All Forum Posts by: Gustavo Delgado

LOL! Who thought of this name, MOCO! Anyone ran this name by a Spanish speaker before approval? Same reason why the Chevy "NOVA" couldn't sell in latin America...

Look at go4rent.com They charge $1.95 transaction fee which is billed to the tenant (convenience fee) Only drawback is that it takes about 4-5 business days for your rent payment to hit your account. They are also based in the woodlands, so its local to you in Houston 

You don't need to provide fridge, washer or dryer. If other rentals in your area are providing them you may need to price yourself a bit lower to make your rental attractive. I would maybe provide a fridge, used one, you can get for cheap. Check Facebook marketplace for example. I would not provide a washer and dryer because those appliances are more likely to get mistreated and get damaged

technically no you can't do this for at least a year. But I've never heard of anyone from the lender coming and physically checking to see if your 'clothes and toothbrush' are actually there to confirm you living there. 

Is the noise mostly in the morning before school? if so, welcome to living in a multi-family situation. Maybe the 5y/o is acting like 5y/o would? This is tricky because instead of talking with your tenants about their performance as tenants( pay on time, maintain the property, in good condition,ect) you are inquiring about their parenting or lack there of. For all we know, the child may have some type of autism that makes him/her be difficult and throw tantrums. The last thing those parents may need is someone asking them to keep it down when I'm sure they are well aware.

you can't. Too many rules and laws you need to be familiar with and you will ruin your friendship when things hit a road bumps.  

@Obed Calixte hit a key point. What loan are you purchasing with? Owner occupied or investment loan? Read what your loan states about occupancy time before you can rent the property. I want to say they at least want one year occupancy before you make it a rental. Your  property taxes will be higher since it won't be your primary residence and your INSURANCE will be much higher too, since your policy would be a dwelling policy and not home owner policy.

new grass and mulch if you need. Power wash the front of the home at least. Don't spend on flowers too much because your tenant will very likely  not take care of them. Make sure you add on your lease that tenant is responsible for lawn maintenance (cutting and watering) Summer heat in Houston is brutal and your new grass ( and investment) will be dead by fall.

I would check the market conditions and calculate your numbers. This is a business after all.

Maybe keep her on a month to month so you can increase accordingly later.

Rachel, you set your commission price. If you want to offer $10k to list and a commission % to a buyers agent you decided that. Look at the agents that have listings around your home. Call them to list your home and let them know what fee you will offer. Sure some are going to scoff at that so call the next one. If none take it, look for agents that do not have a listing in that area but surrounding an a lower price point. Present your terms again, I am sure you will find one that sees the value in having a listing like yours to break into that market.