All Forum Posts by: Barry Cohen

Do not substitute a appraisal for a home home inspection. Even though they may claim to be thorough, the appraiser is not qualified nor knowledgable in the components of a house the way a home inspector is. Spend the extra money and buy yourself some peace.

For those of you that have scoped your possible purchases, what exactly are you scoping for. What is it that your looking to find. Cracked lines, obstructions?

For the Rochester NY investors out there. Does anyone have a good, reasonable priced electrician that they could recommend. Need to get some work done thanks to RGE.

Thanks for the help

A walk through and inspection are two different processes. I strongly believe in having a home inspected as this will reveal facets of the home that many buyers would not normally consider, and help to determine any unforessen costs. I also think a walk through should be done prior to close as many things can happen from the time of going to contact and closing. 

As a home inspector, I highly recommend always venting to the outside. Regardless if there is attic ventilation, there will be a good chance that mold can occur. Venting to the attic is a sign of a lazy installer, proceed with caution.

thanks @Mark Updegraff for the advice. @Rebecca Lebowitz  we have spoken and I have told you my concerns with this manager. Thanks for your advice as well. I think it's a time for change with this property as well.

Thanks all. It's a 3 bed/1 bath unit, in a nor so good area, so no, it is not high end at all. The estimate is not itemized and I will be requesting a detailed line by line estimate and I will be asking for an additional quote or two based on the scope of work and estimate. I have not seen the current condition nor has the mgr provided pictures which I want as well.

I'm looking for some feedback, especially from my fellow Rochester, NY investors. My tenant left the duplex unit after almost being evicted. My property manager sent a request to their contractor to make the unit ready and came back with a $5700 estimate which is blowing my mind. Granted I have not seen the unit and the manager has not been in touch with me to discuss yet. I'm trying to determine if the scope of the work seems excessively priced. Here is the description of work.

tenant has moved out, please change locks and get make ready estimate
We have a estimate that come in at 5743.67 and included material and labor
Replace lock and secured unit
Remove garbage leftover in the unit by prior tenant
Remove nail and decal from wall and ceiling
Prep , patch, and finish large hole in the
living room , stairs case and bedroom walls
Prep and paint entire unit
Remove and replace damage and stained carpet on the living room, dining room, 3 bedrooms , hallway and stairs tread
Replace broken outlet,switch and plate cover
install missing carbon monoxide and smoker detector
Repair kitchen cabinet
clean entire unit
Note: this estimate those not include a C/O ,section 8 or lead swipe and all unforeseen , alteration and deviation from above specifications involving extra costs will be executed only upon written orders, and will become an extra charge. Over and above the estimate

What are your thought on the cost of these repairs. Every time a repair is needed I feel I'm being ripped off. Thoughts?

Thanks

I,m investing in the Rochester area and would take a look at your properties as well to see if they fit for my use. I also could put you in touch with a realtor that works with investment properties.

I live on LI as well and have found that going the buy and hold route doesn't seem to work since the price of homes, and the taxes makes it somewhat difficult to cash flow. I also have invested in the Rochester NY market and have found that the numbers work pretty good up there.