Critters and Time Management

One of my new rental units has cockroaches.  Yuck.  Hate them.  Crystal City inspector suggested bringing in a Pro.  Another person I trust said the same thing.  Glad we did.  Got hold of a professional with 30 years experience getting rid of them.  It is not cheap, but putting out a letter to tenants (from the bug guy) that future infestations are on them, and on their dime.  

We could have pursued these critters for months on end and perhaps been succesful.  But time is a key factor.  I've been learning that as an investor in real estate, spending money or spending time is a directly connected lever.  I'm learning that spending money to save time is well worth it.  Because I'm not only an investor, but a Dad, a husband, a friend, a follower of Christ, an employee, etc.  I cannot be in my building fixing stuff all the time.  

I will tell you I've learned a lot about cockroaches, and found most of what is believed is a myth.  One is that they live in walls, outside your ability to get them.  They live in tight, cramped, and very warm places, like dishwasher and refridgerator generators.  They are hitchikers.  You can get rid of them completely, but educate your tenants...no old furniture of appliances come in.  Deprive them of water, and you've pretty much got them.  But what they have on their side is time, and human laziness.  Tenants don't think like we do, so the Pro is needed to take care of the problem.