All Forum Posts by: Allen Clark

@Austin Davis, I don't use anti virus software because I am just damn careful and do not let the kids use my computer EVER. I have heard that AVG is good for anti virus though and you can look for it on CNET's download.com site. 

Another good thing about the Microsoft Store is that they have free tune ups and virus removal at their store. I've had my kids' computers in there more than once removing various crap. It doesn't even mater if you bought the PC there you can still bring it in. I'm a big fan of the Microsoft Store!

Disclaimer: No connection to AVG either. I've worked in tech for 20 years so I have a few opinions. That's it. 

I buy all my PCs at the Microsoft Store as I find their prices are competitive and they do not load the computers they sell with bloat ware (the "free" software that no one wants). I am not an Apple guy at all and have very little interest in their products. People who love Apple love Apple so if you go that way I'm sure you'll be happy too. 

I like the Lenovo Yoga 3 the best. They make a good product. It fits your hybrid tablet / PC requirement and the product works well. I have two friends that swear by it and it will be my next computer. Previously I bought $400 laptops and found them to be a little too flimsy. 

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pd...

Disclaimer: I have no attachments to Lenovo or Microsoft. I just like their product. I am not an employee of either company. I do own a little Microsoft stock and I truly wish that was material (ha!) but it is not even close. 

My properties are in Seattle within a 25 minute walk to downtown. This puts people within walking distance of various headquarters including Amazon.com, Nordstrom, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation etc. Add in a few universities, three large hospitals,  requisite law firms and there are loads of jobs close by. There is such a high volume of professionals moving to Seattle that we have done very well renting out furnished housing with flexible leases. 

The combination of furnished housing + flexible leases allows us to charge higher than market rent. We'll stick with furnished housing until the market turns. I think that once the economy cools and less people are moving to Seattle then we may have to turn to unfurnished rentals with longer lease terms. 

I rent higher end properties so I make sure all appliances are present and in fine working order. Stove, dishwasher, microwave, washer, dryer. There is no A/C but in Seattle that is common. I just put a tankless water heater in one as the water heater needed to be replaced. This saved space and looks "cool" for renters. 

For the appliances I buy basic higher end models that are easy to repair. No stainless tub in the dishwasher and no water/ice maker in the fridge. 

Interesting older thread. I rent my primary residence and own two other investment properties. For me renting out in the suburbs makes financial sense. It would cost $900k to buy this house and I do not want to tie up my capital and time caring for that sort of place. I would much rather but 2-3 more properties in the city where the $/sq foot is much higher for rentals. 

We pay $1/square foot in rent for our primary residence but we receive $3/square foot from our income properties in the city. Seems like a no brainer to me.

You need to understand the lease that has been signed. Then you can decide if you want to enforce it to the letter of the contract or if you want to give some leeway. I allow people to break the lease with only 30 days notice with no penalties but my places are very easily rentable and I know I can get another tenant very quickly. Read the lease and assess. 

@Christian Bors, you need to read the lease your tenants signed and understand it. It will be very clear what monies you are entitled to keep if they back out. For me, I require 30 days notice. If a tenant notifies me with more than 30 days that they are backing out then they get all their money back. If they notify me that they will not be moving in with less than 30 days then I keep the first month rent and give back the security deposit. 

You can structure it however you want as long as you know the law in your jurisdiction and comply with it. My places are very easy to rent so I do not mind giving all monies back but I want that protection for < 30 days. 

I started tracking net worth monthly once I was heading for divorce. I really needed to know precisely where my finances were and the trend line. I find net worth to be a decent measure of that. Having been more settled for a few years I still track it monthly. It does not take long to do it and I just keep the figures on a spreadsheet on Microsoft's Onedrive site. 

Also remember that part of the goal should be to learn. For me the numbers are adequate if not spectacular but I am learning as I go. With two properties up and running I can really think through what my third should look like. 

I owned 1/2 a duplex in Vancouver Canada as a primary residence many years ago and we just worked it out between neighbors. It's a good point and an answer I should know. I will look up the law and see. There is definitely no HOA so my assumption when there is roof, paint, or other joint issues is that the owners will determine the best course of action. Of course, that is also my motivation to own the whole thing.