All Forum Posts by: Mike Franco

crap. never thought about garnishing from tax refunds.

I have 2 judgments from over 10 years ago that I haven't collected on.

Still have their social security numbers.

How would you handle prospective renters who wanted to see your house in move-in condition while tenants are still living in it?

I think that's just not doable.

I have these weird prospects who want just that.
They won't apply until they see it cleaned. On top of that, they have to give 30 days notice to move out of their current place, and there's no way I'm holding a vacant house for 30 days. So they're just stalling themselves. But it's not like I can pick and choose, because the renters around here are just awful.

I always show my house when it's still occupied to minimize vacancy

You guys must have pristine paint jobs. No one has ever walked in and asked if you are going to paint it, even though you just painted it a few years ago?

I always do required maintenance- Scuff marks are erased, a few walls are painted or touched up. Others are washed. The paint is washable.

But these people think I should repaint the whole house. Touched up walls don't look as nice as fully painted walls. But they are passable.

these people seem to have x-ray vision, or are picky, or just have the habit of asking if the walls will be painted when they walk into any house.

I'm wondering if you guys have had people who have made similar comments about your paint and later on, trashed your walls after you've given them a fresh coat of paint.

Almost every tenant of mine has damaged/dirtied the wall in some way, so I'm suspicious of these prospective tenants who ask for freshly painted walls, who think my touch up paint is not enough.

maytag machines are pretty affordable and reliable.

I still don't provide washer and dryer because it's an extra thing to break, and bad tenants can steal them

I wouldn't mind that as long as it's coming out of their security deposit.

Rob K, you don't need a separate phone. That's what Google Voice is for. It acts as a forwarding number, and an answering machine, so you can screen all your calls, and see the number they are calling from. and it's free.

A lot of people ask if my rental will be painted. Some want to paint it their own tan color.

do you find that these people who ask for fresh walls are the same ones who end up trashing the walls?

i agree. find new tenants.

end of May should produce plenty of candidates

if it's just trim, you can often do it yourself.

12 years is just too long. Every 6 is better.

when paint starts to crack, then it's a huge pain to fix.

talk to them face to face, like you would to a pal.

I think it's easier to reason with kids face to face, and perhaps make them feel a little guilt.

Don't accuse them of bringing extra occupants. Assume it's a fact.
Their response will confirm whether they did actually move in illegal tenants.

Look her straight in the eye, be stern but neutral-
"I don't have a problem with you having your friends stay over, despite what the lease says, but they need to be extra quiet and mindful of the neighbors. The walls and floors are thin. It's only fair this way. "

This way, you hint that they are violating the lease, and you put the blame on the illegals, even though she knows she is equally guilty.

If it's the right opportunity, I would also offer them lease termination one month early.

I am in the same situation; 20 shown, 2 plan to apply. However, my unit is currently not vacant. It makes it more difficult to rent, and I've had my share of flakes. Also, many people email me through Zillow and Trulia, and when I reply, they don't reply back.

You can try to lower the price temporarily, but I doubt that will make a difference.

Right now is just not moving season yet. A lot of people move between June-August.