All Forum Posts by: Jimmy Watts

Thanks for the responses.  I asked because I was a little concerned about the legality of the construction as you said.

@Greg Scott I was always under the idea that a duplex implied one building divided into separate units.  Thanks for clarifying. Growing up we lived in a duplex that from the outside you wouldn't know it. It just looked like a humble little ranch.  To be honest I never gave that any thought because it was just were we lived. It wasn't until about 6 months ago that I really started thinking about duplexes and then remembered the one I grew up in. 

@Jay Helms I was wondering about potentially separating them. However since the layout is so odd with them kind of overlapping the way they do, it won't be worth it.  Like you said it will still appeal to other investors

I've been searching my area for potential rentals, primarily multiplexes. I came across one that was listed as a duplex or maybe it just said 2 units. Anyways here's the deal: it is one parcel with 2 houses on it. The (attached) garage for one house is directly behind the other home.  They both need some attention.  I haven't looked inside them yet but before I get too giddy I'm looking for some advice. 

They are 2 different houses with separate addresses attached to the same plot. It is listed for just a little bit less than what SFR's on that street are selling for. Since it's 2 for 1 then to a novice it sounds like a steal! Right?

If the numbers work I plan on keeping it indefinitely but eventually I may need to or want to sell it. Will this be a problem when that time comes?  

I'm planning on coming out this time, if you are still going to have it. Will the weather postpone this event or are you still going to have it regardeless?

Following this, can't wait to see what you come up with in 6months or so...

@Omar Ruiz Where are you taking your online ads courses? This sounds interesting and worth looking into weather or not one decides to go that route. I do think that eventually it will come to all online as you say. However from my REIA and all BP avenues I think that direct mail and the other old "tried and true" ways will still be here awhile. Interesting points, Good Luck.

@Jody Schnurrenberger yeah picking and choosing is going to be the hard part...  I thought some more about the thermostats.  I guess "programmable" thermostats aren't too expensive. What are they $40-75?  I was thinking of "smart" thermostats. My Nest was like $200-250 range when I bought it. 

Since smart homes are en vogue now I would assume some folks may say "Dang! This house has a Nest, and a door lock that I can open with my phone, plus a 55" TV.... I'll take it". But that is assuming everyone thinks like me and I have found that not too many people do. 

My shop teacher used to say "you know what happens when you assume?" I'm sure you've heard it, being in the military. So for the sake of this thread I'll defer back to the KISS theory.  

@Justin K. if I'm getting a new toilet seat I get the soft close. It leaves no reason to ever leave the seat/lid up. ( I had 4 sisters growing up and always got in trouble for that). Granted I won't replace it with every turnover cause it is a premium price for a toilet seat but one more of those little nice to have items. 

@Amy A. those curved "hotel type" shower curtain rods really make a standard tub/shower feel bigger. Once I put that in I felt claustrophobic in showers with regular straight rods. Good call on mentioning that. It turns out all these little things are adding up. =)

I have been thinking about a list just like this.  I plan to do flips and have been looking for what my niche will be.  I am really impressed with your list and hadn't even thought of some of those things.  I think the fire extinguisher is a great idea. I really think that the USB charging outlets are fantastic as well (I already considered it, now it will happen).  I can say that the LED bulbs are not expensive anymore.  I usually buy a whole box at a time from Lowes, I see them on sale a few times a year. I replaced all the bulbs in my rental this year at turnover.  That house has nightlight switches in the bath, I think it's a "nice to have" for other rentals. 

I have heard other people say to hang a big tv on the wall and have it convey to help sell houses.  They are stupid cheap now and some buyers will over look a lot because they feel like they are getting something extra in the deal.  I feel like throwing in a programmable thermostat would be a big selling point now but then I have to ask "is it too much?" That being said, the things that I want to do are probably overkill too but I like them. 

Some things that I have done in my home that I love and plan to use

1. Keypad lock on front door
2. Timer for exhaust vent in bathroom - https://www.amazon.com/Enerlites-1-5-10-15-20-30-Minutes-Countdown-Decorator/dp/B00IB0ZJXE/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1512928382&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=outlet+with+countdown+timer&psc=1

The timer just makes it so convenient to use the exhaust during or after a shower then you can walk away and the thing won't run all day. Plus it has a bright blue LED that stays on and is just bright enough to get around the loo in the dark.

That's not an exhaustive list of my to-do's, only something different to add to your list...

Keep on posting these kind of things, I love seeing what others are doing and what I can do to improve.

Welcome aboard!  What area were you D4D'ing?  I have searched a few of the cities around there and may be able help.  I use the GIS system on the city websites.  Hampton is the most user friendly one I've seen and Chesapeake's is pretty good too. 

I see ads for this same thing on Yahoo and Fox news as well as Facebook all the time.  It's not a secret but I think it would definitely take discipline .   If you have the willpower to take it slow and steady then I can see it working out.  I think you made the right decision by not taking the bait. As @Brent Coombs said, it's all on here for free anyways. 

I must be the only person unhappy with the new search. To clarify the only part I don't quite like is the people search. If I look for someone in my area, Elizabeth City, the results are anyone that ever mentioned "city". I did like the old layout of member search because I could see more results quickly without scrolling. Just to test out the new layout I tried searching for people that I know personally on BP and when they didn't show up in the first 8 pages I just had to search by their email. Maybe there is a more streamlined way to search? I want to reach out to the people in my area for a meetup but finding them has become more challenging. I also was searching for a "cpa in va" and the results again seemed to return anyone that mentioned "cpa" or VA as in veterans affairs? Is there perhaps a way to search me ever by their qualifications? Thanks in advance and keep up the rest of the good work. I hope I didn't come off sounding negative because I really do benefit from everything on the site.