All Forum Posts by: Dawn P.

I prefer SFH in dire need of repair and updating, but in a good neighborhood. The more trashed they are, the better. Bad roofs, sketchy floor joists, it doesn't matter if the price is right. Most of my rentals were foreclosures...all were found on the MLS.

I've found several cheap doors and windows (5-10 bucks) in our local Restore, but they're so hit and miss. It usually is faster to just hit Lowe's and get what I need, unless you have a little time to kill and enjoy poking around for deals!

Is there a reason you feel the whole house needs to be rewired? I'd probably just upgrade your panel and install the GFCIs as needed. I rehabbed a house last year that was built in '68, spent about $1000 putting in a 200A panel and replacing all outlets and light fixtures in the house...got a family in there now with three kids and all the usual TVs, games, computers, etc. They haven't had a single problem.

I wouldn't spend the money rewiring it all unless there was a serious issue. Save that money for something else.

If you just wanted to do the bathrooms, I'd go with tile on a concrete slab. If you're wanting to replace the whole house, I'd do vinyl plank - it has the look of laminate but won't get wrecked by water and spills. Plus it's easy to install. I've put it in a couple of my rentals and everyone loves it. Several people thought it was laminate.

This is the Stainmaster Washed Oak/Dove Gray from Lowe's (don't know why it uploads sideways!)...

I needed a very small sidewalk and back patio poured on my last rehab - but I had the same problem, nobody wanted to bother with something so small. I got fed up and posted on Home Advisor, thinking it was a waste of time....but I ended up finding an awesome landscaper who did concrete too. He's now my go-to guy for major landscaping stuff and small concrete jobs. Maybe give Home Advisor a try, can't hurt!

I've been using these, they're relatively cheap, good quality and dress up even mediocre cabinetry well.

cabinet pulls

Dingbat: Since February is such a short month, can't you charge less rent?

Me: Only if I can charge more for months with 31 days.

Just when I think I've heard/read it all...

Please tell me none of these clowns expected their security deposits back! 

I had a military tenant get transferred after three months on a 12 month lease - she pleaded with me to do the final walkthrough while they still had a pile of moving boxes in the front room. They really needed the security deposit back, they were driving cross country, weren't sure of their new address yet so I couldn't mail the check, etc. I liked her, never had a problem with her, so silly me said okay. House was looked fine so I cut the check and she said she'd lock up and leave the keys after they got the last load of boxes.

When I went back the next day, I found that those boxes were covering serious damage to the hardwood floors - she had two enormous (unauthorized) dogs that she kept locked in that room, according to the neighbors. I felt like such an idiot...

Lesson learned. Never do a final walkthrough unless EVERYTHING is out of the house. 

Ugh, my very first tenant dumped spaghetti down the drain and gave me the big ol' Puss in Boots eyes, said she would NEVER do that. Uh huh. Someone else must have snuck in here and cooked dinner.

My most recent tenant poured a bunch of grease down the drain and guess what? It clogged. Same big innocent eyes - no, I didn't do that! *sigh*