All Forum Posts by: Isaiah Williams

@Joe S.

I personally feel like LVT is the best all around choice, even in areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.

While it is very true LVT is not nearly as waterproof as ceramic tile, it is so much easier to replace and much cheaper. Ceramic might last longer as well, but I've had LVT in some of my properties for 5+ years and they have needed little to no replacement! So long as it is installed properly (ESPECIALLY in the bathroom and kitchen. Waterproofing is essential) they last quite a while and withstand the typical dad to day living of a tenant and their varius pets. If you ever fancy changing the floor, ripping up ceramic tile Is TERRIBLY painful process, and very hard to replace just one single portion. If I ever buy a property with ceramic tile, I usually would just put LVT over the existing floor instead of actually ripping up the ceramic tile.

@Alex Coke

While going over application, if you can try going out to wherever they currently live and drive past it to see the condition of the home. Is the lawn mowed? Trash in the yard? Broken blinds In the window? Does it looks like someone is trashing the building where they live? How the property they currently are living in is how your property will look within a few short months of them moving in so make sure it's something you are OK with!

@Xavier Brinkman

I have always gone with LVT and have never had issues! Just make sure 1.) There is a good moisture barrier underlayment and 2.) The job is done PROFESSIONALLY! You might get away with a centimeter or 2 of space between 2 planks in the living room or kitchen for example, but in a high moisture area like a bathroom, if some water gets under those floor boards it can be HELL! Most especially if the subfloor is wood! Make sure you get slightly thicker LVT I would say at least 6mm for a bathroom.

Tile works just as well just its harder to install, takes longer, and is more easily damaged if something cracks the tile. One unit I bought had ceramic tile In the bathroom. Nothing wrong with I left it as is. 6 months later a tenant dropped their bowling ball on the tile and cracked it into jagged pieces! Ending up just putting LVT over everything and covered up the tile and it was as good as new!

@Samuel Mallery I've used a home Warranty once and it actually worked out well in my favor. I bought a unit with a 22 year old furnace and the garage door opener was about as old. It also came with an old washer and dryer. Both were old and while everything worked, I had done my inspection and came to conclusion that all of these things would be going out relatively short. I bought the warranty and soon enough by that same winter everything went out! I only had to pay $65 for each appliance for the contractor that came out and repair/ replace everything! I got a brand new furnace and washer for about $50 a month for 7 months plus the $65, and without the warranty would have cost me easily thousands! In my opinion Warranties; as all things; have their place! Do you research and make sure there is a legitimate need for one before purchasing, as the vast majority of them that I looked at were scams or did not cover the things I needed covered!

I ended up using choice home Warranties if that helps!

@Andy X.

Very much depends on the numbers... less money in the deal of means a greater return but I don't want to overleverage myself. In this situation I might put 3% down if I'm 1.) Living in the property anyway or 2.) Going to be fixing up the home and after the repairs are done I can charge a rent that more than makes up for the much higher mortgage that would come with putting down only 3% than 20%.

@Xela Batchelder

Absolutely not! Property managers exist so that the owner doesn't have to deal with nonsense such as that! The owner made a rule and you are upholding that said rule. If they do not like it then that is tough! Do not bother the owner for something unless it 1.) Makes them more money or 2.) Keeps them from getting involved in a lawsuit!

@John Morgan hahaha that would be epic! If only I could get away with that at my job 🤣

@Cassidy OsgoodAre!

First and foremost get a hold of whomever is in Charge of the HOA in that area. Town homes (condos I'm assuming?) Can have very specific guidelines on what a home can look like outside of the home, and I believe inside as well. I've never invested in townhouses but I wouldn't want to do something I'm not actually allowed to do. That being said, I'm not sure how much financial sense it would make to install recessed shelving. Sure it might look nicer and you might be able to raise the rent slightly, but not by much. General rule is you should be able to recover your investment within about 2-4 years from the rental increase. If you can't Raise the rents I personally wouldn't bother with installing that shelving.

@Michelle Crochet

I live in Columbus OH and 100% of my homes are under $150k and were bought as original fixer uppers that I did a bit of minor work to get forced appreciation. On average my mortgages is about 60% of the actual rent including escrow, leaving behind 40% to pay for big ticket repairs, maintenance, security system, reinvestment, etc. Of course it does snow a lot out here... but I have a friend whom works as a home sales consultant in San Antonio! I could get you his information if you would like he might potentially have some information for you in that are!

@Mark S. How hard would it be to move a new tenant in? Depending on how easily this could be done, I would have have tenant sign a mutual early termination agreement and let him move out. Keep a portion of his deposit as an inconvenience fee and make sure the property is turn key spotless. So long as it is, have the home ready to be moved right back in within a day or 2. If this guy just moved in and already giving you problems like this, he will continue to be a headache for the entire length of the lease. If its an easy to fill unit, there are easier tenants out there to rent to without the headache. 3 plumbers! I can't believe that you are much better than I am! If the first plumber said there was no smell I would have contacted the tenant and told him there's no issue reported and to either get over it or get out with the above mentioned conditions.