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

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  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    3y

    Sorry it’s been a while since I last posted anything.

    Today’s tip is what type of electric/ plumbing guard to use. I have been using the flat type for years. Recently discovered a round one, big improvements.

    First you only need one, instead of two. Second they are way less likely to fall out. Third they leave the stud much more usable for drywall, etc. forth they can be installed when only one side of the wall is open.

    Ok, so here’s the down sides. Can not easily be added to existing stuff. You need to drill a 1” hole, so if your studs are close together, that’s not happening. They are more money, but you need half as many.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    3y

    For removing old flooring use a shingle shovel with a sharpened edge.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    3y

    Plumbing-you can install a valve in line to allow use of some plumbing now, and finish down line stuff later. For example I can have a sink working now and deal with  the ice maker later.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    3y

    Sealing npt pipe threads. Pro dope (Lowes) works better than teflon tape.

    Better yet avoid pipe threads if possible, do not recall ever having pex leak.

  • Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    3y

     Aloha,

    Rodents do like to eat PEX, however.

  • Investor · Thousand Oaks, CA · Member since 2017 · 306 posts · 123 votes
    3y
    on #5 I like the fingerprint or passcode type of locks as we can get them in bulk for $28.49 on Alibaba. My grandparents and parents use to do Motels so learned a quantity of 100 is always a much better price. I'm almost at the point I cannot pay retail any longer as it's always cheaper to develop our own new buildings or systems. https://www.alibaba.com/produc...
  • Investor · Neenah, WI · Member since 2017 · 21 posts · 7 votes
    3y

    We self manage 178iah units, my favorite tip is to use 1/2 in green treat plywood for my tub surround backer, then the surround over top. 
    we caulk it all in tidy, and the use garage door pvc trim to finish out the edges of the surround. We are getting significantly more life out of our surround kits now. 

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    3y

    @Richard F. - Thanks, go information to know.

    I have seen ground squirrels go right through 5/8 drywall ceilings and eat wires.

    So I should have assumed as much.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    3y

    @Alan DeRossett - thanks, great information. It’s a huge help and time saver including the link.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    3y

    @Norm Kopesky - thanks, great idea on tub building.

    I do have a question though , in Houston iah is bush airport, I’m assuming that’s not what you meant?

  • Investor · Neenah, WI · Member since 2017 · 21 posts · 7 votes
    3y

    Meant ish 178ish

  • Daniel SmythPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Rockford, IL · Member since 2019 · 471 posts · 342 votes
    3y

    @Max T. With the price of plywood, I will keep to my stud-finders every time.

    If you do measurements before you begin the instalation, you can pre-mark where the studs are, and where you will need wall anchors or interior blocking.

  • Investor · Neenah, WI · Member since 2017 · 21 posts · 7 votes
    3y

    The issue we are resolving is tenants falling against the walls busting the rock behind the wall, 

  • Investor · Thousand Oaks, CA · Member since 2017 · 306 posts · 123 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Norm Kopesky:

    The issue we are resolving is tenants falling against the walls busting the rock behind the wall, 


    do you mean intentionally falling into drywall?  have never had that happen accidentally. and if tenants break drywall they pay to fix it.
  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    3y

    @Norm Kopesky - thanks, ish makes sense, should have figured as much.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    3y

    Daniel Smyth - premark, good idea

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    3y
    Alan DeRossett-5/8 drywall will take more of a beating. Also more sound deadening and better fire rating. 
    And you could aways double it, or back with plywood. Had some tenants sharing a wall and complaining about each others noise. I go to look and there were holes in the shared wall, which of course no one did. I said i can dampen some of the noise. One layer of 3/4 plywood, followed by a layer of 5/8 dry, then a spray textured layer of drywall mud and paint.  The complaints stopped. I assumed it really worked great. A week later i see one of them has a cast on their wrist. So i suppose it really did work, just not how i planned.
  • Investor · Neenah, WI · Member since 2017 · 21 posts · 7 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Alan DeRossett:
    Quote from @Norm Kopesky:

    The issue we are resolving is tenants falling against the walls busting the rock behind the wall, 

    Slip or bang against the shower surround cracking the rock behind the surround. Then my surround leaks. 
    do you mean intentionally falling into drywall?  have never had that happen accidentally. and if tenants break drywall they pay to fix it.

  • Member since 2019 · 223 posts · 261 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Norm Kopesky:

    We self manage 178iah units, my favorite tip is to use 1/2 in green treat plywood for my tub surround backer, then the surround over top. 
    we caulk it all in tidy, and the use garage door pvc trim to finish out the edges of the surround. We are getting significantly more life out of our surround kits now. 


     What kind of tub surround do you use?

  • Investor · Neenah, WI · Member since 2017 · 21 posts · 7 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Craig Janet:
    Quote from @Norm Kopesky:

    We self manage 178iah units, my favorite tip is to use 1/2 in green treat plywood for my tub surround backer, then the surround over top. 
    we caulk it all in tidy, and the use garage door pvc trim to finish out the edges of the surround. We are getting significantly more life out of our surround kits now. 


     What kind of tub surround do you use?

    We use the budget minded Menards brand, 200$ish
    we run b-/d properties 
  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    3y

    Norm Kopesky - I love Menards, sadley it’s only for my Ohio properties, none in Houston Texas.

  • Investor · Thousand Oaks, CA · Member since 2017 · 306 posts · 123 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Steven Westlake:
    Alan DeRossett-5/8 drywall will take more of a beating. Also more sound deadening and better fire rating. 
    And you could aways double it, or back with plywood. Had some tenants sharing a wall and complaining about each others noise. I go to look and there were holes in the shared wall, which of course no one did. I said i can dampen some of the noise. One layer of 3/4 plywood, followed by a layer of 5/8 dry, then a spray textured layer of drywall mud and paint.  The complaints stopped. I assumed it really worked great. A week later i see one of them has a cast on their wrist. So i suppose it really did work, just not how i planned.

    ok, we have long-term tenants as none have ever broken the walls or tile in showers and baths. Most are very clean. and have been with us for 8 years or longer. Smaller Multitenant building in California.
  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    3y

    never trust an old electric box is dead, this one was drywall mudded and painted over and still hot. Note even the box itself is full of drywall mud.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 219 votes
    3y

    no mud this time, it’s just hanging down inside the wall, and yes it’s hot too.

  • Alfath AhmedBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    3y

    Great stuff man! We can all learn from your experience. 

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