All Forum Posts by: Christina R.

@J Scott

I would love to know what your wife thinks about the white cabinets in a rental!

(I sent you the granite info via email.)

One thing about the bathrooms - I believe that for Section 8 in Baltimore, if you have to walk through a bedroom to get to a bathroom, then that bedroom is not counted as a bedroom, it's a den (or can be marketed as something like that). In this TH you just purchased , because it's not one of those 1900s rowhomes in the city, that should not be an issue but just for future reference should you find yourself getting involved with those "real" Baltimore townhomes (ha!) , this type of layout is all over the place. Then adding that add'l bathroom almost becomes a must if you want to be able to rent out as a 3 bedroom to command more rent.

@J Scott

J - Your conversation with your Jon confirms what Denise told me when we walked properties in November in an area that she invests in that I'm very interesting in picking up rentals in . . . she puts Allure flooring in (I think it's a laminate; it looks like a genuine hardwood and is apparently pretty indestructible) and she almost always does a granite counter and SS appliances.

I'd personally never put SS appliances in a rental, period. I don't think the cost is justified just because of the cosmetic upkeep required with SS - it's a high maintenance item. I can't mentally wrap my head around damaging a SS fridge but I'm sure many renters wouldn't care at all about nicks, etc. Black appliances work fine against any color scheme as well. But I plan to spring for the granite countertop because of durability and the "wow" factor. And then screen the tenant like crazy.

From all accounts I've heard from active Baltimore investors, Section 8 in Baltimore are extremely picky because they can be - they are used to seeing higher end touches in friends' places and come to expect the same.

I think I saved an email on a local place that does granite 'scraps' - etc., you may be able to get the size you need at a very good price that keeps your 12K goal intact or very close to it. Let me know if you want the info.

@Cameron Ellis

- very inspirational and I bet the Big Mac Meal (my personal fave) tastes even better when you aren't an employee!!!

Very motivational!

I would say that's even better because you had a real relationship with her. You can stress that in any communication. I would like to think if it was me and I was getting something after my mom passed that I'd be more incline to work with someone who knew her if I was going to eventually just sell the property quickly

were you a next door neighbor or a few doors away/on another street? if not next door, maybe start with asking those who lived right next to her if she had any family in the area and then ask leading questions from there to try to do some fact-gathering. Maybe search the property records and see if the property is in her name or a trust. Is there mail being delivered to the property? If not, it's getting routed somewhere most likely. Jot a personal note that just says something to the effect that you are sorry for the loss, you remember her (in "x" way) and when they are ready to settle her estate you hope they contact you as you live in the same neighborhood and would like to make sure her property is as well maintained after her death as it was before.

then put a note in your calendar for 60- 90 days after you mail that letter to do another mailing that is basically "just staying in touch with you."

I'm sure others that have actually been in this situation have stellar advice for you.

Awesome! ! Duplexes are looking more and more appealing as I read and learn more about them from people here on BP.

I love San Diego and since it is about 15 degrees here today, wish I was there!

is this a condo, townhouse or single family?

I ask because I could easily (mentally) spend 20k and up on a full blown sfh kitchen renovation, not to mention the rest of the house.

For a full blown reno size matters.

@J Scott

J - what's your timeline you'd like to stick to do get the fixup done and are you finding construction costs to be comparable or higher than Atlanta (I can't image that around here they may actually be lower . . .)

I'm not positive but I believe in MD that water must be in the LL name and then billed as part of rent. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Baltimore City can have ridiculously high water bills from what I've seen/read/heard . . not sure about the county . . .

@Benjamin C. - Welcome! As @Ned Carey lots of DMV people here and 2 good Meetups in Arbutus and Columbia each month - and they are FREE!!! Hope to see you at one!

@J Scott

@J Scott - looking forward to getting the details here on your thread. It's also reassuring that there ARE deals that go out on the Meetup that are legit. I guess I'm so conditioned by the "if it's a smokin' hot deal it won't see the light of day (buyers will be running for it)" mentality that I usually gloss over a lot on the Meetup listserv.

But I also know that has a lot to do with my inexperience and fear.