All Forum Posts by: Cheryl C.

I've been investing in Northern Virginia for about 30 years. I am mainly buy and hold. I certainly agree with the idea of buying close to Metro lines. I don't have a problem with condos and have picked up 10 or 12 since late 2008. These are lower end - up to a max of 200K (but have since gone up very nicely). I bought at 30-60% of peak prices (of, not off). You really should buy before the stations open and also take a look at the Master Plan for the area around the new station. You may get a windfall from a buyout by a developer if high density is planned. I'm in Reston, but there is very high demand in Arlington (the Ballston corridor). The numbers there just don't work for me. I know nothing about downtown DC.

Joe, have you had this experience? I have. Clean carpet 3x, paint, clean ducts AND still have strong odor. I just don't want to run afoul of anything. I have a place now and have a very good app., but I do think it akin to a heavy smoker.

I think this is worse than smoking. Prejudice?

One thing to watch out for pre-rental: prospective tenants that complain about previous LL. Red flag.

I contacted Allstate because my HWH " went" over the weekend, flooding the downstairs unit. I was surprised that Allstate said that I had no liability for the damage (significant) downstairs. Then they looked at my unit for the mold damage/issue and denied coverage due to my lack of inspection. I told the upstairs guy (slow leak on HWH) to contact his agent (Allstate - of all companies!) and my tenant to contact his insurer. The smell of mold was pretty overwhelming when I walked into the unit and he is required to report damage/maintenance/repair issues to me immediately. An indoor closet adjacent to the utility closet is covered with mold. Tenant claims that he hasn't opened that door for 3 yrs.

update - my tenant just e-mailed that the floor of the upstairs utility closet just collapsed into my utility closet. The fun never stops!

Allstate just denied a claim stating lack of due diligence/protection of my property due to insufficent inspection on my part. The adjuster told me that I should inspect my rentals every month or two! Is he crazy? It turns out that the damage (water leak) came from the upstairs unit. My utility closet is located on a balcony and the hvac filter is accessed from inside the unit. In other words, I doubt it would be checked unless the hwh or hvac weren't working. The water was a slow leak from the unit above which caused a mold issue in my unit.

So, anyway, what is your inspection schedule and do you inspect outside utility closets if everything is working?

Thanks Sam. I plan to get a second opinion on the mold. The water remediation guy said that they found spores all over the place.

My biggest concern is the damage to the unit below me. Anyone have experience with an insurance company claiming a LL was "negligent" in not inspecting a HWH for rust?

Hello everyone. I had a HWH blow out over the weekend and cause significant damage to the unit below mine. Now for the bad news. It turns out that my tenant of 11yrs is a hoarder. The plumber would not enter until the police and fire dept cleared the unit (for dead bodies or whatever). Once in, the plumber could barely reach the HWH to shut of the water and drain it.

It turns out that there is a serious mold problem (my tenant was only gone a few days), most likely from prior leaks. Nobody can enter until a full mold remediation is completed. In order to do that, everything has to be removed from the unit and it is packed with crap. Then even the carpets have to go. They found mold spores all over the place.

I am getting the feeling that Allstate is not on my side (or I'm not in good hands or whatever). They are asking pointed questions about the age of the HWH, when it was last serviced, etc. I have never had a repair request from this tenant. I now find out how bad the condition is and that, somehow, black mold is growing in the back of his bedroom closet - unrelated to the HWH. I was also told that the HWH was very rusty and collapsed on itself.

I'm concerned about a claim denial/dispute/fight with Allstate. I haven't been inspecting this property. I viewed his prior apt where he had lived 5 yrs and all was fine. Any advice? I plan to give my tenant a notice to vacate under my health and safety clause.

I've got a house with nice brick pavers on the driveway. What product/method do you recommend to remove the stains w/o harming the brick? Thanks!

John Thedford, this is an annual. I have only one seasonal - in Naples! (oops - forgot the two on Cape Cod). Guess what? After I had already negotiated a renewal in Naples for next season (21K for 3 months), the Board informed me that my tenant was not welcome back - too many children/grand-children visiting. Well, hello! Why didn't the onsite manager or a board member call me if there were issues? I would have handled them immediately. I can't wait to get out of that place. I may see you in Naples this winter. I don't think I'll rent it anymore.