All Forum Posts by: Svend W.

@JD Martin Seems like it's for all practical purposes only paid now. 

I created a listing 2 weeks ago on Apartments.com and its status has been this ever since then:

"Listing: Submitted

Reach more renters. Go Premium

Listing is pending.
Call 1-844-293-8899 during business hours to expedite."

Going premium costs $349.

I can't imagine anything in my listing requiring special attention. It's a typical 3 BR.

Have tried calling the number and it's a long wait. Waited 15 minutes and gave up.

If they no longer want to provide a free service, that's fine, but it would be nice if they were up front about what they're really offering people. Based on my experience, the free option now just seems like a marketing gimmick.

Thanks, Carolyn.

Thanks, all.

Yes, I clearly do need to get more quotes. I partly asked this question because as chance would have it the last few outfits that I reached out to haven't been very responsive.

Having crawled around a bit up there since I posted my original question, I have to admit that that quote now seems a bit less outrageous. It's not the easiest work, especially with a low roof like mine.

Thanks.

Hello

I'm looking to advertise a property and am wondering if people think Apartments.com has worked out its glitches since their acquisition of Cozy earlier this year.

I've noticed some pretty unhappy reviews on BP, but I also realize that there are often issues when migrating services (and data) between companies.

Have they sorted things out? I was a happy Cozy user for a few years, but I'm wondering if I should play it safe and go with another paid service.

Hi, folks

I'm curious if anyone with insulation expertise has any thoughts about this quote for replacing old insulation in a 1,400 sq ft attic.

I have a property whose insulation is in really bad shape due to a family of racoons that used to be there.

I got a quote for $2,800 total for blow-in insulation up to 16" along with installation of soffits for ventilation.

An additional $1,500 for removing the old insulation (which is torn up and has some animal droppings).

The 2nd number seems a bit steep to me. Am I wrong?

He's clearly open to negotiate, but I also don't want to nickel and dime the guy if that's a reasonable price for the work.

Thanks in advance.

Well, whatever its merits as an investment, it looks like the coach house is not a good fit for me right now. In my case, the new loan would be too large a percentage of the ARV for comfort, especially given all the unknowns.

Maybe it would work for someone with more equity.

Yes, Evanston and Oak Park recently approved similar ordinances.

Good points for both views. 

I may not necessarily be maximizing ROI, but I lean towards Jonathan K.'s approach. Especially given that I expect to hold this property long term and am in an area with solid demand.

As a parent, I love the idea of the flexibility of a coach house.

It also adds relatively affordable new housing—it's interesting how ending the long-standing ADU ban has been championed by Chicago anti-poverty organizations—which appeals to my values.

I’ll update this thread later when there are additional developments for others interested in this approach.

Thanks 

@Marland Hobbs It was approved in December.

Thanks, Andrew, Russell. Yeah, I really like the coach house idea, but those factors do give me pause. 

I'm looking at this company, which I guess specializes in this kind of work in Evanston.
https://evanston.coop

Hi all

I'm househacking a two-flat home in northern Chicago (Evanston). I know I want to add an ADU, either in the basement or the back yard.

Since parking is a bit sparse on our one-way street and we use the driveway, I think in any case we will to build a garage to attract the kind of tenants we're targeting. I'm considering idea of biting the bullet and building a coach house with a garage.

Our basement is finished and has 2 BR (currently a half-bath, no kitchen), so that could be converted.

So, I think the choice would be between a 1) coach house w garage or 2) a regular garage + converted basement. 

I'm curious if anyone has any thoughts on the pros and cons of one over the other--my assumption is that you can't do both--in this market. The coach house would be considerably more expensive (I think the estimate I got was as much as $200K), though it would also have some obvious advantages to prospective tenants.

Thanks in advance.