All Forum Posts by: Maria McCreless

@Dana Holland if there is a garbage disposal check that.  Its one thing that I have missed and realized that people had stopped it up, which caused major sink backups and plumbing cost.  One person shoved chicken bones down garbage disposal and sink drain and it was horrible.  Make sure that all the light bulbs are working - take extras with you or a flashlight to be save because if there is little light you will miss things that you will see later. 

Also, I agree with @Jim Shepard make sure about utilities. Ours automatically switches to us, if they request for it to be disconnected and we have gotten bills for people who schedule for shut off prior to moving out.

@Brian Barfoot What does your contract say exactly. Does it say if you're not notified then you can rent to another tenant or are there fines? 

@Michael Uden

In Florida, you get licensed, your broker submits to the state that you work for them, then you schedule with the Board of Realtors for that area, meet with them and pay all the fees, and then you have access to the MLS. From getting licensed, it took me about a week to a week and half to have access. So the fees may change per state but I had to pay $900 to be a member of the board which allowed access to MLS and then an additional $200 a year for MLS access which was charged to my broker and then taken from my 1st sale.

Honestly, I am agent and I have problems connecting with different agents/brokers.  Text works best. 

In my area, vinyl planks are used across the board in all of our rentals.  We put it in the common areas but keep carpet in bedrooms.  My maintenance staff installs for us, but other companies charge anywhere from $1-$2 a sq foot to install.  However, it is a very simple product to install and easy to work with.  My maintenance staff does not use glue down, but contractors I have hired to put it down when my staff couldn't do does use the glue down.  It does seem to hold better but its a pain when trying to get it up to reinstall new pieces.  For example: if you get one bad piece and try to pull it up to replace it, its hard to do if its glued down.  When its stuck down, you can easily remove that one piece and replace it.  So I prefer click, but click also has adhesive on the back so its not just supported by the edges that click-glue together.

Around the edges of it, you will put quarter around down, so the edges are secured by that which helps to keep it down. 

Our tenants of all income levels love it. Easy to keep clean, looks great, etc. 

Hi @Brandon Mendez! 

Welcome to BP! 

@Collin S.

When your writing the offer or having your agent write it, you can adjust the timeframe but I would say that in most case you have 15 days from contract date to obtain financing and 45 days from contract date for due diligence. Having preapproval will make your offer more appealing to the seller. Everything in a contract is negotiable.  You have this timeframe to get your earnest money deposit back or negotiate the deal if things are found during due diligence.

Hi all.  I am wondering if anyone would be willing to share their property management contract with me.  I want to ensure that I am not missing anything.  Also, if you have been involved in the launch of a property management company please share any advice.  Thank you for your help in advance.

In Florida, you need to know the math.  It really comes in handy for the legal description section.  Happy to help if you have specific questions. 

@Steve Rozenberg, I say hire an agent - if you can find one that understands what you need.  Eventually you're going to have to contact them to show you a property, so why not have them take some stuff off your plate.