All Forum Posts by: Colleen F.

Were you re-mapped ? The change is FEMA maps and the Biggert-Waters reform: http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/bw-12.jsp have a huge impact on flood insurance rates. If you have insurance and keep it you have some grandfathering but not forever. It also treats second homes and investments differently. It does not suggest a good future for any properties in flood zones.

WOW....... I just found a cat in one of my units upon arrival to do a repair. We don't allow pets (especially since this is a student rental). I would not however call the animal control. I just couldn't do it. A growling Pit bull yes, a dangerous snake yes. (something with a clear safety threat of course). But just because it should not be there it just seems excessive immediate course of action.

For our situation the initial story I got was that I approved the cat , I know that was not true. In the end they came up with an email from the property manager secretary implying that one of his relators approved the cat. A combination of being soft, liking these particular tenants, and knowing that kicking out the cat and the kids would mean a 6 month vacancy given the academic cycle had me keeping a cat. (lease says no pets). No more deposit as it is against RI law.

It is the landlords decision to allow or not allow pets or let this tenant go or not but i feel it could have been handled better. For us allowing pets is about the property and the tenant type.

I know first hand it is hard to find pet rentals. I am still thankful to the stranger years ago who offered me a pet friendly rental suggestion as I sat on the curb outside the quick mart depressed after a long weekend search for a place. I was wondering how to manage the cross country move and who would ever take our wonderful dog. Little kindnesses can go a long way.

@Michael Seeker on top of the paint cost what do you think the total cost is with the what you pay the painter for like the10 ft of countertop he has there? Looks good in your pictures but not something I would do. I am just wondering how it compares to just replacing the top.

@Bryce Y. If the formica is maybe burned and otherwise good might do the paint but this formica looks fine (on my computer anyway). Just lose the curtains and the clock, make the pulls a nice dark color and get a nice neutral contrast color on the walls. I am not sure whether that molding behind the sink could give you a splash of color. I put a couple of $4 sheets of glass tile behind the stove in one kitchen and they love it. Tile is low maintenance too. I am not suggesting putting tile on the counter or using it to any great extent but you might be find a small area behind the sink or stove where it gives you a little pop.

One possibility is to split the rehab as leases come up for renewal. If you have a couple of units for rehab might be a more effective use of the contractor or a cost advantage. Also if you have tenants in some units you may generate interest in the rehabbed units. If the kitchens are small granite may give you the edge at less cost in remnants.

For quantity of oil we just estimate on the size of the tank. One quarter of 250. I am not sure if there is any more accurate to do it.

Propane I guess you weigh it.

When you rent rooms in a home you are living in it is different then if you were to rent the entire house. For instance fair housing laws are not as strict. If your intent is to rent rooms while in grad school and then rent the house when you move on you need to explore both scenarios. In any case make sure you are clear when you explore the options that your immediate intent is to rent rooms. You will need to look at local ordinances on how many unrelated people can live in a house in a particular area before buying too. Also look at the Berkley city web site to see what it says about rental regulation.

For tax info I would look at irs.gov. Generally if you earn it here the government is going to want their cut. Since you aren't working but earning money off property you own I don't believe this is prohibited.

Good luck , this is also when I bought my first house it worked well for me although at the time people thought I was crazy. It got tight and we were is central Pa so don't stretch too thin given that area of the country is pricey.

While it is better if the tenant leaves and you should of course be considerate of them and follow the law your customer now is the new prospective tenant. I do what is best for them and for getting the property rented. If the prospect can only come on a certain day I try to accommodate them if I can.

If its only a week and the prospect doesn't need immediate occupancy I would wait but if this prospect has to be accommodated I would do it regardless of the tenant being there. I suggest saying you will be showing the house and give her a generous time estimate for how long. You don't owe her an explanation of how many showing etc. If you phrase it as 15 minutes she may not want to leave but if you are more vague she may decide to go. If she is there my experience is just say hi and move through the property that usually works fine. Only my students tenants have ever had extensive contact with prospective tenants and that is usually not about the property.

We don't allow the use of wood fireplaces and put plugs in them to insure that the heat is retained. We are in the northeast. I am not sure how the insurance figures in but that might be something to check. You can get a chimney inspection done if you want to allow it.

We make assumptions about tenants and they make assumptions about landlords. Oh its still for rent they must be ready to negotiate they are having problems getting tenants... If you are ok getting less do it but only if it suits your needs like the 18 month lease and they check out. If you for sure don't want to lower tell them not at this time and advertise. As for the couple not wanting to spend much on rent some people are just conservative on spending.

I am trying to fill a place now too and because it is 4 bedrooms the tenant pool is small (middle of the school year) so my property manager brings 1 guy over and says he wants it but he wants $100.00 off the rent .... hello you Mr PM showed it 1 time. .. and you want me to cut the rent.. Pass

Ok I thought it was some special cover up like no garbage cans visible from the street. Don't see that here they put those plastic strips in the chainlink fence but a tarp done right is probably more inexpensive.