All Forum Posts by: Samantha Hiscock

I had some winners this week. I was asking my typical questions and was surprised at their ignorance.  

"Have you ever been evicted?"

"Um, I'm not sure. How would I know?" 

"Well, has a landlord ever taken you to court?"

"Yeah! And the judge told me I had to get out!!" 

"Then you've been evicted"

"But that was a while ago, like back in December!!" 

Absolutely,  but this couple made a combined total of 1,300 per month. The rent is 950. They had a new baby. 350 for diapers, gas, insurance,  and electricity seems impossible even with food stamps. 

I've got 2 vacancies right now.. all but one have told me they can move in right now because they just got their tax refund.. wtf, it's only February10th, I haven't even thought about my taxes yet! 

One said she would pay first, security (both required), and then an extra month and a half of rent if she could move in this week.. rent is $950, which means her tax refund was roughly  $3500 and I'll never see another dine from them. No thanks! 

I just had an applicant covered in tattoos. I denied him for many reasons, and the tattoos were on the list. I'm not a huge fan of tattoos and I nearly died when I realized my husband had one, but I think the QUALITY of the tattoo is important, especially for the visible ones. Having crooked, poorly done, misspelled, or classless tattoos in places people can see is just idiotic. This guy had a misspelled neck tattoo and a bunch of other crappy non-professional tattoos all over every portion of his body I could see. If these were obviously well done, professional tattoos I wouldn't have been so dismissive about him. If something is going to be on your body forever, pay for it and make it look good. If you can't "waste" your money on a decent tattoo I'm sure paying rent is also not a top priority.  

 A landlord may not terminate the lease, but under the Servicemember Civil Relief Act the tenant may terminate the lease with the proper written orders without penalty. 

 Ugh!!! Why didn't you tell me this 6 years and 2 floods ago?!?! ;-) 

Blair is completely accurate, the tenants can be rough depending on which part of Barre you are in. However VT 'rough' is hardly the same as rough in other parts of the country. But I am a tough cookie, so they don't give me much trouble! ;-) 

I have a 4 unit, I paid 142,500 for it and get $950 for a 2 unit with heat. 

I am again going to agree with Blair and say it depends on your strategy, but Barre is definitely prime for a comeback and I believe the potential for appreciation is huge. The mayor is doing alot for the downtown and we have had major infrastructure upgrades in the last few years. Reuben is the best property manager around, and I'd have no qualms about handing over the management of my properties to him if I ever left the area. 

 Slow, but moving! ;-) Pockets of the state sell fast, others sit on the market for a while. Chittenden County has alot of appreciation every year. 

 Seriously!  I've got nice rentals for the area, and I had one woman complain there weren't granite counter tops (which I don't even have in my own home!). When I asked what she did for work she pointed to her unruly toddler and told me she was on Reach Up, which is welfare cash assistance. She then whined that the wall in the living room wasn't at a good angle for her 55" tv.. wtf! 

Hey Robert,  I am a real estate agent in VT and have rentals in Barre. Prices are low and rents are high. Send me a message, I'd love to show you a few.