All Forum Posts by: Ben Skove

I have found social media to be very useful when evaluating potential tenant behavior. You'd be surprised (well, perhaps just a little) what people will post about on Facebook for all the world to see.

Hi Adam,

You'll want to know what your competitors are doing and what level of finish they have. You'll get better tenants if you can offer something a little bit better at the same price point - just don't overimprove, as you won't see that money back.

I agree with Aaron - the large orbital sanders are much easier to use and much harder to do unintentional damage with. However, if you have deep scratches or need to be aggressive, they are awfully, awfully slow.

A rental property is a good place to learn this...it seems like most renters just like the shiny poly look, and aren't as concerned with the little dings you've left here and there on your learning curve. :)

Sandy Uhlmann I assume that you were using an oil-based polyurethane back then...the newer water-based ones don't smell fabulous, but they're much more pleasant to work with.

While there are two sides to any story, she seemed pretty convincing in her description, particularly given the circumstances. She did report it to the cops; according to her, they decided not to pursue it.

I met with an owner who's trying to sell her deceased parents' house. She had an interesting story regarding what appears to have been a wholesaler.

The gentleman had met with her, but didn't have the house under contract, nor did he have any agreements or understandings with her. He then broke into the house in order to show it to his buyers.

She was not amused.

Bryan H. That's certainly a concern - if I were to get feedback from potential tenants about that, I'd definitely take that into account.

Dawn A. I think you and Steve summed up my thoughts pretty succinctly. All my rentals get a timely maintenance guarantee from me in writing, and I would certainly put in an agreement in writing to install the unit when renting. It's the right thing to do.

Raymond B. Yeah, I want to avoid that expense. The thieves were pretty bold this time - evidently they came during the day and even got an occupied residence next door while they were at work.

Hey good folks,

I'm looking at a buy and hold property that's had the copper and exterior A/C vandalized. Given the rehab timeline, it wouldn't be rent-ready until the beginning of fall (and cool weather). I'm wondering if I need to replace the A/C unit during the initial rehab, or if I can just wait until spring and let cash flow pay for it?

Chad Meyer Don't forget our recent flood season, either. Metropolitan Sewer District just installed a pair of ejection pumps in a basement for me last month - I couldn't have asked for better timing.

Good advice, George. If you have to have an outside spigot for watering, get a faucet lock.

On the other hand, I've seen people in other places snaking a hose out from the basement utility sink. Determination knows no bounds 'til the cure or quit arrives. :)

I also use the CrimeReports app - I like the way it gives me fairly detailed information on the location and type of crime committed. Around here, the neighborhoods can go from stable to sketchy in a couple of blocks, so having some (somewhat) more precise data is helpful.