All Forum Posts by: Peter Sinclair
Peter Sinclair has started 2 posts and replied 65 times.
Post: Tenant Rights California: No Hot Water
- Duarte, CA
- Posts 65
- Votes 54
There may be a way around the 16 days. They respond same day for a gas leak.. is your gas “leaking”? Lol
Post: Outlets sparking, landlord will not fix.
- Duarte, CA
- Posts 65
- Votes 54
Refer her to this link:
- http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/landlordbook/catenant.pdf
Post: How are your tenants paying rent?
- Duarte, CA
- Posts 65
- Votes 54
Cozy.. tenants seem to like it. I also use them for the background and credit check.
Post: Analyze this duplex with me in
- Duarte, CA
- Posts 65
- Votes 54
Originally posted by @Christopher J Lemmon:
As an update, I decided to cancel this contract. Here is why: The property uses a septic system for sewage. I knew this going in, but I found out more about such systems from my inspector. The system was showing signs of age. The life expectance of septic systems according to my inspector is about 40-50 years. This duplex had an original system. The owner also owns another duplex across the street. That duplex's septic had just failed and he replaced it with unlicensed sloppy work. A previous buyer had backed out of a contract to buy both duplexes because of this.
I choose to offer only on the one where the septic had not broken down yet, but it was old.
As a due diligence, I decided to call around and see what it would cost me to replace the old system should it break down like the one across the street. The plumbers I talked to informed me that I would need to install two new tanks to be up to current codes. The tank installation was from $13,500-16,000 per tank. So that would leave me with a repair bill of, $27,000-$32,000. I felt that any potential benefit or profit from buying the duplex was out weighed by the risk if when that septic system would need replacing. I might pull in $5000 a year in profit, on it, and I would be looking at a huge downside risk on the septic. I decided to cut my losses at the cost of the inspection, thank the inspector for his advice and time, and move on.
Curious, does replacing the septic system with a new and up to code system increase the value of the property? If so, do you know how by how much?
Post: Newbie out of Gardena, CA (South Bay) !!
- Duarte, CA
- Posts 65
- Votes 54
Hi Courtney ,
Welcome, I think you’ll find a lot of helpful people here on BP.
Curious as to what led you into wanting to flip homes? Initially, for me it was all the TV shows that made it seem so simple, and the constant radio ads. After renovating two places so far.. I can tell you its a lot of work. I imagine house flipping would be ideal for a General Contractor.
Post: Anyone ever use the pre-assembled cabinets from Home Depot?
- Duarte, CA
- Posts 65
- Votes 54
Originally posted by @Johann Jells:
Originally posted by @Peter Sinclair:
You could also check some local cabinet places. I found a local guy who imports his stuff in from China, however, they’re not pre-assembled.
He won't assemble them for you for a fee? Most I've dealt with or priced will. I get my "rock bottom" cabs from a local lumber/Ben Moore/True Value store.
I’m sure if I asked they could probably work something out but since I was trying to save as much as I could, I just assembled them myself.
Post: new construction costs for apartment buildings in LA county
- Duarte, CA
- Posts 65
- Votes 54
Any updates on finding out the actual costs?
Post: Anyone ever use the pre-assembled cabinets from Home Depot?
- Duarte, CA
- Posts 65
- Votes 54
You could also check some local cabinet places. I found a local guy who imports his stuff in from China, however, they’re not pre-assembled. Its better quality and less expensive.
Post: Newbie looking for LA investors
- Duarte, CA
- Posts 65
- Votes 54
I’m in the LA area, closer to Pasadena.
I remember being in the prep phase for about a year before pulling the trigger. I scoured these forums, for all kinds of info (which helped a lot) but the best experience came from actually just getting it done and making mistakes lol
Feel free to PM me. My wife and I do buy and hold as well. Here’s a link to our latest purchase in East LA.
This is our first duplex in Boyle Heights:
Before:
After:
Post: Anyone ever use the pre-assembled cabinets from Home Depot?
- Duarte, CA
- Posts 65
- Votes 54
Ive used the cabinets before. I would suggest adding in some extra bracing, especially for the sink cabinet.
Lowe’s has some nice looking Shaker cabinetry, and if you find that 20% off coupon it works even better.
If I remember correctly all these cabinets only costs me $500.
Also, if you have them delivered.. be sure to inspect each one.