All Forum Posts by: Bernee Brawn

It is on the water, but in SW Florida on the gulf - not home to many log cabins.  I had considered stucco, but am afraid of the weight factor. Also thinking of Hardie board for the front to be able to do something a little creative and then just repaint the sides where no one will really see it too much. 

Repaint the dock so it looks inviting and maybe a tiki hut waterside.  

My plan is to make it a "funky fish house" , shabby chic in a upscale, yet not expensive sort of way.  The house is what it is, and I want to play up on that as much as I can. Sort of "retro vacation", tiny house movement etc. 

I have $15000 in the budget for it all.... not sure that is realistic? 

Thanks for the reply Andriy..... vinyl is my thought as well, if I can get it done at the right price. 

I will go and take a look at Crystals posts... 

i have to remember this is an investment property and not over fix it! Budget... keep the budget in my head. 

I have just purchased a doublewide modular home that is on it's own lot in SW Florida. The outside of this poor home has been unloved for many years, and it's downright ugly- but I see a diamond in the ruff. This property is on the water and will be used as a VR. 

I have been searching all over the internet for some ideas of what to do with it (as reasonably as possible) and while I am finding tons of info on interior rehabs, I just can't find too much for the outside. 

Siding? Shingles? Repaint? All options, just need some inspiration!!! Any suggestions for good sites that have some good before and after photos?  

Thanks for any help....

Check out the Rockledge Tiny House group on FB https://www.facebook.com/groups/909633985742545/

We have rented VR's for about 15 yrs and always looked for places that allowed us to bring our dog(s). 

Suggestions

Have a dog bed handy, dog dishes, old towels, pooper scooper and bags, a extra leash, tie out chain. Give your renters a way to keep all clean, and they will try. If possible, have a fenced area where the dog can hang out in the yard. 

Put together a detailed Your Pet is Welcome list for your renters. Tell them where they can walk their dog, any local rules, and buy a box of those poop pick up bags for them to take on walks. Have the local Vets number handy and also the local SPCA in case someone runs off.  I would also talk to the neighbors and if their are issues have them contact you! No one wants to hear a barking dog. 

For my own dogs, I get a tag made with my cell phone number and when we stayed for a month or more, put the local address on the tag. 

I never hesitated (and often offered) to give a large dog deposit in case of damage. My dogs are crated when we would leave, so that was pretty safe for all concerned. People who fight a dog deposit.... I would hesitate to rent to them. Some folks think their dogs, and kids, are just perfect and those are the ones that could be a problem. 

Good luck@@

In my quest for an investment property here on the Island, I came across a FSBO manufactured home. It is in a community of similar properties. I am acquainted with the seller through a mutual friend.

The home is very nice, updated throughout and from my initial walk through wouldn't need a thing done. The one bugaboo is that they share the septic with the neighboring home. This is a new one on me. I asked the seller if the two owners have any written agreement for  upkeep and who pays for what. They do not. 

The property is priced well, and would be great as a vacation rental- but this septic thing makes me leary. Anyone have any suggestions on how to handle this? Should it be a concern?

Thanks....

yes, there are a lot of mobile homes here, some in good shape, many getting a bit long in the tooth. Some of the communities are ok, some not so nice. But none are what I see in my head 

And they are bringing some high prices right now....so am watching for any bargains to come along. 

I am new to the REI world, but have an interest in building/retrofitting small homes that are set up for our aging boomers. I've been doing a lot of reading on Aging in Place homes, set up with barrier free interiors, but not looking like hospital rooms.

I also found Ross Chapins Pocket Neighborhoods intriguing and believe that SW Florida is a perfect location for this type of community. 

So,  I am here to learn all I can before I do something I may regret down the proverbial road. 

I am new to the Bigger Pockets community and developing a pocket neighborhood is one of the reasons I  joined. I also found Ross Chapin and love his concepts of building small communities. 

I am in SW Florida and believe it's an ideal area for these homes. Finding information on feasibility has been difficult however. But, there is a town in the Florida east coast that is in the beginning stages of one! Rockledge has just approved a pocket community that will also include a small amount of THOW's. Here is their Facebook page with contact information. 

The way one person got this done is interesting and shows how a little imagination and thinking outside of the box might be able to make it happen.