All Forum Posts by: Yinna Wang

We are about to turn over an old unit that has carpet everywhere and vinyl stick squares in the kitchen and bath. The only thing that makes us want to put in carpet again is that it's really good for noise proofing. It's a second floor unit that can fit a family so a hard floor has the potential the drive the downstairs tenant bananas. Am I overthinking it?

We're thinking maybe carpet squares so it's easier to change out the stained ones. I'd love to try vinyl allure throughout but just concerned about the noise and how waterproof the allure is for a bathroom? 

We have an older unit we redid with just sheet vinyl in kitchen and bath. Not sure how well it'll hold up in the long run, but it's been a year and the tenant keeps it really nice. 

Hi all, I'm looking for a General Contractor to renovate one of my units. I'm located in South Orange, NJ. If you are one or know a good one that works with investors, I'd really appreciate your recommendation. Thanks BP!

@Sean Wang Hello fellow Wang! Just wanted to say don't fret you are not alone. My situation is fairly similar to yours. I purchased a 4 family in South Orange last year, had to pay 100k over asking to get it. Waived the appraisal contingency, the property appraised at 30k less, so we had to fork that over as well. By the way, we had to fight tooth and nail to get a proper appraisal. Our first one was for even less, but we went over every detail and was able to get it thrown out and redone. There weren't a lot of mulitfams to use for comps. 

Definitely have moments where I wonder if it was worth it. The property is a block from the train, cute area, but it definitely needed a lot of work. I'm currently house hacking and renovating the other units when tenants turn over. This year we just finished a gut reno on one of the units and raised the rent to market value. With 3 units rented out, we'll be able to cash flow. 

Keep up the good fight!

There seems to be a lack of property managers for small multi-fams. At least in my area of South orange nj. I have a quadplex that I’m looking to get managed and most won’t give the time of day for such a small portfolio. Could be an exploitable niche. 

Hi BP! 

I recently purchased and moved into a 4-fam house in South Orange NJ. And we are currently house hacking and renovating. 

We are looking for other landlords and property managers of small multifamilies in the area to connect with. 

Anyone one out there? 

Looking forward to hearing from ya! 

I was looking there to invest a year ago but was told by some realtors/investors that there is rent control capping the amount you’d be able to charge. So it would mainly be buying for appreciation at least until someone changes the rental laws. Does anyone know more about it?

Hi all, 

I have a 4 family that I'd like to get water submetering service for, where the company bills the tenants. My property is in South Orange, NJ. Haven't had much luck finding a company that will take on a small account, if anybody knows a company that might work please let me know. 

Thank you! 

Lots of colorful responses, thanks BP community! 

To clarify, the issue isn’t that our hookups are broken. The hookups work fine. They may be old but they are working. It’s the appliance company that is being difficult. We could offer to install the washer ourselves for the tenant. Its just that then the appliance wouldn’t be under warranty, according to the appliance company. 

It could fall under a lease term where the tenant has caused a situation where something on my property needs to be fixed/replaced. This seems to be in a gray area, so I wanted to ask around. 

I agree, it’s important to establish a good working relationship w the tenant. Wasn’t sure how strict we should be as new landlords, but it seems the consensus is to go ahead and pay for the hookup. 

Thanks for all the responses! 

Just purchased a 4plex, property has some deferred maintenance. We have washer/dryer hookups in the basement that our tenant uses with her own machines. Last week she told us that the washer broke and she purchased a new one. However, the installers told her that our hookup was too rusted and would not install, and if they don't install then the appliance is not covered under warranty. It will cost us about $150 to have the plumber come out and replace the hookup. Should we just pay for this cost or have the tenant pay?

@David Mordzynski Thanks for the welcome! Would love to chat and compare notes. 

@Jen Narciso I found my deal through @Darren Sager, he was a huge help and still is through this whole process. My husband and I are house hacking too. We just began gutting one of our units, it's a multi. Oh the stories. PM me, it'd be great to share some laughs. (or tears) haha