All Forum Posts by: Mike Baker

So I've read through a lot of the land trust info and find myself still a little muddled about it.

So here's my question.

My wife's parents own their house outright so we are trying to figure out whether or not to suggest a land trust to avoid the inheritance tax issues, and to avoid having to buy the house from the estate as they are in their 70's now, and my wife is an only child.

Is this a good idea or a waste of time.

All of my research has suggested both so anyone with some insight would be very welcome.

Thanks in advance. 

hopefully this helps

https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/6715/blog_post...

Good luck.

Has anyone used "Cozy" for their rent collection and such?

If so, what's your opinion?

your friend needs to find another place to live. The landlord is obviously more concerned about his bottom line. Guys like that are what "slum lords" are made of.

Lots of great input here.

I use pex quite often, but like @Sam Ball said, its always a good idea to do your terminations (where your pipe comes through cabinets and such) in copper. people have a tendency to shove as much stuff under those cabinets as possible and the copper will take the beating better.

Also, don't be cheap! I have fixed more burst pex lines then I can count. Yes they are a lot less likely to burst in freezing conditions, but that doesn't make them bulletproof. The Quality of your pex can make an enormous difference.

I use Uponor quite often. the rings are designed with a "memory". In other words, you slip the ring on and expand both the ring and the pipe. Then the ring attempts to compress back to its original shape. Thus the ring spends its entire time compressing that joint. higher quality pex, and way less likely to push off if something happens.

For those of you that don't like pex, and prefer copper. Check out Pro press fittings.

Welcome Luke!

I would suggest getting a PRO account.

It has helped my wife and I take things to the next level and stay there.

Good luck!

I can't imagine what a unit would look like if the renter supplied the appliances. We provide the appliances except the washer and dryer. That way I know the appliances are not a fire hazard. I worry about a renter with a good rental history being to cheap to put anything in but his grandmas avocado green range, cause it still "works".

Not providing appliances in my area would also be a bad plan causing extended vacancies.

I'm curious if he hooked it up there because it was the easiest spot? 

It's not a big deal to hook it there, and everything will operate just fine. The reason you haven't come across the problem is that it's not a common problem. It happens sometimes and it's nothing to be alarmed about.

Your faucet also has to evacuate the standing water in the pipe before it gets to the water from the "hot point" of the pipe. That's why it's cool for a second and then hot and then cool again. 

You could have him move it, but it won't affect anything negatively if you leave it there either.

So in order to attach new pipe to old cast you typically use a snap tool. A snap tool is a large cutting tool that wraps around the old pipe and ratchets down until the pipe "snaps" and you get a clean line on the pipe to attach to. In some older cast it is possible to get a hairline crack and then for the pipe to begin to fracture further down. Doesn't happen after but it can happen. Cast iron pipe is old, and unfortunately that's just the way it is.

I would talk to your plumber who did the work and pay for a camera down that pipe. Make sure they record it for you. If the line is clear you should be able to see any al all damage.

@Account Closed is right as well. Did you sell it with no warranties? The new owners had the option to camera the line when they first heard the house had new plumbing, connecting to old plumbing. If it has to be dug up, I would be more apt to offer to pay a portion then take full reponsibility. Who knows what they have done since they have been in there.

Lots and lots of opinions. 

So from the perspective of the plumber.

I know it sucks when we plumbers make a hole to get to a pipe, but please keep in mind, we are plumbers not sheetrockers. Trust me, you don't want us to fix the Sheetrock.

I have received a number of calls from both renters and owners. Policy at any place I have ever worked was to make sure the owner gave full permission to do the work, as renters had no authority to do so.

My point is this. Nine times out of ten, on drains especially, the tenant was the cause. Now I'm not picking on tenants, but I am calling an ace an ace. In the research I've done, the owner must be as specific as possible. When the tenant signs that agreement you know have something to come back on. If you don't have those things listed or considered in the lease you really have no recourse and should just pony up to the repair, their fault or not.

Remember, no one will treat your stuff like you will. So teach them how, and have them sign and initial that they know how. I believe most plumbing issues can be avoided with just a short conversation with your tenants in the beginning.