All Forum Posts by: Angela Smith

Mine also has hookups in the basement.  I am not going to provide these appliances.  If they have problems, I am the one responsible for the repair. 

My only concern is, the basement stairs are narrow in my 1940's SFH. It is not rented yet. But I am currently debating whether to remove the hookups. It doesn't bring any more or less rent, but with the stairs being so narrow, I worry about the tenant causing damage when trying to bring the appliances in or removing them.

In your case, I would consider if having providing them would result in extra revenue for you.  Also, would it require another thing to have to fix? 

Hmmm. I don't know for certain. Generally, I would be reluctant to make a claim unless it was something extreme or perhaps criminal. The damage deposit is meant to be used for damages incurred by the tenant. Making insurance claims can cause your insurance premium to go up, or can cause you to be dropped once the claim is settled. A better way to mitigate your risk is by doing a thorough screening prior to placing a tenant.

Considering this is a report that you commissioned, you are responsible for paying for the report.

I like to see the positive review of Christian Park area. Our one and only rental is there. It's a quiet area with an active neighborhood Facebook group. I think this speaks well of the demographics there. The residents are interested in making and keeping Christian Park a good environment to live.

I recommend you start by deciding specific answers to those question as regards your first purchase. As it stands, the answers you provided are wishy washy. Focus on just one property and not the end of the game. The end goal will come, but first you have to take that first step. Answer those questions, stick by your decision and find the property that fits these parameters.

What's your budget? Are you looking for single family or multi-family? Turn key or rehab? If rehab are you diy? Will you be flipping or buy and hold? How far are you willing to travel from your home for rehab and maintenance? If holding, will you be managing yourself? There's a lot to consider when deciding what neighborhoods to focus on.

Try borax. It worked on hardwoods in our rental. We were using it to kill the fleas that the previous owners cats left behind. We also discovered that it help the cat pee odor considerably. We couldn't spend any time at all in this house until we got these problems under control. Our plan was to kill the fleas first, then address the odor. Thankfully, the odor calmed down with the borax as well. I don't know if the odor returns later because we literally cleaned the crap out of the place.

Also think about a future sale of this house, would that lead pipe limit buyers?  What does having a lead pipe mean for you insurance?  Can it be insured?

I don't know anything, to be honest, but these are concerns I would have as well.

Thank you for all the replies.

We decided to do nothing about the floor drain.  The basement is for storage only, so it's not livable space anyway.  If it ever happens again, we will do the same thing...place a pump to remove the standing water.

BTW, the toilet has be fixed.

We are doing a lot of work ourselves, but it's taking forever.  Thankfully, we found a neighborhood guy to mow the yard regularly, taking that responsibility away.  I would like to ask him to powerwash the house as well as replace some missing soffit.  But, I don't know what a reasonable amount to pay him for this work.

It is a single story about 1000 square feet, rectangle with vinyl siding.  The siding is dusty and needs a good wash.  There are 2 pieces of soffit (I have the pieces) that have fallen, they need to be popped back in place.

I could hire a handyman service, but I trust the lawn guy and I believe he could benefit from the work, now that the grass has stopped growing.

Any advice on how to determine a price?