All Forum Posts by: Account Closed

If the area is easily graded, I would consider putting in some basic landscaping to supplement and disguise a water relief route.  Adds some astetic value along with some functional benefit...as well as your piece of mind when the big rain comes.  

I saw a paid subscription at an investor meeting a month ago that used MLS data and it looked very slick at about $80/month. Otherwise the MLS if you have access. PM me and I'll get you the contact name for the subscription.

I have used Allure in the past and gotten away from it.  I had used it initially due to the water resistent characteristics and ease of installation.  This may be a newer version of what I used to install as I've not kept track of the product recently.  Your house appeared to warrant a higher cost flooring than most of my units.

One issue to be aware of if the product is still an adhesive glue backed design...it can be subject to movement more than the locking laminate.  Minor cracks in the planks would appear in some installations. In the Midwest we have seasonal variation in temperature that was apparently causing some movement.  It was not a major problem, but was somewhat annoying.  Also I found other competing products were more cost competitive and easier to install according to the crews.  I've switched to a wood based laminate that holds up nicely.  I use a no glue sheet vinyl for kitchens and bath areas.  It's very low cost material and labor to install.

Off the limited info given, seems a bit pricey. If you want to PM the area and or address, I'll give you my take. I know prices are going up here and finding good ones at low prices is getting difficult, so it could be warranted. Seems like supply on the MLS is dry ing up a bit this year. I just closed a sale to an owner occupant buyer on one that was in that price range last week. It sold pretty quick after a minor price drop. May fit for you if this is a great area and you have a conservative strategy.

@JPaul Mills may have hit the nail on the head!  I've tried mailing and had very limited success and wasted alot of stamps.  Face to face may be the best tacticn particularly on a nice day when folks are outside.  Don't forget the neighbors as another source of information.  It's common to have one there that is watching you anyway.  They may enjoy talking to you and you may learn a great deal from the local "Gladis Kravitz" (if you ever watched Bewitched).

Are you looking for completely rehabbed units or one to work on yourself?  Most realtors don't get their hands dirty with these properties unless they are pretty aggressive for business has been my experience.  The commission on these is not very high typically.  There may be some that specialize in it and you would want that kind of person.  You could send out an email to several Brokers and let them know your intentions.  I would look for a realor that has been feeding the large funds that bought so much up over the last several years.  There must be a handful of them that have the pulse of the lower end market.  I would judge their capability based on closed deals and responsiveness to a smaller buyer.   

I shoot to avoid any distraction over personal property.  It was great to have it in place to show a nice house off.  I would include it in with the house to avoid moving and damaging it as well.  If they don't want it...move it.  The customer being happy is most important.

My concern is similar to @Account Closed .  It reminds me of the infamous seat belt law in our state.  They had a well intended law for our own good...initially it was not meant to be intrusive and a cause for pulling you over.  Now they can and do pull you over and put you in their system over their seemingly harmless well intended law.   

I'm all for landlords keeping up their properties and support that myself.  If the health department calls, we jump and correct immediately.  If we are complicating the tenant screening process, that will be a set back.

I've worn seat belts for years by choice not legislation. I don't want the government intruding on my business.  These incremental intrusions can and will add up and cost time and money.  The cost will eventually  be passed on to the tenants via higher rents.  

Landlords seem to love them or hate them from what I've seen. I've walked both sides of the spectrum and come back to love them at this point. Managing the turnover is the primary Key. Location and a good house always help, but the duplex can likely yield a higher return over SFH. It's tough to argue that the turnover isn't higher on duplexes, as it is most likely. I've had the occasional call about loud music etc....but I've also seen (with my own eyes) two tenants become great neighbors and attend the neighborhood block party pitch in together with casserole dish in hand. It was the same duplex for both stories!

@Ali Boone puts it very well......I've found real estate to be a business with so many options that people struggle to define themselves and draw the lines. Each person needs to figure out how much time, energy, capital and talent they can bring to the table. Once you size that up, determine the REI strategy that meets your level of those resources.

At the risk of dating myself, I find real estate to be much like the guy on the Ed Sullivan show back in the sixties....he would spin about 22 plates on sticks and run between them to keep each one spinning.  If you don't like broken plates...you won't like rehab and rental management.  One friend of mine recently jumped back in the business and knows how to "spin plates" and has built up to 38 rehabbed properties.  He works long hours like me!  He looked a bit haggered for a year or two...but smiles all the way to the bank currently.  We have breakfast each Saturday and compare war stories....but now are starting to debate the retirement strategies more.  Rehab certainly pays to build equity but is not for the faint at heart.  Good luck!