Things people don't tell you about multi-family

[Shane Craig]

I want to start out by saying I love multifamily but I have learn some things about them that I didn't consider with SFH.

Most of these issues have been resolved quickly but still they are pain.

1. Parking is an issue. I have had multiple calls about tenants parking in the wrong spot or friends and family not having a place to park.

2. Smells- when people live in close quarters their smells ( good or bad) affect each other. I actually had a tenant call me and tell me they smelled BO coming from another tenants apartment or they smell of weed and then you have tract down who is doing it.

3. Drama- Everyone is a tattle tale and everyone is in each others business. I have had calls about fights, noise complaints, and people doing gymnastics in a top units. 

I feel like all of these complaints most likely wouldn't have happen if these were SFH?

Tell me what you think.

[Bjorn Ahlblad]

I have had SFR's in the past, now I only have MF. I screen thoroughly and remind our new tenants about noise etc. My wife and I self manage, we have never singled out a tenant instead we have sent out a notice about noise, parking and smoking to everyone, and even that has been seldom. Our local town has passed an ordinance-no smoking within 25 feet of an apartment building-so we put up signs.

There are so many things to consider being a LL. Cost per door and efficiency of scale beats all for me; the rest is just noise.