All Forum Posts by: MarieChele Porter

Hey BP,

I am trying to get my first house hack rented and it's not going as I had hoped... I started marketing it Dec 31st have showed it to at least 25 different families, talked to tons of people who said they're interested, have over 450 leads that I have replied to not including phone calls, etc... I am trying to figure out if this is just winter being a slow time or me being priced too high... 

It is located in Fresno, CA which is a farm town so lots of low income individuals... I've received about 6 applicants all of whom I had to deny because of horrible credit and several things in collections... I am open to taking section 8 recipients but still trying to lower risk as much as possible... 

I guess what I'm trying to ask is how much of this is it being the slow season versus knowing that I'm over priced ?? With over 25 showing and most of them asking for applications but none of the qualified actually applying... I guess this is why I'm pointing to overpriced if there is so much interest in a property and so many showings with people expressing their interest to apply but none that actually qualify apply.

The pros... In law has separate entrance only common areas shared, large backyard, recently remolded very nice, granite countertops, laminate flooring, stainless steel appliances, large master with bath, convenient location...

The flaws... 3 bedrooms but one is really small only fitting a twin bed, It is on a very busy street, is in a C class area but borders an A class area, in law that I stay in is attached and carport fits cars only in a single line...

I have also been considering just hiring an agent to fill the vacancy and then self manage.. I just found out that was an option reading through forums... I wanted to do it myself for experience but now I'm feeling it might be too much of a headache... 

Ugggh idk what to do BP help...

@Rob Gillespie

Hi Rob! I'm re-reading some of the comments and realized it was you! Lol hope all is well!

@Ola Dantis

Yes, I think the part that really through me was them being here talking to us getting to know each other applying before leaving and then boom I find out on the criminal report... I'm like why didn't you tell me before like I wasn't going to find out or brush it off like ahh it's just a murder conviction... I think I wouldn't have been so thrown if one of them would have told me before I found out on my own... She told me the circumstances afterwards which best explained is murder by association bc he was involved but did not actually pull the trigger... Their credit is also in the 500's bc they don't really have any but there income qualifies them and section 8... I'll try my best to check out the story.. They're both working have 2 children that will be living here and will most likely be long term tenants as it's hard for them to move and my home is freshly remodeled... I guess I'm weighing pros and cons...

@Sean Kuhn

So he's actually been working for almost a year and I have the paystubs... I will of course verify employment but they are also on section 8... Prison is a rough place to be I get that...

@Adam Martin

The specifics are the thing... So his sister was killed by her boyfriend.. Him and his best friend went to beat the guy up... Best friend pulled the trigger but they were both charged with the crime for being involved... I mean it's not like he was a gang banger just in foolishness... I guess that's the thing and I understand what you're saying...

Hey y'all,

I know this post is going to seem so rookie to a lot of you but here we go I need your help... I had a potential tenant come by last week (alone) and fell in love with the property... It's not rented yet and she wanted to come by again with her husband and 2 children, which they did tonight... They were pretty much instant friends with me, my mom, and niece and applied before even leaving my house... 

Well low risk credit scores, no evictions, but wait spouse has a murder conviction?!!!... Oh boy... So it was explained to me what happened by the wife he was 17 and went to jail for 25 years and got out 2 years ago...

I'm not a type of person that won't give someone a shot... He left the state it happened when he got out started a new life has a job for nearly a year and is ready to be done with that part of his life...

My question is what type of liability could this open me up to if any? I read that in some states landlords have been sued for knowing about a violent past and something happening at the unit... This is a 2 unit current house hack but I won't be here forever... Am I opening myself up to potential liability issues in the future? Or is it okay to rent to someone that is done with their past and just wants to move on???? 

@Luis E Zarazua

Mine is a sfh with an in-law attached... I'm marketing it for rent now... My numbers penciled out but I'll have to see what they will really be once I start collecting rents...

Hey! I just purchased my first house hack in Fresno! Feel free to reach out!

@Corby Goade

Thank you. I hadn't heard of the fair housing screening guidelines yet so this will be a great resource! I am excited and happy to know there's a need I just began to feel a little overwhelmed because I only have 1 unit available... It's lit a fire under me once I'm ready to do it again!

@Nathan G.

Ahhh okay I understand. To be clear no one has actually applied yet I won't be accepting applications until after the showings... I did put the requirements and I have weeded some people out for things like only making 3x's rent but it clearly states it in the ad... I'll do what you said I'll start screening as applications come in and cut off showings once someone qualifies...