All Forum Posts by: Andrew Martin

just an FYI   I've tried calling him twice and got voicemail both times with no call back.  Not the kind of agent I'm looking for.

Our Safeco policy just went up about 50% so need to find other options.   Does anyone have a local insurance broker that they have used and would recommend?  

Andrew

Hello,

We are in CA and have rentals in WA. I need an insurance agent to price out a couple of policies for me. We have a Safeco policy that just went up about $500 from last year on a Duplex.  Any insurance broker recommendations for rentals in WA?  I may find out all pricing is the same, but I can do a little homework before I give up.

thanks

Andrew

Anita,

I'm from San Ramon and having the same thoughts and issues that you have mentioning. I went to Boise recently to check it out in person, and found that house prices have risen higher than rents and I'm not going to invest out of state to "make" $200+- per month. One water heater kills a years cash flow.

I'm looking for more duplex's now as I find the cash flow to be better than single family (in most cases and in the one's I've investigated). 

I'm going to do more digging around the Eugene OR area and see it that makes sense. I'm curios if anyone else has different suggestions.

Andrew

This stuff happens all the time in my market. I'm an agent myself, but one way to get an offer accepted is to have the listing agent represent you. I'd rather give up my commission than to overpay for a house. Listing Agents in my market are trying to double end every deal, so buyers are now trained to go to the listing agent directly and avoid this "multiple offers coming out of nowhere" mystery.

thanks.  The house is in Brentwood and there's about 2 other houses for rent in all of Brentwood that are even somewhat similar. So, I know I'll rent it quickly, just wanted to reduce vacancy to as little as possible. Zillow say's there's 13 homes in all of brentwood for rent. 

I'm looking for suggestions / advice.  I have a tenant that giving their 30 day notice and will be out by the end of June. To avoid much vacancy, I wanted to start advertising now and showing the house for a July 1st ish  move in date. 

I went to the house yesterday and it's pretty clean (from a dirt point of view), but they have stuff EVERYWHERE. Not hoarders at all, just love to shop i guess and buy stuff. The rooms are pretty full, the garage is full, etc. etc. etc.

I think I'm wasting my time showing it before they move, but then I will kill the month of July probably while someone gives their notice.

Any suggestions?

thanks,

Andrew

Great post and good lessons that can help all of us. Congrats on your first deal.

What was it listed on the MLS for?

It's been very frustrating trying to get some work done on a duplex in Tacoma. Does anyone have a handyman / contractor that is looking for some work? I need a new bathroom floor / subfloor replaced and linoleum put down. 

I've been turned down by a few people that are too busy, and others that are no-shows. 

Please help if you know anyone good that's looking for some small jobs.

Andrew Martin