All Forum Posts by: Lisa Phillips

That wasn't my experience. Well, that is to say, she was really accommodating to the people with sob stories before me.  The evidence for the case wasn't read or even looked at, and she just had her mind set she wasn't listening to anything my lawyer was saying. It was the biggest mess I've ever witnessed. It seems like when the whim strikes, the judge you saw is there, but that wasn't evident when I was in front of her. I was appalled, really. When I saw this post, if what i was is going on, there is definitely a problem in Baltimore. However, I am learning appealing to the circuit court can be quite a pricey proposition.

@Gabriel G. Personally, I was just going to spend a lot of money that I may never get back to make a point for myself and other people, using the appeals processes for lack of following constitutional standards (My husband and I are considering it an investment in our lovely country, the USA). So, our target now is getting to the circuit courts, and appealing higher, because I don't think you can get a fair break in district court from what I witnessed.  If enough people want to organize, I would definitely be on board and use whatever platform I have to help mobilize. I never took on a corrupt city, so I don't have that type of background. Usually, the municipalities I deal with follow the law, so it seems like this has really just gotten out of hand in Baltimore over the last couple of years. 

Its the city workers and courts systems, rather than the tenants, that are the worse. It can be so in your face unjust...unconstitutional...They make you feel like its third world. No, make that Idiocracy. The tenants tend to usually be regular people. I can't say you shouldn't invest in Baltimore, but I will say its a lot of headaches, and you can get the same returns elsewhere. As someone who likes getting good returns with low stress, however, in that case I would advise against it. But, my husband can handle a lot more stress than I can, so he would have a much higher tolerance level of nonsense, so in that case, enjoy the high returns if high handedness of the court system.

@Account Closed Ugh, the Baltimore District Court: I had a judge, honorable Devy P. Russell...She shows up an hour late, doesn't even read the docket or evidence of the case, and dismisses it after a few minutes of all oral testimony - evidence, schmevidence, right?

I felt leaving the district court feeling like I had dressed like a bum and didnt have a lawyer, I would have gotten better treatment. However, my silly mistake was that I was dressed nice, had on a nice dress and pearls, and a lawyer, so nothing about the unconstitionality (or adherence to precedent) meant anything. You are correct: We are appealing as far as we can. The district court system is a joke, and the only hope IS to get to a higher court where that ridiculousness,  (and lack of preparedness, and apparently, classism) isnt allowed, and the actual law, facts, and evidence actually gets read. I'll explain more on my blog post in a week or two about this in detail of what happened.

Seth Sherman is right...I as so shocked at the blatant disregard for common legal courtesies (like, spending more than a few minutes on a very important case and reading the Freaking EVIDENCE) didn't happen. Ah well, onto appealing at the circuit court, then if need be, as high as we need to go. Now i just want the corruption, as well as lack of adherence to basic legal findings, is exposed. And hopefully, embarrasses them all. At this point, im paying to get this ridiculousness out into the open.

However, I will now say with absolute conviction, that if Baltimore chases people who are honest (and apparently good dressers) away, who dont have sob stories, and keeps those that do, they are literally curating a society of people who dont have their act together, and driving away people that do. Baltimore - your future is of your own self making.

You can probably tell outside of appealing my lawsuit (which I can't go into detail here about), I am so done with bmore - you can make great returns elsewhere. 

@Russell Brazil  Great posts! I dont think I would have found it without you digging it up :-)

Lisa

Well,

I had a good run with Cbrowne, but I am now on a search for a new management team! Will advise who I find, and why, in a few. Thanks!

@Chris K. summed it up quite nicely. In the midwest, 30-50k homes are really nice homes, and in urban areas they can be in slightly iffy neighborhood. The trick is knowing HOW to approach these areas, to respect and go with the flow of these areas, to accomplish rental income. I am sort of known for this area because I started talking about how to navigate these differences, and just actually acknowledging these differences exist and how to adapt to them to obtain a good income generator. My background being from lower income neighborhoods myself helps to facilitate that discussion.

In everything, knowledge is everything. Thank you @Joe Fairless for letting me know about this thread! 

@Joseph M. I wouldnt say my tenant screening is "more intense" so much as approached differently. Knowing the market as I do, I have a few more non-negotiables in areas that a regular or traditional neighborhoods wouldn't really think of, and I am less harsh in some factors that a traditional rental in a upper class neighborhood that you wouldnt go for. The key, as in everything and I think you are making the point, is to know what you're dealing with and what the differences in those markets are. The problem up until now is that people were approaching different neighborhoods and demographics the same, but when you respect and learn the differences in those markets, it really starts changing the entire process and you have more successful outcomes. 

Hi all, 

There is now a Sub30k Investor Facebook Group. Go to my BP profile page to find out how to get access - Its open to everyone.

@Richard Fields Hi!  here you go:

http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/01/23...

I like the podcast, we had a lot of fun taping it. Let this group know when you have any questions, its a great brain trust here with new and experienced investors.

@Tiffany Ward Sounds like your thinking with your head, not emotions, so that's going to serve you well going forward.

Its okay to take risks - let's just make sure its worth it!

Lisa