All Forum Posts by: Yingchun Li

Originally posted by @Yingchun Li:

Hi, dear landlords on BP!!! I am going to close my first BRRRR house this month and will start the renovation next month. The strategy for this house is for rent for a few years then sell it or maybe just keep it as a rental house. So we gonna redo the whole house as we want the ARV good because we use the hard money.

We already have a family who will rent it and they have a beagle dog. So is that better to have the tile even in the bedrooms? As the dog may scratch the laminate floors even while they run around in the house.There are laminate floors in the living room and bedrooms but some part is old, so we plan to remove them and put the floor looking tiles in the living room and kitchen. But as they have dog and for future renters who may have dogs, is that better to put the same tiles even in the bedrooms and the hallway? 

And any other tips for renovating rental properties? I appreciate all tips. 

I would go with the tile. I used to do a lot of work for a larger investor and one by one we replaced all the flooring with tile. 

There was one that was a long term tenant that wanted laminate so we did that. Two years later we replaced it with tile anyway. She had moved in dogs even though that was forbidden. 

In Texas tile is to me the best way to go. Just use ceramic or whatever is on special that suits you. Cat urine it whatever else just needs cleaning and disinfecting and not replacing. 

Here is an example of the ceramic wood looking tile we use, it's  durable, waterproof, doesn't stain, easy to clean, can't say enough good things about tile!!!    People put down rugs/carpet, so it even secures it more!   It takes the stress out of being a landlord if the tenant has a dog.  (disregard missing baseboard)

And yes, porcelain tile is much nicer, but it's more expensive. 

Originally posted by @Yingchun Li:

Originally posted by @CJ Ashton:

I'm a fan of the wood-like tile.  Looks good.  Holds up nicely.

 yeah, I like it too. Do you choose ceramic or porcelain? I see the ceramic is economic for a rental house especially I gonna do the whole house. Is it good enough?

 Ceramic is usually cheaper, but porcelain is more durable. Also, if scratched or chipped porcelain is the same color all the way through. Ceramic has a different color under the surface. 

Good to know that. I think we will buy porcelain. 

@Yingchun Li Speaking from a position that I was considering renting out my newly updated condo in Saint Paul, MN I was very much so willing to accept a dog that was within the HOA Rules, but NO cats. Now it should be known that my opinion is bias as I am a dog person with a beautiful Aussie/Border Collie.

But on the other hand I had to consider the materials based on my own dog living in the unit and/or a potential renter. So I opted for the highest quality engineered laminate that was in stock (Pergo Max). 

This combined with a strict tenant screening process could yield a very high quality tenant, because as you can see most landlords restrict pets for the potential damage and liabilities they have experienced or hypothesized.  That as one interviewee put it can be a competitive edge that attracts and retains much higher quality renters for much longer.

Also in an effort to apply some data from my current read "Traction: Get A Grip on Your Business"

Reconsider the renter you already have in the pipeline. Just because a seat opens up and someone may be a good fit for the seat doesn't mean they are the best fit for the seat.

A Rat Terrier could cause more damage then a German Shepard it all depends on the owner.

Thanks for reading.

Originally posted by @Yingchun Li:

Originally posted by @Alex Deacon:

@Yingchun Li get a double security deposit for a pet or at least 1/2 a month rent pet deposit. Some landlords will charge a little extra rent for a pet. You have to test the market and see what it will allow you to get away with. Put in the most durable flooring you can thats cost effective but it also has to look good. Shop around and ask some contractors  and local investors. 

 We charged $250 for 1 pet security deposit for the other rental house. The realtor said it's a standard amount here.  I will go the most durable flooring and have a good look. 

 Check your states landlord tenant laws as this pet/animal deposit varies.  My state is 1/4 of the rent max. This should be considered a fee not deposit as this is not refundable in many states.

Best obviously to not allow any pets. 

If you intend to renovate I would defiantly not allow any pets.

@Yingchun Li get a double security deposit for a pet or at least 1/2 a month rent pet deposit. Some landlords will charge a little extra rent for a pet. You have to test the market and see what it will allow you to get away with. Put in the most durable flooring you can thats cost effective but it also has to look good. Shop around and ask some contractors  and local investors. 

Don't base the renovation on one tenant. Are tile bedroom floors normal in your area for this class of rental? here tile would not be a plus because of the cold. people use wood or carpet but in your area if it is worth the extra cost go for it. I don't do carpet 99% of the time,doesn't last.

Best Advice ever,, NO Pets, NO dogs, No Cats.. equals NO problems..

I'm a fan of the wood-like tile.  Looks good.  Holds up nicely.