The "Secret Room"

[Vicki Gleitz]

We recently had an offer accepted on a 3/1 in pueblo. Closing is the 28th. The realtor just called and told us that there is an opening in the ceiling in the kitchen pantry and that above it is a secret room in good condition. The 6 year old inside my sixty-something year old body screams "How cool is that!"

So, the realtor says that the owner had planned to knock out the pantry and put in a spiral staircase to access the room [a ladder is used now] As my six year old self starts pondering the possibility of an old chest hidden there with a map that leads to great treasure [yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!] sixty -something me decides to go on line and see if putting in a spiral staircase is even feasible.

Unfortunately, I discover that a spiral staircase can not be coded for a room if it is the primary access.

So, probably no spiral staircase....but guys, I have a secret room!

[Jake Oreskovich]

I agree with @Aaron Cagnoni , if you would allow tenants to grow in there, you could probably get a higher rent. Being that this is in Pueblo, I have allowed almost all of my tenants to grow in my rentals as long as they inform me before they do. I make them inform me so I can have someone look at what they have in there to make sure it's safe as far as electrical usage, water drainage issues etc...

A lot of landlords in Pueblo are anti-marijuana but the way I see it, the tenants are going to do it regardless if I let them or not. I'd rather charge more for rent for letting them do it and make sure they are doing it correctly so they don't burn my house down trying to experiment.

If that isn't your thing, I'd either go the storage route or just leave the ladder and add a liability clause in your lease!