All Forum Posts by: Casandra M.

UPDATE: My husband saw this post and I have officially backed down. He demanded that since he was on the right side of public opinion, he gets to choose what we have for dinner for a week. Thanks everyone. I'm going to really enjoy having mexican food 7 nights in a row. 

 I hadn't really thought of it as tenants being used to not having a fence - very good point. I've been approaching it as if tenants would be looking for a fence (hazard of someone who grew up without a pet in her childhood, lol).

Hi Rocky - I highly recommend Reeves Renovations, based out of Stoughton, WI. The GC has been doing renovations in single family homes in the Madison area for about 10 years now. 

That's my husband's argument, that we could maybe push for an extra $25 per month but not more. My main push was not necessarily more rent, but the chance of less turnover and more "stay" power with the tenants. Also interested in reduced risk with dogs causing trouble with neighbors. Thoughts on the risk part?

Maybe not the correct site for this discussion, but please take the time to read the below Reddit Thread, which I found amazingly helpful with starting an ATM business:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Entrepreneur/comments/324m48/i_own_an_atm_business_anybody_interested_in_how/?sort=old&limit=500#bottom-comments 

Not sure about the legality, but I'm sure even a private unsecured loan would have a smaller interest rate?

Hi everyone - I've been floating around BiggerPockets for a while now, but haven't started to actively participate and track posts until recently. Excited to start sharing my experiences and posting my questions!

A little background: Hubby and I purchased an upper/lower duplex a few years back, remodeled majority of property, including decks, and allow dogs for a $25 per month pet charge plus $300 pet deposit. 2/1/1 units at $800/mo in Janesville, WI. 

I am pushing to get a split fence installed on the property - the yard is currently shared between both tenants who both have dogs, and I would like two separate fenced areas for them to let the dogs out without tying them. I feel that if we install a fence, we could charge a bit more each month, while also being more attractive to long term tenants that need a large-dog friendly home (which, in my opinion, is hard to find in our area). Based on the quotes we've received (.32 acres, ~$5,000 for the fence), my husband doesn't see the value and would rather put that money towards a deposit on another multi-unit. 

Does anyone have experience in installing fences and seeing a better turnaround in tenants, or that have had a positive experience in higher rents and longer staying tenants due to a fenced yard? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

It sounds like the Seller's wife needs to be educated on the benefits of having several options available to them.... would the sellers be able to refinance their current loan into something more favorable, and then sell the property to you? The refinance costs may be less than the pre-payment penalty.

EDIT: This would also require an appraisal on the seller's part, which would benefit you as the buyer, in case the property comes in under expected market value. 

I had a similar experience with my side of the family when my husband and I started investing. It's definitley a mind set in my family that if something isn't easy, it's not worthwhile. My suggestion: join a local REI group that you can talk to about your investments, and discuss questions with. In my eyes, it's not beneficial to talk to someone about significant life choices if they can't comprehend the choice itself.

During our second turnover at a our first rental location, I walked an older woman through with her adult son who supposedly had an emotional support animal and was in school. Not only did she continue to talk over me when answering her questions, she insisted that the current tenants' dogs (who she had never met) could go outside with her while "we talk about life" outside. Later stated that her son's dog wasn't registered as an emotional support animal, but that it helps him from drinking too much. Later turned in application, with her income section stated as "none- retired" and her son's income section as "none- will be student once accepted into a college". She also left her license plate number, and let me know that she wasn't comfortable giving out her social security number, which we never asked for (and the application doesn't ask for).