All Forum Posts by: Kara Jordan

Does anyone have any major red flags/safety things to look for when making sure a contractor does things correctly?? I just realized that our contractor didn’t put in a gfci outlet next to the sink in the bathroom he is renovating for us. This is making me wonder what other short cuts he may have made along the way that I need to look out for and have corrected. I’ve even wondered about getting a home inspection before paying just to get a professionals eyes on it for any safety issues!!!

This is our first time working with a contractor for a project like this so we are learning a LOT, so please be nice!

@Katherine Hite

I'm from Montgomery County also! I lived in Silver Spring, then in Olney! Loved Germantown thou. 

@Katherine Hite

Hey Kate! 

Are you from Maryland? Or did you just go there for college?? I'm from Maryland! I've been in Nashville for 10 years this year, so now this is home.  It's always fun to meet people from Maryland also!  

@Thomas S. That is what I keep going back to in my head. The thing is while I would prefer no pets, we have wondered if we will limit ourselves too much because the majority of people in the area the house is in have pets. So we have considered allowing pets anyways because of the area, which could be good if they truely are responsible and we could get more monthly rent with a pet fee. I really am just curious what their credit check looks like, and what their current and previous landloards say about them.

My husband and I are in the process of finding tenants for our first true investment property (second rental). I’ve had two inquiries but only one who has responded to my prescreening questions so far. In my ad I am clear about my requirements (3x rent, no pets, no smoking, credit score 650 or above...). In her response she said that she has an ESA and her roommate has a dog. She also said that since they are young they meet the income requirements but may not meet the credit criteria and asked if we accept co-signers. We have never done a co-signer before, so I’m torn if that would be a good idea or not. If we do I would want to verify income, and do a credit check but I’m not sure what income level we would look for. Wondering if we should pass since they technically don’t meet two of the criteria (I know can’t deny due to ESA). Or I’m wondering if the co-signer seems reliable if we should be flexible on the dog part and require a non-refundable pet deposit and pet rent. Or wondering if we should do twice the security deposit if not meeting credit criteria? Thanks everyone for any advice you have!!