All Forum Posts by: Maya Torres

@Heather Frusco Hi Heather. Here are my thoughts relating to your post. I agree that rent is still due. Period. But although I have a mortgage to cover, I also have to face the reality that there MAY be some challenges for SOME tenants to pay rent at this time. The entire world didn’t stop working but many have been laid off so it’s a very real reality for all LL’s. I don’t know what’s going to happen or what I’m going to be faced with come April. What I do know is that I’ve never had an issue with my tenants. They’re hardworking and have never missed a rent payment. Whatever it looks like, I’m choosing to be a landlord of compassion. So many other landlords won’t agree. They’ll think it’s stupid. They’ll say I don’t know how to run a business. That I will fail. They’ll have a lot of opinions that are of absolutely no value to me. To each is own. But here’s what I think about your list:

1. To say that tenants SHOULD have reserves is unrealistic. It doesn’t make them bad people or ill prepared if they don’t have reserves. Their circumstances may not allow them to have reserves. So many people work and live paycheck to paycheck and this comment makes you seem very out of touch with real working communities out there. To say that they are selectively not going to pay rent in hopes of rent forgiveness..comparing them to thieves..is wrong on so many levels. That’s exactly what they don’t need. To be laid off and then accused of being thieves by their landlord. That’s just great. And honestly, if you’re not screening for savings, don’t expect them to have it.

2. You’re right. There are options out there. One of those options is unemployment. Even if it’s not quite enough, I’m sure you can work it out with your tenants temporarily. But to say they can use a CC and pay the minimum till they can get back on their feet? Ok. Drown them in debt and ruin their credit so that they rent anywhere else. Not to mention, good luck getting payments from them in the future while they’re racking up interest on their credit cards. And credit cards come with their own payment plans? Lol. Yeah it’s called let me smack you upside the head with 27% interest every so often. Ok.

3. There’s only one person to blame for not being able to get a loan? The tenant whose living paycheck to paycheck trying to make ends meet whose life you know absolutely nothing about. Or maybe the tenant with a sick parent whose financials went to hell overnight. But you blame them anyway. Not cool.

4. I’m certain that in these times, a struggling laid off tenant would love to move to a more affordable place. But I’m sure you know that moving requires money. So maybe you can offer them cash for keys so they can actually do that. Just a thought instead of wondering why they choose to stick around. Or maybe it’s all so sudden and they’re just trying to figure out what their next move is. Something to think about.

You come off as the type of person who is oblivious to the fact that there are real struggling Americans out there. That if they’re living paycheck to paycheck, it’s their fault. If they don’t have savings, it’s their fault. But everyone’s circumstances are different. You don’t know people’s walks of life. From someone who grew up in a tiny 1 bedroom apartment with 7 people (a family of refugees), whose grandfather worked EXTREMELY hard to pay the bills without government assistance, paid taxes, but still lived paycheck to paycheck, I’m here to tell you that not everyone gets things handed to them on a silver platter. I’m not saying let people live rent free. I’m saying have some compassion. Figure out a way to move forward with your tenants without kicking them while they’re down. I’m with @Mary Mitchell. Have some compassion. It’s the least we can do for the creator of this universe whose even allowed you all that you have. It can all be lost in an instant.

@Blessing Okere Thank you @Blessing Okere. I responded to @Merritt S. but I don’t think my post was appropriate so it was deleted. Being that you are new, this platform is great for info. There are always people willing to help. But there are always gonna be the few who will insert very strong opinions or cross the line. Even when they’re trying to be helpful they don’t know how to go about it and that’s a people problem not a BP problem. But it’s easy to hide behind a profile and criticize someone else. Real Estate gives some people great big ego’s. Just be mindful. Welcome to the community!

@Angelo Mart Thanks. This post could actually use some humor.

@Sue K. There are some who gave me advice based on what I asked. Some of whom I agreed with and thanked. And then there are others like you who inserted too many opinions or started straying off topic. And it’s always about the delivery. Hence, you’re being taken advantage of. Making a comment like that when you have no idea what the scope or details of our relationship is but you want to assume I’m being taken advantage of. Poor delivery. It’s not just me. There are so many people in other forums with opinions they have no business giving. No matter what anyone posts, there’s always gonna be a Sue K. Just please. Stop.

@Wesley W. Not to mention..negative press? Lol. People can feel how they want it doesn’t define the industry or anyone in it. I suggest you not put too much weight on what the rest of the world thinks. I certainly don’t. I have morals and values and handle myself as such even in real estate. That’s what matters.

@Wesley W. Would you like to lecture me some more or are you done? I don’t have a PM reputation to maintain. That is not my business or profession. The fact that I’m helping out a friend is not going to disqualify me from buying more properties and continue investing for myself. But FYI, I’d be a great PM. More than I can say for most of them. I’m not concerned with how I make you feel about our industry. It’s irrelevant.

@Greg H. This doesn’t phase me. I asked about one thing and I get bombarded about a completely different thing. My business is my business. I appreciate it when people just give me the advice I’m looking for instead of straying to other stuff that is not concerning to anyone else which.

Sadly this happens a lot on BP. Have a good one.

@Sue K. I never once said he’s taking advantage of me. So I don’t know what opposite you’re talking about. The one drawback to this platform is people and their strong opinions that like to draw very strong assumptions Unfortunately, you fell into that category. Good luck.

@Joshua Mellor I hear you. My husband and I are definitely going to hold off on moving if things don’t get better in the near future so that’s definitely a valid concern.

@Mark Huneycutt Will do. Thanks for the unintentional new restaurant recommendation!