All Forum Posts by: Beth L.

@Tyler DivinePerhaps you should post this under the Landlord forums, since this forum is geared toward renters and not landlord/owners.

I have a vacation rental but (unfortunately) not in the Caribbean. Sorry I can't help you there. I heard though that it is much easier to do things in the US territories.  

@Susan M. I renew by creating a new lease with new dates and rental rates.

I would keep the hardwoods. It is really appealing to most everyone. Over time they can get scratched and the finish can start coming off in high traffic areas. At that point you can have them refinished or even get away with putting down a couple coats of poly. Maybe down the road if they start looking really bad then you can cover them with vinyl.

@Anna Sam we have a vacation rental home in Clermont, so the situation may be a little different, but our property manager arranges for a similar service quarterly (spray inside and outside perimeter) and this is done between guests. Also, once a year we go down and spend a few weeks inspecting and repairing the property. At that time we meet with a company and have them do an annual service where all switch and outlet plates are removed and granules put in, they pull back the appliances and drop granules, treat the hinges of the kitchen cabinets and also do a perimeter spray.

This really works! I can say that I have never seem a live bug in the house.

Perhaps you or the PM should arrange to meet the pest company, so no charges are incurred.

@Gualter Amarelo

Try holding an Open House.

Make sure your listing on Cragislist (or other listing site for your area) is complete, well written and includes lots of clear pictures.

Make sure to show the unit after it is ready. No one likes to see a unit during a reno or when things still need to be repaired.

Offer an incentive if this is common for your area and time of year (i.e., so much off first month's rent).

@Rick L. choose neutral colors and products with good reviews. I try to go with a middle grade product, since I don't want to replace it often. Choose light fixtures that don't need special bulbs, water and energy saving appliances, flooring that doesn't need special care or certain cleaners, solid core interior doors. If putting in a new tub, choose one with an interlocking surround (instead of using tile). It will not only save a lot of time, but is really maintenance free (no sealing grout or caulking, ever!) 

@Kendall Roberts

 Why wasn't the first boyfriend on the lease? Either way, you should add the new boyfriend after properly screening him. And get prepared to add a late fee when appropriate.

If the mother wants off the lease as a co-signer, you will need to assess the current occupants, and if they don't financially qualify, you can ask them to leave in accordance with your lease terms. Should be easy since they are on month-to-month.

@Mike Webb thank you! It gives me something to think about!

@Mike Webb are these 3 bedroom places SFH, duplexes or apartments? And what areas are they in? Near the city park, near Funkstown, near Salem Ave? Just curious. I know that prices are much less in those areas, just looking at the MLS, so I am sure that getting wholesale prices are much better. Do you self-manage or use a PM for your buy & holds? Personally, I wouldn't want to be in certain neighborhoods by myself at night for showings. But I do agree that some neighborhoods are just fine. My focus has been to offer places that I would like to live in myself, in a desirable neighborhood where the values may appreciate.

Can you shed some light on the city requirements for landlords? I think you have to register as a landlord with the city (it's like $30/year), lead paint inspections at each turnover (but that's also in the county), and city inspections every so many years. Isn't there something in place about the landlord being responsible for drug activity within city limits?

@Christina R. downtown the rents are cheaper than Mike mentioned, but most of those tenants have section 8 vouchers (if you want to deal with that) and they only live there because they have to. If anyone has experience with downtown Hagerstown rentals, please chime in.

@MONICA WATSON it looks like the doors will open if a stackable unit is there, right where the dryer is now.

Also, another option is that you can get smaller, apartment size, stackables for small spaces. Like this one. It is only 24 in. wide.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_149935-83-GTUP240EMWW_0__?Ntt=149935&UserSearch=149935&productId=3420268&rpp=32

Hope it works out for you!