All Forum Posts by: Debra R.

Thank you everyone for your opinions!  You've made the decision very easy!

As you can see from my previous post, I'm having some trouble getting used to my new laptop.  

I used to be able to type in the first few letters of a name to get it to come up in the reply, but that's not working now.  Not sure if it's the new laptop or if something on BP has changed.  

mark

We're remodeling a small apt that has a very pretty, original hardwood floor that was recently refinished in the living room.  There is also hardwood in the bedroom which hasn't been refinished in 20 + years.  If we chose to refinish it, it won't look as nice as the living room bc it has had some water damage.  The price to refinish it is $900.  If we carpet it the price is about $600.  

What do BPers think is more appealing to a renter?  Hardwood that has some spots and won't be the exact same color as the living room or carpet?  

My future ex husband and I will co-own our rental property after the divorce (very amicable).  We don't have any worries about getting along as business partners. We are looking for some advice though.  

What suggestions do BPer's have for how best to hold the title.  We are thinking that tenants in common may be best.  

The goal is for him to be able to take out a loan to buy a house using only his half of the property as collateral.  Anyone know if this is possible?  If so would the interest rates be higher than on a conventional loan?  

My goal is to be able to hold on to the property and not have to buy him out yet.  

Thanks in advance for all your wisdom!

Have you tried thermal backed curtains kept closed when the sun is shining?  If possible, open another window on another side (north is best) and use 2 fans. The one in the north window pulls air into the apt and the one in the east pulls air out of the apartment.  If AC is out of the question, what about a "swamp cooler"?  They may not be called that in India but they are available there.  

If you and your GF and your Mom are fairly happy with the current living arrangement then if it were me I would stay with Mom as long as possible even tho it's a bigger down payment.  Live frugally for the next 1 - 2 years and build up as big a rental prop portfolio as possible.  Be sure you have a plan for what your criteria are.  For example, duplexes in Homestead that are large enough for families and in a good school district and under XX amount.  The more specific you can be and stick to, the easier the learning curve is.  And the closer the properties are the easier they are to manage, repair and maintain. 

I'd go with the second option.  It covers all 3 bases- not perfectly but if the repaired furnaces can hold out a year that gives you some time to save up for their replacement.  Also I'm guessing the roof is the most expensive item and if so I'd definitely want to include it.  

Try posting in the Marketplace.  You have to go Pro, but it's worth it to find the loan you need. Also be more specific about what you're looking for.  I was surprised at how many people contacted me when I posted.  

Can you give us more info?  Where in SoCal?  What's the condition of the properties like? And also, pay to go pro on BP and post it in the marketplace with more detail.  I did and got more replies than I expected.  

Hi @Joe Bertolino,

Some info I should have added is that I'm in the East Bay (Alameda) and so don't know of any of the FB neighborhood groups.  I do advertise on CL  but don't get a lot of responses from SF.  And yet all 3 of my previous tenants worked in SF.  SF rents are very high right now which makes Alameda look good, but I don't think I'm hitting my target market in SF very well just thru CL and zillow.  I've even done CL ads where I check the box that says I'm in SF and then explain in the ad that I'm in Alameda and it's a relatively easy commute. 

I'd like to find a bulletin board for these companies that employees look at when they're thinking of moving.  If that exists. 

I'm also looking for other ideas to hit that target market without spending a lot of money.