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Updated almost 6 years ago on . Most recent reply
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Paid off 3 Family Home, Now What?
So in the near future, I will be inheriting a 3 Family home which is great considering that the mortgage is already paid in full and there is nothing wrong with the home since all major repairs have been done fairly recently. The current owner lives on the first floor and rents out the second and third floors and does an ok job with maintaining the property on the inside.
I have a few questions:
- How can I make sure that once the home is passed over to me that all applicable laws are being followed to both of the renters? Where can I find this information or contact someone to assist me in assessing the property?
- Since the house is fully paid for, I would like to do a HELOC and take out what is necessary to purchase another rental property and fix it to code and have that as another stream of income. Is this the best course of action or is there another way that makes sense.
- Since I am becoming a landlord, I would like to read up on any good literature that can help me with this, especially anything that can shed some light to being a landlord in Massachusetts.
Some details about me. I live in Massachusetts and already own a home. Have construction experience and have several friends that work in the trades that can help with any major issues with the home if needed. I'm really new to this so any sort of information is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
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I can better give you specific resources if I know what part of MA you are in. Even a county will help. In the meantime, mass.gov has a whole section applying to landlord/tenant law. It is no joke in MA to comply with the laws, so read them carefully. Charlie is right about the testers at MCAD. I also recommend you start attending groups in your area. Specifically landlord assns, which I can't recommend without knowing your area. There are several of them.
Your first an most important task, IMHO, is to read and understand the MA laws. Do not assume that because something sounds ridiculous, like triple damages, that it is not enforced. Do not underestimate professional tenants. Do not skimp on screening. Read up on BP about screening tenants in MA.