All Forum Posts by: Marie S.

@Steve Olafson 

Do you know if Toktumi will port a toll free number?

I've given my tenants a direct line to call me in the event of an emergency. For all other issues and concerns, I have an answering service to answer tenants calls. The call is toll free so there's no cost to the tenant. Lately, one of my tenants isn't using the service at all. I asked why. The answer made so pissed that I stood in silence for a good 20 seconds.

"I didn't think they would contact you directly."

I don't know if it was the answer or the attitude that pissed me off. Once I gathered my emotions into a little ball. I explained the importance of using the number that I highlighted on both the lease and the tenant handbook when they moved in. In the event I'm out of town or sick, the message is relayed to the people I hired to handle the different issues.

The tenant walks away and then comes back with a list of demands. One of which is turn the water heater down, when the complaint the month before was turn it up. There's literally 2 notches difference on the tank from the month before. I pride myself in being a responsible landlord. I check fire extinguishers. I test smoke/co2 alarms. I make updates that exceed the market standard. Something about this exchange of words unnerved me. I mean this is  a C- neighborhood while my property has B+ finishings. I understand wanting a washer and dryer. Really I do. But at $475 a month, you can walk 100 yards to the corner Laundromat. But I digress...

I'm kind of stuck on this one. If my tenant is not using the proper means of notification that is spelled out in the lease, technically it's a violation of lease terms, correct? I hate to sound petty, but my time is just as valuable as the money I spend to have people answer phones. How would this notice look? Should I just run with the verbal explanation I gave her in hopes that it made an impact?

How have you dealt with passive aggressive demanding tenants?

@Will Barnard 

 Give us an update! We're all hoping for the best.

Congrats!

@Shawn Mcenteer 

stole the words from my brain. You've completed the hard part! Screw bird-dogging. You may want to partner with another wholesaler and do a 60/40 split until you're comfortable with the process from beginning to end.

Define very old. I have a building that is over 100 years old and I cringed at the thought of what the floors would look like when I pulled up carpet. Use paint as a last resort. Sanding and refinishing works wonders.

Thanks everyone.

@Jay Hinrichs I'm glad you shared your experience. I'm feeling a bit more confident. I've flipped through these books to the point I already know the quiz answers and class doesn't start for weeks.I think the class text is written at maybe the 8th grade level. I've taken some practice quizzes in the book that are about 8-12 questions on average. If the questions on the test anything like these questions, I should be fine.

The tenants are a resource. When you walk through ask them questions about the place. What are some nagging issues that they would like fixed? Would they be willing to stay through a rent increase to cover the costs of renovation ? How much te is left on their current lease? What are the neighbors like ?

Also, the rental deposits should be transferred to you at the sale. That is the tenants' money not the sellers.

I'm sorry. The only way I'd pay someone  $30k to show me anything is if they guaranteed me a 100% return on my investment. Realistically, how much time  can this one person devote to your project? This is one of the biggest downfall of people diving into flipping. Flipping is not a "spare time" type of venture. There's so many things that's wrong with this concept.

@Curt Davis Thanks. It's good to know that I'm not being unreasonable.

@Chris Bounds I'm sure that I'll probably feel the same way when it's all over.

 @Aaron Montague Thanks! I've already started going through the course material. It seems like I won't need to cram. Just skimming the subtitles, it seems like a few areas are definitely a snooze. Overall, it seems to be sticking so I'm excited. Class hasn't officially started, so I'm ahead of the game.