All Forum Posts by: Alex Leana

@Matthew Irish-Jones thanks for the information, I definitely am going to be improving my screening process in the coming weeks to ensure my time is not wasted on the 75% of people who are not truly serious potential tenants.

@Timothy Smith I would appreciate that Tim, I tried messaging you but I don’t think it went through. Please send over your number and when you have time to talk! Thanks 😁

@Adam Martin thanks for the advice Adam. I did follow up with everyone I spoke to yesterday (10 out of the 50 leads) to let them know I am delaying the application process until I take ownership, am able to provide the opportunity to allow them to view the apartment and can provide them with a solid availability date.

The property isn’t in the nicest area but the apartment looks beautifully done after I purchased it from the flipper. If you would like to see what it looks like and give your thoughts on what to charge for rent, send me a message!

@Timothy Smith thanks for the insight, I would definitely appreciate setting up a call at some point in the next couple days. I decided to remove the listing after receiving 50+ inquiries in 2 hours and I haven’t even closed on it yet. I’ll shoot you a message, thanks Tim!

Today I listed my available apartment on Facebook Marketplace for the first time and got an exponential number of responses within 2 hours. My price is fair for the quality and neighborhood, my main questions lie with what the screening and renting laws are in Buffalo or New York State. Any help with these questions would be much appreciated.

Questions:

Can I deny someone based on section 8? If not, how does the process work? First time landlord, so I would like to avoid it if it is not illegal.

What documentation do you require for service animals?

If I am using cozy.co for background/credit check, do they pay for the entirety of the cost? Since I am not technically taking the application fee and NYS law limits the total application fee a landlord can accept.

@Eric Stets

Hey Eric, I’m closing on my first house hack duplex in Sloan/Lovejoy this month. I plan to live in it for the next year or so and would love to connect and discuss the successes and challenges you’ve had with your property.

@Dale Miller

Just tagged you in the Buffalo Event page for tonight. Make sure to sign up soon!

I would say at first I was browsing the market since I’m new to Buffalo, but over the last 5 months had analyzed the few deals that fit my criteria which were move in ready for house hacking since I have a girlfriend and daughter. I was also only familiar with south buffalo and the eastern suburbs, so West Buffalo was an area I wasn’t comfortable venturing into yet.

@Dale Miller here is the buffalo zoom event, follow Eric’s instructions above. I think you need to fill out the form above to be added to the call.

@Dale Miller

I have experienced the same thing in my search, but you will find a gem among the rough I am sure of it. Just keep at it and running conservative numbers, especially right now as the economy contracts.

I am in the closing process on my first duplex in Lovejoy/Sloan area after searching for a year and setting savings away, which I plan to house hack. While house hacked, it should save me $450+ on living expenses. When both units are rented out when I move on, it should cash flow $250+ per door.

I wish you the best of luck in the search! I look forward to connecting on tonight’s Buffalo Zoom call.

@Timothy Smith

Great additional information, thanks for sharing Tim. I’m currently listening to The Book on Managing Rental Properties to prepare for closing on my first rental in June. I think your tenant screening process sounds like an effective way to ensure good tenants legally.

Do you have a preference to Cozy.co or Rentprep?