @Mindy Jensen - I tracked down the dirty varmint, but there’s no need to murder him, as he died for his awful deed many years ago.

    Jean-Michel Papillon

    In 1675, a Frenchman and engraver named Jean-Michel Papillon made the first repeating designs that matched on both sides. It not only repeated, but also was continuous from one sheet to the next. Papillon is known as the inventor of wallpaper as it is known today.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    Use toilet bowl cleaner on nasty bath tubs. Squirt it on, scrub around with a toilet bowl brush. Let it soak for a few hours, then rinse.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    5y
  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    FYI, i put this tub in new about 8 yrs ago, had it repainted about 3 years ago.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    5y

     Merry Christmas to me, separate meters, mean I will soon NOT be paying the electric bill. Plus $250 month.
     And new electric heaters and new electric water heaters, mean the gas bill for the central heat and shared water heater goes as well. Plus $200 month.
     Plus I think the furnace room can be another bedroom or maybe even a whole new apartment. Plus a bedroom equals $100 to $150, or new studio maybe $600 - 700, but it would need a basement bathroom with a macerating pump, etc.

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