All Forum Posts by: Mark F.

I'm a house hacker in Bergen. I recommend Jonathan Greenes zoom meet ups. 

To answer your questions.... 

I picked Bergen due to its suburban feel, lowerish taxes and nice areas yet still close to NYC. I financed it with a VA loan. I did not have a mentor before I started looking but I found one once I did and hes awesome. I found him by dumb luck/persistence. My quick advice is be very very very patient. I've known people who have taken over a year to find a multi in Northern NJ. Keep learning.

Well I have a brand new digital meter courtesy of the water commission. Thanks for the explanation of the meter guys, I do appreciate it and I love to learn more than necessary. Honestly... I had a serious brain fart. I've seen a bunch of water meters down in Florida but all the ones I saw were by the sidewalk and not inside the home. Again, I feel extremely dumb as I even knew that was the water shut off. I had to use it the first week I moved in when I replaced all the rusted and almost broken toilet shut on/off valves. I'll clean up the excess water and mold. Thanks @Matt R and @JD Martin for the in depth explanation! And I opened the ball valve all the way after he left. 

Yeah I'm thinking replacing the meter and cleaning that area will solve it. The reason why I thought there would be a sump pump as just about every house I've looked at in my area has one. I moved to an area that has things I've never dealt with, basements. So a lot of this stuff is new to me and its been a learning curve for sure. 

No offense taken, where I grew up there were no sump pumps or gas fired appliances/boilers etc so I've been learning a ton from my realtor who's my mentor and RE investor himself. Funny you mention that as I started watching this old house and ask this old house and learned a lot so far. I know I still have a long ways to go but im learning quite a bit and I do have an okay foundation of knowledge. 

The last 15 years I only dealt with water heater and Central air units. No heating units, sump pumps or basements to contend with. 

I definitely cannot find one. Is the alternative just a direct connection to the sewer line? 

I just figured I did for a house in the NE. Obviously I could be wrong.  

Thanks for that info. It does seem to make a clicking noise but it could be its normal sound. I haven't lived here but 10 months and its the same sound but louder. Honestly I think it may be leaking, it is super old and I can see mold around it. I think it'll be best to just call the city and replace it. I found a tag which has so much black crap I can't read much other than saying CITY OF where I live. Ill call them tomorrow. 

Thanks so much guys. The black mold was on some sort of reflective material so it was very easy to clean (I looked up how to clean it on google). I'll call the town then the water commission and see what both have to say. I appreciate it!!! I feel like I know some but you learn every day. I wonder if I have to pay for this thing to be replaced. And I'm still trying to find my sump pump. My basement is finished out so I figured that's why its not so easy to find. I'll update this thread.

Anddddd I feel dumb. Yes, thats probably the water meter. It seems to be making more noise than usual. Should I contact the water company? 

Another picture, looks like that piece could be removed. I assume that's where the pit is, behind the drywall,

but im not sure. 

Hello BP,

I've noticed my sump pump is getting louder lately. I'm unfamiliar with maintenance on these as I didn't have them where I lived. I've never seen a set up like mine, it has what appears to be a pump then it runs to where I can't see anything. Any advice on how to access the area (not sure its even behind this wall) and how to quiet it or conduct maintenance. Thanks!