All Forum Posts by: Arwen Lothlorien

Personally I think earthquake is a bigger threat. But there is potential natural calamity everywhere. So while I won't buy something likely to fall down in an earthquake, there are plenty of things built to last.

I would love to join this meet-up! I am in King but looking to buy south. 

Please note the Nolo CA's book hasn't been updated for CA rent control, but should be in March. Big picture answer here is it will be expensive and hard to get up to market rate in this situation. Be very careful, poorly handled this will cost you.

Sounds like something Oakland will enact. 

Recently I charged a deposit of 2,500 for one cat. I love cats but a peeing cat can destroy everything. My thought is give the tenant a large incentive to make sure the cat does not damage anything. Assuming all goes well I refund the entire pet deposit. Also I require a note from the vet (cats on health, dogs on violence risk).

I require a letter from a vet (basically saying dog isn't a danger or cat is healthy) and a fully refundable deposit between$1,500 and $2,500. Depending on the property. No pet rent. This has worked out great for us, it's enough for me to be comfortable and they tend to really be committed to keeping the place safe from the pet due to the size of the deposit.

Why are they breaking their lease early? Several people in a year out of 3 bedrooms, sounds like there is a problem. Solve for that first.

Ok might just be me but I would go knock on their door and see if you can tell them you are selling and how awesome that is for them. Having them want your sale to go through will help you here. 

Instead of a 3rd party audit, why not jump on a plane and go out for a long weekend. You can see your places and tour other available units in the area for comparison. Nothing quite like getting your own perspective. 

Please don't use poison. You don't want stinking dead animals in the walls. Use traps lots of traps, seal off entry points, cut back trees branches that allow rats to jump onto the roof. And then reset your traps, i use peanut butter.