All Forum Posts by: Christina M.

@Carini Rochester We have had a lot of luck with Whirlpool and Frigidaire. We use to purchase Kenmore and they were solid when we upgraded units over the years actually gave them to young investors.

Most refrigerators are made by the same manufacturers with different tags. I think Maytag makes Kenmore now? We do not buy LG anything we were told a long time ago getting parts is tough?

We added ice makers to our upgraded models inside freezer only never had an issue.

Over 30 years of purchasing refrigerators we had 1 Frigidaire compressor go after 7-8 years.

@Cecilia Ann Jones

Your home appears well maintained and very clean this is key. Although I noticed the washer and dryer area does not match the rest of the house. At this level of rent attention to every detail is key.

To me your rental says young professionals versus family with children because the Baltimore Schools are a big 😬. Some Parents do send their children to private schools although at higher rents it's an added advantage to be in a good/great school district. Is the house Pet Friendly? Young Professionals without children usually have pets. Is there a park or yard?

We had 2 units go up on the same day one home and one apartment, two realtors, two different but great locations, school districts (both great) and two different type of renters and price points. The house had 3 showings one after another same day (2 applications 3rd wanted to look at one more house before making decision) and the apartment rented to first showing on first day listed.

We have been through many rentals markets since the mid-90s but have not seen a market like this one.

Although people always need a place to live perhaps ask your Realtor for feedback from the showings? Did you review other rentals in your area for comparisons? How did you arrive at your monthly rent? Do you clearly list everything included in the rent? Is there a professional colored pictures that highlights the home and what is included in the rent for people to take with them?

@Rongsu Qi. I had a rental early 2022 priced it high on purpose lowered rent in Spring received quite a few applications no one qualified income or credit. Rented in May to extremely qualified applicant.

Today first time ever have 2 rentals go on market 1 Apartment and 1 Single Family this will be a good indication of the market for me.

@Simon Obas at first glance interior it looks fine although when I review with my $850k eye the fit and finishes are not there. The Chandelier is beautiful but it doesn't move me enough to overlook many not $850k items.

We have different level of rentals some rentals Home Depot is fine other rentals need more elevated fit and finishes.

You know about the Landscaping it's as important if not the most important as key selling feature especially during these times when people are investing a lot in out door spaces. Specifically in your price range.

Also I look at houses for sale and rent at least once a day to get a feel for the markets - you do not have enough photos some houses in that price range have over 60 photos - arial shots and floor plan. The photos are to motivate buyers to schedule a showing.

You only get one chance before going to market attention to "every detail" including the price. At this price point and market at every turn you need buyers to say wow.

Take a step back and evaluate with a strategic eye everything about your product, timing, it's value and price.

Best of Luck.

@Sapir Simply - people call me Christine but my name is Christina it's printed everywhere - even have to correct on legal documents. It never bothered although I will correct certain people if the keep repeating incorrectly and are annoying.

Do what moves you? If anyone has an issue with you based on your name you most likely do not want to do business with them. How many people will call you based on your name?

@Scott Mac My husband just said the exact same thing - now you know why I install the round ones.

@Joshua Taffe If it's a 2nd Mortgage / Second Lien position these loans are very expensive higher risk. In the event of a default 1st Mortgage gets paid and whatever is leftover if anything 2nd Mortgage Lien is paid.

@Mike Jay Does this mean that for Conventional loans the Banks are no longer able to sell the loans to the Feds? Meaning they will have to hold the paper- it will be even harder to get a conventional loan.

Therefore pushing everyone into the more very expensive FHA loans insured/owned by the Government. FHA - the Government had the market share of loans Conventional loans surpassed FHA and in 2005 the Government wanted the share of the market back. So they changed Underwritings Guidelines to match Conventional because prior most people didn't want to deal with FHA. After 2008 crash everyone was forced into even more expensive FHA loans increased upfront PMI and monthly insurance premium which is very difficult to get removed.

So fast forward and it seems here we go again the Government being the Bank.

@Mary Jay Tenants that travel and pay with checks have mailed 3 checks post dated for the applicable month and I deposited accordingly on the 1st of the of the month due. Or Tenants that pay by check - checks must arrive 1-2 weeks prior to the 1st of the month - checks are not deposited until the 1st of the month.

In my experience it's always the USPS that's the issue. Rents checks returned to sender (never bills), placed in the incorrect PO Box, legal outgoing mailboxes not picked when a postal person is on vacation/out sick, or a new one starts even though there's a big sign POST OFFICE please Check outgoing mailbox, there's so many more.

I do know Zelle has restricted the amount some people can send in a transaction or a single day or even over a rolling 30 day. So one Tenant I noticed is doing split payments sometimes larger amount last day of current month and smaller payment on the 1st - some months the amounts are reversed.

@Gila Brown While you are reading, learning and growing experience consider adding a local experience Realtor to your team. This will keep you in check with the rules and regulations of fair housing, etc. Also the best, most professional, qualified tenants we ever have - all went through Realtors - "every level of rental." When we started out placing an add in the local newspaper was the main way to advertise a rental - gasp? What's that?