All Forum Posts by: Aaron Wyssmann

@Dan Bosak  

This is a great question and good discussion happening around it.  I read your last post about not wanting to manage a manager instead of tenants and I completely agree.  I have been learning lots about this myself and our company.  A book that I've been reading lately is "Start with Why" by Simon Sinek and this whole book is fabulous about building businesses and organizations.  I personally think it would help you get an idea of who it is that you would want to work for you and why, if you decided on the employee route.  If you go the PM route then it all becomes more passive and you have to make sure you are hiring the right company.

@Troy Young I'm pretty sure that is a bit more crazy than what I had to deal with. Good luck on that one when you get it back. 

UPDATE

So I went over to the property this morning to do another inspection.  They had thankfully removed all of the various "extra" animals.  I simply let them know that if at any point they bring other animals in or to the home that we would immediately file for an eviction.  The were thankful that we were not going to file for an eviction which was what I figured from my conversation I had with them the other day.

@Troy Fisher   I love the mock up...nice work.

@Sean T.   That's a great story.  I'm with you when sometimes I've seen what they've done to a property and they think somehow they made it better.  What are they thinking?

@Steve Vaughan   That's a great clause to add to your lease.  We have just started to add something similar because of this very issue.

@Nate Garrett So true, maybe we could actually profit from this.  We could call it a kids petting zoo.

@Michael Barbari You are right, pretty sure this is something Joey would have done.  Did they actually have something like this in an episode?  I can't remember.

The tenant of course couldn't understand what the problem was with all the animals.  He said he looked it up online and he thought it would be ok as long as they were in cages...WRONG. 

I let him know that he was in direct violation with the lease and that it could be grounds for eviction.  They smoke like chimneys in the place so it already smells but they have always paid on time.  So the first course of action will be to write them a letter stating that they must immediately remove all animals besides the dogs and cat.  I will do a re-inspection early next week and if they don't comply then we will file for eviction.  My guess is that they will remove them because they were not wanting to be evicted.  

I will also note any damage that I believe could have been caused by these animals and bill them now.  I won't wait until they move out.  

A tenant had a maintenance request about the bathtub handle.  It would come off and spray out when taking a shower.  So I sent my plumber out there this morning to fix it.  He called me and asked whether they had paid a pet fee.  I responded that I didn't know and asked why?  Because he said he was pretty sure he heard a duck in there...and maybe a turkey.  I laughed and of course peppered him because I thought he was just trying to get me worked up.  He convinced me he was not.

So, I got my camera and headed to the property to do some investigative work.  I rang the doorbell and the tenant came to the door.  I told him that I was there to do an inspection and he of course asked why.  I simply told him that my maintenance man told me there were more than just dogs or cats at the property.  I asked him what animals he had at the property.  

He stated, "A cat, two dogs and a bird...oh yeah also a lizard."  

I said what kind of bird and he stated, "One that is in a cage".  I told him that I would need to come into the property to see for myself because those were not authorized animals.

He took me to a bedroom and sure enough there was some sort of caged bird.  I took a picture of it.  I turned around to see the two dogs...and two turtles.  I asked about them and he said, "I'm only watching them for a friend."  

Of course you are...

I then asked to see the lizard.  Upon walking through the living room I saw another caged animal.  I asked what it was and he said a rabbit but they were only watching that for a friend...and for just another day or two.   

SURE you are...

I then saw the lizard in the cage, took another picture and kept asking more questions.  

Here's where it gets good...I see this cabinet that is turned on it's side with tinted glass on it.  At first I was just going to walk by but then I had a hunch.  I said, "What's this cabinet?" 

Silence...you could have heard a pin drop.

I walked over to it, opened the top and what you ask was in it?  That's right my friend a duck.  Yes folks, a duck in a cabinet.  Just for those of you that don't believe me...here's the proof.

Welcome to BP Mike.  I use a guy named Alan Nippes with Fritz, Nippes and Associates.  He is a great guy who know his stuff and is willing to teach.  

That's crazy that they agreed to and extra $150/month, way to go. I have to apologize because I'm on the mobile app and not on my computer so I don't know what state you are in. You need to look up your state laws and know what they say regarding pets. In some states they put limits on pet deposits and even regular deposits. In Missouri you can charge up to a double deposit on the property but there are no limits on a pet deposit, so theoretically it could be anything. What I'd say in your case is to get maybe a pet deposit of $200.

Michael S. First it is awesome that you had the discipline to pay off a home when you are so young, congrats. When I'm looking at properties or investments I always want to generate the best cash on cash return. So if I were in your shoes I would look to find several properties or possibly a small multi family to invest in. You can use the BP calculators and play with some numbers but when you buy a property with all cash your return is lower because it is going to take longer to return your investment to you. If you put say 25% down then if you pick a good property your investment will be returned to you faster. Theoretically if you buy a property with no cash and you get a return on it then what's the return percentage? It's infinite. What a beautiful country and a great way to build wealth. Good luck buddy!