All Forum Posts by: Missy H.

@Michael B.@Justin Tahilramani

Thank you ALL for your helpful advice and comments.  In the end, I did call an electrician who was recommended to me from a contractor.  He suggested that I change out all of the electrical outlets that were old and painted over throughout the years.  Once I did this, all electrical issues were solved.  

Lesson learned......explore all options and resources.

I used to have a property manager, not anymore.  But my property taxes were escrowed.  I did have to pay the water/sewer separately.  My PM did not have access to write checks or pay bills.

@Bryan N., @Jim Ness, @Kyle Hipp, @Mark Brogan, @Sam Leon, @Pat L.

Great post!!  Now it's 2 years later and I am in the same predicament with a 14" rough in.  Thank God for BP and the community.  My handyman told me that it is a 14" and I looked at Lowes (didn't have it) and HD (have to order it - will take two weeks).  

After reading your post and responses, I will just tell him to install a 12".  The tenants are not big people and I don't foresee them leaning back to read.  LOL!!

Thanks again

Evict them now.....

No good deed goes unpunished.  As many posters have written, there is a housing law limiting the number of people who can live in a 1 BR house.  Don't break the law.

@Edgar Sulca  I don't have the breakdown for the windows itself since the handyman was also replacing a light fixture and doing some work in the bathroom.  However, if I had to do it myself, it would cost $5-10 to pick up a window insulation kit for Home Depot and maybe $15 for a hair dryer (I don't own one.)  The insulation is really easy to do.

@Jennifer McElliott

I recently renovated a bathroom with tenants living in the unit and all i heard were complaints about the noise, the dust, how long it was taking and the use of their electricity.  I would not do it again.

How much will the renovations cost you?  Is it worth it, financially to do the renovations in order to get market rent?  Or could you just raise their rents by 3% or whatever is allowed by law?  You currently have long term tenants who are happy.  You may want to figure in:

How long the renovations will take.  How long will it take to get it rented.  Will your future tenants be just as good and long-term?

In my opinion, i would keep everything as is, raise their rents incrementally and save up the money to re-hab it whenever a tenant moves out.  

Rates are based on the demand.  If you set a price and your property is constantly booked you can raise the rates.  If no one is booking, then lower your rates.

@Account Closed

I wonder why you are replacing them.  Are they broken or do you anticipate that they will break and want to be prepared?

Some of the older furnaces can last way beyond their life expectancy, especially if maintained yearly.  Of course higher efficiency furnaces will cost you more money but save the tenant in gas bills.  Have you had the furnaces inspected?  It is possible that a new 80% furnace is more efficient than the one they currently have so it is a win/win for everyone.  

@Kenneth LaVoie

Some states require a property manager to have their real estate license.  

@Evan Thomas, @Thomas S.

Thank you all for your input.  It is very much appreciated.

I have decided to go ahead and insulate the windows.  I had to call the handyman to replace a broken ceiling fan and decided to have him do the windows too.  Although replacing the windows is on my list of things to do, i was not planing on doing it any time soon.  I will most likely do it the spring so that it coincides with their rent increase.

Thanks again