All Forum Posts by: Andrea M.

I am thinking about staining the Lowes Unfinished Cabinets for this rehab we are working on for a rental property. Has anyone done this? If so, what product have you used? Thanks in advance :-)

Yes, I use them all the time, since the property is vacant..I ride by/stop in various times of day a few times a week. I open the door and walk thru to make sure no one is squatting or has broken into the property.

For my area, craigslist is my main source and gosection8.com -if your opened to section 8 tenants..free version and paid version in order to get tenant information like names and phone number.

I don't agree with this..to me it's like giving a discount for something that they are supposed to do and if they don't do it, you have no late fee.

In my area the title search/title report is only for liens from the city, not codes/compliance issues or violations. The inspector notified me that Codes/Compliance has an in house "Watch List" meaning that it is not public knowledge unless you call in and ask questions. In order to find out about any possible violations we have to call the city and they are very helpful.

Yes, codes/compliance list is a great way to find deals..especially if you get in good with an inspector you can give you the low down on the property/owner. Thankful it didn't end worse..rehab is going well..exhausting and long days..but going well.

We recently purchased 2 properties right next door to each other with the plans of working on one at a time..2 weeks into the rehab on the first property Codes/Compliance shows up and says that the properties are on the city "watch list to be demolished" , she explains to me that City have been chasing the owner for the last year and the property changed hands 3 times in last year and she came to my house and spoke with a young lady about what needs to be done in order to bring the property up to code.- clearly she was at the previous owner as I closed on the property 2 weeks prior. I explained to her we recently closed on both properties and was not aware of any Code issues.
Luckily for me I had spoken with this particular inspector 3 weeks prior regarding a tenant complaint (tenant made a complaint to Codes without notifying me first) to Codes/Compliance and I rectified the situation within a timely manner. So she felt as though as the new owners we would comply with the city and bringing the property up to code.
She then goes on to tell me to stop working on the inside and start working on the outside, since that is the problem that the city has with the property and since I am the new owner she will give me 30 days to complete the outside, which we planned to do that weekend anyway.
3 days after her visit, the new siding was installed, outside painted and I emailed her and left her a voicemail notifying her of such, she stopped by and inspected the outside and in turn was able to notify her supervisor who in turn removed the property from the "Watch List-Intent to Demolish"

My advice when purchasing reo/foreclosed or abandoned properties-perform your due diligence.. typically if the city has issues with the property or violations, it will not show up on a title report. A quick search on your localities website or a phone call or email to Codes/Compliance can verify any code issues. Had this issue been prolonged it would of been a nightmare to have the city remove these properties from "Watch List-Intent to Demolish" including court cost, setting a bond and numerous other issues..glad we dodged that bullet

My experience when I was a Realtor with an investor client I worked with in the past, he kept his bid the same and 3 out of 4 times he has won the bid, not sure if the quick closing date or his Proof of Funds or no contingencies played a part in the sellers decision

Start the eviction process, I never accept a check especially at move in..maybe later down the line once I build a relationship with the tenant. With my experience once you send serve the Pay or Quit..they usually pay or leave.

I am not in your area, however I would utilize my network of family and friends, even facebook, not too sure about Angie's List (never used it). I would be careful on craigslist (scammers). It may take some time to find a contractor you are comfortable with and dependable and cost effective.