All Forum Posts by: Rich Schmidt
Rich Schmidt has started 2 posts and replied 102 times.
Post: Discrimination Issues

- Investor
- Valparaiso, IN
- Posts 103
- Votes 65
Originally posted by Ryan B.:
Also do you know where to find this info if I am understanding you correctly?
Looks like the answer is "both." Google found me this at http://fairhousing.foxrothschild.com/2011/01/articles/fha-basics/exemptions-to-the-fair-housing-act-not-many-but-here-are-some/
Post: Discrimination Issues

- Investor
- Valparaiso, IN
- Posts 103
- Votes 65
I don't know anything about the legal "can he win?" side of things. But it sounds to me like you have proof of a clear difference between them based on credit score & income. Now, if you'd gone the other way & rented to someone with a worse credit score & lower income...
BTW, if you're looking for ways to defuse the situation, maybe you could help this person find some other accommodations? Refer them to some other possibilities?
My guess is that once he's found his new place to live, he's going to settle down & not pursue legal action.
Post: Respect tenant privacy

- Investor
- Valparaiso, IN
- Posts 103
- Votes 65
Originally posted by Rich Schmidt:
Originally posted by Jean K.:
I don't think he's been arrested (yet). Or is there somewhere besides YouTube and Yahoo Answers with more information...?
Never mind. I asked in the YouTube comments, and she answered. He was arrested, but they had to let him go after 24 hours.
Post: Respect tenant privacy

- Investor
- Valparaiso, IN
- Posts 103
- Votes 65
Originally posted by Jean K.:
I don't think he's been arrested (yet). Or is there somewhere besides YouTube and Yahoo Answers with more information...?
Post: Respect tenant privacy

- Investor
- Valparaiso, IN
- Posts 103
- Votes 65
Yikes! That's bad... and I hope to know what results from it!
After Chris' post, I kind of wonder if they've broken laws and not just the rules of common decency. In Kee Kee's post on Yahoo Answers, she says: "It was in the rental agreement that they would NOT enter my room without 24 hour notice." That's here: http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20111228113211AAW8noN
Post: Excel File for managing P&L, expenses, etc across a small portfolio of properties

- Investor
- Valparaiso, IN
- Posts 103
- Votes 65
I'd be interested in something similar... and it doesn't appear that any have been uploaded to the "Real Estate FilePlace" here on the site. My current spreadsheet is pretty crummy... so if anyone has one they're really happy with, perhaps you could share it?
Post: Feeling very discouraged

- Investor
- Valparaiso, IN
- Posts 103
- Votes 65
I'd think you should be able to get out of your contract with that real estate agent if they're truly not doing anything for you. Failing to respond to calls or to give you basic information (like the MLS listing) should be grounds for terminating the contract, I would think.
But I don't have experience in this area. Anyone else? I'd think if you could get a motivated agent who actually wants to sell your homes, they'd sell!
Post: Landscaping for a Rental

- Investor
- Valparaiso, IN
- Posts 103
- Votes 65
Originally posted by Kyle Meyers:
So far I have thought to avoid putting plants anywhere they would block windows or doors, and not put plants anywhere it will make it more difficult to maintain the yard.
I assume you're talking about properties in Indiana. We have a couple, but they're very close, and we maintain the lawns ourselves.
Perennial flowers are great. Lots of options there. Hostas are easy. We also have some mid-high grasses that look nice. All in rocks or mulch.
Post: Just got an iPhone: App recommendations?

- Investor
- Valparaiso, IN
- Posts 103
- Votes 65
Originally posted by Jeff S:
Ideally, the app would automatically record my position and let me download and annotate periodically. I don't want to rely on myself to enter odometer readings, if I can help it. Thanks.
If there is such an app, I'd love to know about it. I just enter my mileage on the calendar as all-day events, so they stay at the top of the list. Not ideal, but it works... when I remember.
Post: Just got an iPhone: App recommendations?

- Investor
- Valparaiso, IN
- Posts 103
- Votes 65
Jon, I know many people wouldn't feel comfortable with my unsecured iPhone habit. But I value convenience over security in this case. If someone is going to steal my iPhone out of my pocket, they could also steal my wallet, and I'd be more concerned with losing that than my iPhone.
Thanks for bringing attention to the fact that people who choose to secure their iPhone 4S need to also set Siri to "off" when the phone is locked.