Parking Lot Striping/Painting

[Ryan Bolus]

Hi Everyone,

Two months ago I closed on my first deal - 2 fourplexes, less than 2 miles from my house. The numbers worked great (at least in theory - time will tell!), and now I am in the process of getting things up to my standards. So far managing has been a piece of cake. The only issue I am having is parking...

Long story short, my one building has a parking lot that backs up to another building. Not only do the residents of the other building park there, but one of my units has 5 cars (for 2 people...) and they don't seem to understand the "two cars per apartment in the lot" idea. I've got a towing sign, and have used it - but I am thinking long term. I really don't like the complaint calls - I have to look up if the car is registered, call the towing company, etc.

So...what do you guys think about spending a few hundred bucks on getting the lot striped and painted with unit numbers? Has anyone done this? I would still have to take the phone calls, but I am thinking this would be a big deterrant in parking there if you weren't a resident.

[Marcia Maynard]

Just gotta share a story. We have an 8-plex and have the signage.... "Reserved For Tenants Only - Absolutely No Guest Parking" and the sign from the tow company with whom we contract is posted as well. Late one night, about 1130pm, I drive by on my way home from work and see an unauthorized car in the lot. I call the cell phone of the tenant who I suspect probably has a guest parking there. No answer. I don't knock on doors at that hour and this is not the first time this tenant has not followed the rules by allowing his guests to park in the lot, so I call the tow company. While I'm waiting for the tow truck, the owner of the car emerges from the unit that I had suspected. I introduce myself, take a photo of her next to her car and tell her that she is not authorized to park in the lot and I point to the signage. I also tell her that I already called the tow company. She gives me the "doe in the headlights look" and then asks "Would it be okay for me to take a few things out of my car before it is towed?" I advise, "It I were you, I would get in the car and move it to the street before the tow truck arrives." She says, "Oh! Okay." and moves it. I call the tow company and cancel the tow. Unbelievable.