All Forum Posts by: Linda Gomez

@Will Barnard

See above post.  I didn't tag you correctly.

@Will Barnard

Thank you for pointing out that my post was not clear.  My first paragraph listed my true Will Not Buy and that is flow.  I can get a sense when flow isn't right and can't be fixed.

The rest of my post was explaining how we took problems that others listed as No Go's on their posts and turned them around.  I am sorry I got too wordy.  

I should know better than to type something up and post it immediately without reviewing it a few hours later.  Can I use the "not enough coffee yet" excuse?

No one has mentioned basic flow. We have gone into several homes that don't have a good, natural flow. You need to go through a bedroom to get to another one, a bedroom is off the kitchen, or the kitchen can't work even if you gut it. If I think it's wonky, someone else will too, either a tenant or for resale. If I wouldn't want to live in a house, another woman probably would not either. We have redone kitchens, created master baths out of hall baths, returned an illegal duplex back into a single-family home, so we aren't afraid of the basic changes. 

Because we have some experience under our belt, our last had some major water damage under the laundry area; there had been a leak there since the house was built in 1968. It damaged the main beam and several joists and we needed to take it down to subflooring behind it in the living/dining rooms. The builder had located the fridge next to the long run of cabinets to the left of the sink; it was on top do the kitchen register. I confess that we didn't catch that one before we purchased it, but since we had to change out the kitchen and dining room floors, it looks original to the house. We had to rebuild the soffit, fix the ceiling and walls, relocated plugs and switches, but we have built a team now and are not afraid of odder houses. 

Another example was on a foreclosure where the kitchen tile had all cracked, although a newer house. I could see the possibilities, the foundation checked out. They asked more earnest money $5000, it was half the retail price, and in a great neighborhood. Turns out, the tile was installed over a vinyl floor...no backer board! It scared away so many people at its initial viewings...saved for us!

A guy next to one of our rentals had 29 rentals and only did Section 8.  He liked that rent check coming in on time.  He would screen his tenants and only choose those who were immaculate housekeepers.  He found some excuse to show up on their doorstep "for more information" to check out their housekeeping. 

Since then, we have had 2.  One came with decent references; the other had been in the same public housing apartment for 7 years...and she got back her entire deposit!  

I still require a full security deposit and require them to furnish their own appliances.  If there's a will, there's a way.

When I checked with Section 8, they allow 5 - 7 nights/month for a "visitor".  One lady who applied showed that she owned 2 vehicles.  When I asked about a male visitor, she exclaimed that she was NOT going to deny her baby's daddy access.  2 cars and a king-sized bed?  Hmmm. I knew that second car was for him so that I couldn't drive by and know she had a visitor.  What I have told people is that I'm not comfortable with that extra male or to accept what S8 approves for them and them pay extra on the side.  My contract prohibits it.

I think S8 is great for those women who want to pull themselves out of poverty.  When they go to school or work, they are trying to better themselves.  They are the ones who I like to help.

I sometimes come down $50/month so they can qualify.

My humidifier that is connected to my furnace knocks for some reason.  It is only in the winter. I'm used to it but it bothers dh at times.

I have 2 questions. 

1.  Someone has requested to be a colleague.  What does that mean?  When should or shouldn't you become a colleague?

2.  I am getting a TON of email in my Inbox.  Can I set Bigger Pockets to be a HomePage and check it on my terms? How do the rest of you deal with it?  I know I checked quite a few interests.  

Sign me:  Overwhelmed!!!!

We are a couple with SFH rentals in High Point and Davidson County area. I, Linda, discovered BP when looking for accounting advice. We have expanded our portfolio and the paperwork is beginning to get overwhelming. We have done student rentals, Section 8, and individual leases. We had a mentor, but when he and his wife split, we stayed friends with the wife and have not been in contact with him since. We have mostly purchased fixers, but have recently purchased a few that were more move-in ready. (And a little disappointed by the lack of quality on the part of the flippers.) I am glad for these forums. I'm sure my questions have already been answered. I may have something to offer others yet still have a lot to learn. I'm jumping in!