All Forum Posts by: Josh C.

@Wesley W.

That’s a fair questions and I guess I didn’t explain it well.

We put in an order to have services turn off the date of move-in. And give them a sheet with all the utilities companies and instruct them to have switched over prior to move. So if the tenant is responsible they call a few days before move in there is no disruption in service and no need for adults. This is no “surprise your place is dark and cold” lol.

But people aren’t always responsible so we light pilot lights sometimes. But those are the people that don’t ever switch over utilities and you can’t shut off til March or April. So if that happens earlier and eviction runs long or something you could be in for a huge gas bill.

In Indianapolis we shut off utilities BEFORE tenants move in to force them to get them turn them on their name so we are stuck paying gas bills for them since you can’t shut the gas off on tenants. So no gas means no pilot light. Our utility company is supposed to do when they turn on gas services, but it’s not always done and is an issue. So we have to send someone out there. Usually in the $70 range. It’s the cost of doing business for both the PM company and owner.

A furnace in winter time takes up way less space than a bathroom. Don’t provide a furnace all winter and offer them $7. Nothing if furnace in attic or basement! Lol.

Please don’t offer them $30. You’ll piss off everyone involved.

@Adrian Jenkins

Search for Morris Invest in the forums for the ultimate out of state scare. The secrets are trust but verify things. Think your turnkey provider is screwing you on the price? Pay $300 or less for an appraisal from third party. Think your PM company is screwing you for carpet install? Very easy to get another opinion. As a PM company here in Indianapolis it’s common for out of state owners to get a second opinion when we give them an estimate of $1200 to tear down a large tree or something. We aren’t offended by it. I’d also recommend a little nicer place with higher rents if you only have one or two. They aren’t as attractive on paper, but don’t have the ups and downs the lower end stuff can. The lower end places can be great, but you need those long term tenants that make you a lot of money to offset the occasional $7,000 turnover because the tenants was breeding pit bulls or had his whole extended move in and never once cleaned a thing.

@Adam Lang

I’d be very hesitant to jump into bed long term in a buy and hold with someone I didn’t really really know. A flip is one thing and over and done in 6 months or so, but buy and hold could be 7-10 years. If you can get a second job and save up or a big value add I’d go that route before partnering with a random.

Good luck.

Work harder on your demo company. Hard work in the trades can get you there. Much faster than REI. All my Plummers and HVAC guys do very well.

@Anthony Hollis

They can't sell the traditional way? I thought the traditional way was on the MLS through a agent. Which is exactly what you are asking if you are allowed to do.

Curious what discounted services are? What did you offer exactly? If suggest a 10:1 ratio. Whatever you provide needs to be 10x more valuable to them than one hour. Even is not going to get the job done. Also your attitude will have a lot to do with it. Which I’m just guessing here, but probably could use more humility. We all could.

Good luck!

@Marissa Staller

Just leave your credit cards at home both days. Bring cash for food and drinks. Have fun and let us know if you thought valuable. Most people on here are thinking no (myself included), but you can give first hand knowledge. Honestly, it’s only a few hundred so not too bad, just please don’t buy the 30k training.

Some good guys in your list, but also some terrible ones. Please reach out if we can help, we’ve been at it a while with happy clients. I’ll second your idea of B class rentals. Not as attractive on paper as C/D class but in the long run payoff better. That is what I personally invest in. Indianapolis is a great market.

Good luck!