All Forum Posts by: Kathleen Leary

Interesting! I am not familiar with this product, only the spray-can stuff, which I do not like at all. Having completely scraped several ceilings, I will keep this in mind next time I'm faced with damaged texture.

Thanks!

Around here, groups/schools/charities sell them as fund-raisers. They're like, $10 & have lots of coupons for area businesses. You might call around - since school just started, someone there may have a lead. Or perhaps the Chamber of Commerce or local scout group.

I think that's a nice welcome gift, especially of the new tenant isn't from the area. Gives them an incentive to get out & about.

Also consider that in the price range you're considering, (after the actual purchase), chances are there will be plenty of fix-up work to do. Even if it's just a coat of paint & cleaning the carpet, that all costs money. If there's a plumbing or electrical problem/upgrade, those guys don't work for free, either.

Make sure you have the cash to get the place fixed up to area market standards, make it safe/up to code & have cash on hand for the ongoing little problems & fixes that will ALWAYS happen.

I did. I own a trashed, REO mobile home on 20 acres. The county had assessed it when it was installed in 1993 & not since. They assumed it was maintained, etc. & sent out the tax bill to reflect that. About $830, if I remember right.

When the tax bill came, I paid the first half of the amount "under protest" & filed a form stating I objected to the amount (very easy) & was assigned a hearing date. I made up a printed presentation with photos showing the condition of the property (uninhabitable) during the tax year in question. I also included a map showing why part of the acreage was not usable for agricultural use, which was part of the previous assessment. That would only be important out here in the sticks, but hey, it's all money.

I went in, showed my pictures, explained the overall nastiness of the place & asked that it be reviewed. Took about 10 minutes. 

A couple of weeks later I got a revised tax bill for the second half of the year. Total for the year: about $460.

The entire process was very simple.  I'd say be polite, follow the guidelines to a "T" & be prepared - make it easy for the assessors! Granted, this is a little town, but to get your place re-evaluated is free & you may come out ahead.

If you're planning on taking a business deduction for your phone use come tax time, it would be easier for you & make the IRS much happier if you had a completely separate number. 

Depending on the number of calls you get, a pre-paid plan might be an option. Cheaper than an unlimited & easy to keep track of expenditures.

Gutters - you. The tenant has no control over what falls in there!

Filter - I would say that if you provide the appliance, you should be responsible for its upkeep. Yeah, a filter change is no big deal, but only if it gets done. Left up to tenants, it usually doesn't. Consider doing it yourself so you know it's properly maintained.

First: I have two dogs & multiple cats. I would never consider living without pets. 

Second: My rentals are "no pets of any kind." That includes rodents, fish, birds, snakes, ferrets, tarantulas, etc. as well as dogs & cats. (My lease has a rather extensive section detailing all prohibited fauna.) I am sick & tired of cleaning & replacing pee-soaked flooring ("Oh, no, precious Fifi would NEVER do that!"), filling holes in the yard & repairing destroyed woodwork. 

When you can purchase your own house, you can have all the pets you want. Until then, it's my way  . . . or your dog can go pee on someone else's carpet.

If she still owns the house where she previously lived, maybe you could investigate a double deal with both properties? Then sell off the SFR & let her continue to live in the multi.

Make sure you present your offer in terms of how you can help her in a difficult situation & be patient. She's had a lot of changes & it will most likely take some time for her to make such a major decision.

I've sanded three entire houses - every wall, cabinet & square inch of woodwork. 60-grit paper & both an orbital & straight sander. After the sandpaper gets worn down from the woodwork, it's just right for going over drywall.

Belt sanders are for floors & doors. Don't even think of trying to use one on a wall.

Around here (where it gets plenty hot in the summer, although it isn't Florida), low-rent 2/1 SFRs usually have window units. And they grow legs & walk off quite regularly. 

I put in central air, since I was replacing the furnace, anyway. In my area, it's an upgrade from the tenant's point of view & therefore worth a little more rent.

My problem with the window units (based on having to repair them!) is that regardless of how or who installs them, they often destroy the window frame. A lot of these places are old & have less-than-tip-top casings - the weight, condensation & shoving in/out will really tear up the window. 

Using a hotel-style unit would take care of that & might be more cost-effective in the long run, even with the higher up front outlay.