All Forum Posts by: Beth H.

Yes a wonderful story.  It is great to hear stories like this especially when they are based in Baltimore.  We could use some positive news.

If you pick Maryland make sure you do your research on foreclosure law.  Also learn where the critical areas near the bay are since your expenses will be very high for septic replacement  etc.

I sue almost everyone of my tenants when they leave. In Maryland a judgement is good for 12 years and can be renewed at that time for another 12. I have an attorney that is pretty aggressive in garnishing wages and bank accounts. Last August I got $7,000 from one of the tenants bank accounts.  She had forgotten about the judgement so she called to make arrangements for monthly payments to pay off balance. I am collecting $600 per month from another tenant who had skipped out and we got a judgement on and are garnishing her wages.  I have collected on others as well over the years.  It is found money for me with little effort. Attorney will take 33 to 50% of collected amount.

Contact Jeff Tapper.

I agree with @Ali Boone. I live in the DC area now and have lived in Alabama in the past.  Tough to cash flow in the DC metro area now.  I have several rentals in Baltimore.  However you need to know the city well to become a wise investor.  Both areas are tenant friendly.  Wait until you get here to start investing in the market. 

Hi.  The new law is for 1 or 2 units.  The inspection for 3 or more units remains the same as before.  How many units is yours?

You should read Senate Bill 761 signed by the Governor of Maryland on May 22, 2005 for more information.  The penalties are stiff if you are caught.

I have been (doing this) for almost 18 years.  Like Jay mentioned before there are too many deals that are being co-wholesaled/daisy chained in this market.  For that reason I am not buying as many deals in the city and am back to looking to other sources to get my leads.  The great thing you have is the years worth of savings which I was going to suggest as we are seeing a cooling down in the market as we speak.  Good luck to you.

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@Henry Birt Day  Sorry you are having all these problems.  I am going through a similar issue right now with squatters.  Some of what the manager shared with you is correct like no evictions under 32 degrees and there was a back up after Lt Harris had issues.  

However, if they are truly squatters you need to file for Wrongful Detainer and summons for service.  I filed mine and got a hearing with 3 weeks.  The squatter showed up to court saying she had a lease.  I had my documentation and she had none except to say she paid someone the rent.  The judge ruled in my favor.  I requested that the defendant put up an appeals bond if she was going to appeal.  I was granted that so now I am waiting for the appeals period(10 days) before I can file for eviction.  I was told to type in bold Wrongful Detainer on that form as those get processed sooner versus other types of evictions.  After that it should be about 3 weeks for the sheriff to come out.

While I was in court I ran into a property manager I have known for years.  He said he has some wrongful detainer cases that have been dragging out six months plus.  Since you are out of state your best best is to hire an attorney to handle it for you.  Good Luck.

Prior to the laws that passed in 2007 for registering ground rent ownership and also prohibiting new ones from being created, there were a number of people who lost their homes to ground rent ejectment.  I personally like the new registration system.  Whenever I sell a house without a registered ground rent owner I have to track it for 3 years to collect my money that is sitting in escrow.