All Forum Posts by: Jeff Keller

@Yesenia Morales ... Most local contractors are very busy. Be certain you know the remodeling/repair cost. When the contractors are busy, they charge more.

You need to find comparable sales for homes in comparable condition and see if it makes sense for you. If she wants out quick she might be happy selling at the low end of the comparable properties.

You'll be taking the risk on how much it will cost to fix it and how much it will sell for after it is fixed. Risk is worth money.

@Kendra Penski ... I haven't dealt with a large number of contractors but generally they prefer to not put their own money in. They may take their earnings as profit from the sale but materials have to be paid for by the owner. Of course it depends on how busy the local contractors are.

@Justin Coulson ... I would bet that there have been many real estate agents sending them letters telling them they have buyers ready to buy their house.

I would recommend being open and sincere. Tell them you remodel homes and want to buy their home so you can make money on the remodel.

@Jesse Kindra ... I don't know about your potential vendor but some bath tub refinishing can be easily stained. Some chemicals react with the finish and turn it yellow/brown. Generally the surface isn't as hard and has to be cleaned using non-scratch cleaning materials.

@Matt D. ... Many Silicon Valley cities have restrictions making it harder for landowners to convert current mobile home parks to other uses. Mobile homes are treated differently than permanent homes. 

You should talk to the mobile home park where you intend to put your home if you're looking at a mobile home.

Locally there is a company building modular homes which look like conventional homes and which are treated the same as any other single family home. I believe the company headquarters is in southern CA.

@William Brown ... Some condo complexes have limits on how many of the units can be rented out. Be sure to verify that you'll be able to rent it out.

@Jerry Ellis ... in Silicon Valley, properties with problems drop in price quicker and recover slower when there is a change in the economy. When the real estate market is strong, fixing up may only break even.

Different price ranges respond differently. Try to see if there is an advantage to mid range or lower range homes.

@Steve Rozenberg ... in Silicon Valley if you look at actual sales price vs. list price you can get a pretty good indication that the market is changing or perhaps has changed. We plot that for our cities.

Jobs and the economy are the main driving force. If people are concerned about their jobs, they don't buy. Try to judge the feelings of people in the area.

@Teresa Knepper  ... pet food can often attract rodents. A fat overfed cat may be more problem than solution.

We have more of a problem with rats than with mice. The city will (or at least used to) come out and put bait outside. I've read mixed reviews about the electric shock traps. It probably comes down to how well they are installed and maintained. It eliminates the problem of the rodent dying where it can't be removed or poisoning an animal that eats it.

@Chris Bingham  ... many areas in Silicon Valley require that tenants be offered a year lease. I don't know of anyone having tiered pricing. Be certain to check if your city has any regulations.

If a tenant breaks a lease there is a limit to how much they can be penalized. The general trend seems to be that the landlord has to show he tried to lease the property but couldn't.

You don't have to offer a month to month lease but realistically not giving your tenants that option could force you to find new tenants.