All Forum Posts by: Eric Gutierrez

I'd sell it to her as is way before I'd consider letting her customize

i made the switch maybe 8 months ago on one property and have them on 6 units noe.  I'm happy.  I really like the master key system.  A few of the locksets are still somewhat stiff opening but that's on the doors that i don't think get used as much so I believe they are still wearing in a bit.  I'm planning to keep going with them.

I don't think moving the windows around on the front is worth it in what you are showing in your mock ups.  I agree with some of the other points of making the entrance look more like an entrance, but save the money on re arranging the windows on the front of the house and use that money on the back of the house if it has a good view.  People are buying a lake house, the 1st pic in the listing photos should be the view of the front of the house from the lake, or the view of the lake.  I just don't see a dramatic enough improvement on the moving of the windows on the front.  I think one time adding/enlarging windows pays of the most is when its a lake home or a home with a view

I would be wary of the home depot quote.  Typically they are quoting the most basic swap out and will charge you for anything incremental.  Depending on the age of the old heater and your local regs you may need to update the venting.

Twofold I prefer not having tenants install units and pull them out each year and I do think it helps attract slightly better tenants.

Hello,

I have a couple properties that have boilers so adding AC is a bit tricky.  I'm not a huge fan of window units for security reasons & I commonly see window units installed incorrectly so they wont drain the condensation out well.  I've even seen people set a window AC on a kitchen table.  

Anyways, I've gotten a couple estimates on mini splits and while I love the idea of them they are $$$.  I'm trying to think through various ways of getting AC into the units (even if it isn't an ideal setup.)  I'm contemplating either putting in a mini split with 1 head rather than multiple or possibly just putting through the wall AC units in the living room/dining room areas where it would help the bedrooms out.  I realize neither of these will be an ideal solution.  Anyone installed or had installed through the wall units?  What did they cost?  Do they actually last?

Totally agree with @Mike Dymski refinish them

Paint, refinishing floors and mild updates to the bathrooms and kitchens are where I would start.  Most of our properties are near the UofM and cater to college kids and having nicer places definitely gets you better tenants and better rent.  

Definitely don't go and rip out old hardwoods just to put new back in.  I also would much rather have refinished 100 year old hardwoods rather than laminate.  

I always love getting referrals from people on here if you guys have any good painters or hardwood guys I'd love to get some good references.  My fiance and I have been doing the hardwoods in the other places we own and we are closing on a ne duplex in a couple weeks and I'm thinking we'd rather hire the hardwood refinishing this time.

Just curious if you ended up moving forward with the project? 

What area of minne is it in?

 I'll also echo what everyone else said you 100% need to permit this in minneapolis.  

If you got a 50k house in minneapolis there is no way itd pass city inspection.  I don't think you can even find houses that cheap in N minne currently.  I think in either rural or urban settings playing in the cheapest price bracket is going to have challenges