Do any of you do your own repairs?

[Ingrid Nagy]

Since I mostly just look and give instructions to the Super, it was a real "turn back the clock" moment for me recently when I was trying to meet an inspection deadline-not enough manpower to get everything done. There I was installing cabinets, painting apartments, etc. I had forgotten what it felt like at the end of each day coming home covered in paint with tired aching muscles.

The most interesting aspect of the whole thing was the psychological effect it had upon my tenants. I suddenly lost my "image" of the landlord that only cares about getting the rent and doing nothing. (Little do they know). As I sweated my butt off and they watched me, they acquired a renewed respect for me and those harsh landlord/tenant lines seemed to fade away.