All Forum Posts by: Max James

Honestly, I think everything can be duplicated in an Excel model that you can create.  If you are an advanced Excel user, you should be able to duplicate everything for the most part that Appfolio, quickbooks, and all the other software out there can do.  

Obviously you can't market your rental with Excel, but that is what the free websites are there for.

What do you want to use a PM software for in the first place?

@Dan H. and @Craig H. do you know how much they typically charge?

I searched Next Door and Angie's List in Cincinnati and got probably 10-15 different quotes from lawn care specialists.  They all wanted to charge in the $40-$50 range to cut a yard that takes me 25 minutes... I have been taking care of the yards this year, but it's for sure not the best use of my time.

I am considering including it in my lease for the small MF's that one of the tenants is required to cut the grass. You guys ever look into that option? On SFR's, that makes sense to have the tenant take care of the lawn, will be a bit more difficult on multi-fams, but seems doable.

Great advice everyone, much thanks.  As much as it makes sense to not hire the tenant to cut the grass, I still think it can work.  I'll still head to the NextDoor app and see if I can hire a neighbor kid to cut it first.  Paying $50 to have someone cut the grass 25x a year, paying $1,250/year for just the grass seems way too high.  There has to be a smarter way to take care of the lawn maintenance.  I account for $200/month of my income being set aside for routine maintenance, but I'd love to not put half of that towards grass cutting.

@Account Closed great advice.  Thanks for pointing me in the right direction of where to look next.  

I think so many landlords just keep a lawn mower at their building and then just say "Hey George, go cut the grass for me and I'll pay you $10 a cut."  Which sounds good in theory, but if something were to go wrong, I'd have to imagine you're putting yourself at a lot of risk.

Does anyone out there have one of their tenants in a non-single family building cut the grass?  Seems pretty basic to just provide a lawn mower and pay the tenant to take care of the grass.  However, isn't it risky to provide the lawn mower for the tenant if the tenant were to get hurt?

I am thinking I will do this by buying a lawn mower and drafting a lease that is similar to a Rental Equipment contract.  Which will state they are responsible for up keep of the equipment.  Still seems like it could be risky.

I'm basically trying to think of ways to eliminate cutting the grass myself and also eliminate having to use a company who will charge $50/cut.

I am currently under contract on this four family for a fantastic price.  The only negative aspect of the entire building is with these sagging lintels on a load bearing wall at the rear of the building.  This is not the greatest picture, but should give you an idea of what is going on.  

Has anyone ever had this happen to one of their homes or ever bought a home with this type of issue?  What was your solution?

Any input would be much appreciated.  Thanks.

I would have to agree with the drone photography being the next norm.  You definitely see this a lot in higher end properties, but I think it says a lot if you have drone footage on lower end property as well.  

As far as rentals, if you had drone pictures and/or footage, I think it might say something to the renters that you as a landlord care about your property, are in touch with new technology, and care about your image/brand.  

I'm waiting for augmented reality and virtual reality to take over the real estate industry too... Can you imagine having prospective clients put on their VR headset and take a virtual tour of your rental from their living room?  We may never have to be present or hire a leasing agent for a showing in the future.  Or at least reduce a significant amount of showings.  

Or for flips/regular purchases too... 

Perfect, thanks a lot guys, this is super helpful.

Does anyone have a solid connection to a photographer in Cincinnati who can take professional level photos of a rental and spruce them up in Photoshop?  

How much does this typically cost?

Thanks in advance.

I've heard of a lot of properties not appraising recently here in Cinci.  How far off was the appraisal?  What part of town?

do they get to drive the rvs wherever they want along with park on your land?