Skip to content
×
PRO
Pro Members Get Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
$0
TODAY
$69.00/month when billed monthly.
$32.50/month when billed annually.
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here
Pick markets, find deals, analyze and manage properties. Try BiggerPockets PRO.
x
All Forum Categories
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

All Forum Posts by: Angie Williams

Angie Williams has started 21 posts and replied 163 times.

Post: Pennsylvania + Philadelphia / Evictions = Sucks!

Angie WilliamsPosted
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Bronx, NY
  • Posts 168
  • Votes 168
Basically, what your stating is that both tenant and landlord are in fault of attempting extortion? One is extorting the other, vise versa. Although, the tenant who has not paid rent or utilities in x amount of months, technically isn't "attempting" extortion but, in fact already is in the act of extorting the landlord. Now, if I have a non compliant tenant with back rent that could run upwards of thousands of dollars, my cash for keys offer would be known as an incentive or buy out for the tenant to relocate in the RE business. I'm a business owner before a landlord. My properties/rentals are my business. I operate my properties as I would any other business. Myself being a "landlord" is the role I play under being a business owner. There is no legal repercussions that I or the tenant can endure as long as the appropriate paperwork and agreement meet both of the parties agreement. In fact, cash for keys is equivalent to a buy out, and unlike the court system you don't have to worry about the uncertainty if this tenant will ever leave. Actually, there are programs based around this concept and banks, lenders, agents,and home owners use the cash for keys process all the time. There is no legal recourse like said before. The legal recourse would be the eviction process I would have to go through and have been through numerous times. This includes hefty attorney fees, clerk fees, filing fees, sheriff fees, no back rent awarded, and the damage done to my property due to the negligent and spiteful tenants. The negligence of the property can cost thousands alone when said and done. I have had cooper pipes removed from my property, appliances damaged and stolen, boiler, hot water heater and laundry stolen or destroyed. Now can I bring up charges of theft and vandalism. That's becoming entirely to technical such as extorting. Lock-outs, utility shut offs are self-help evictions” and are illegal, cash for keys is not. No one has legally been brought up on charges of extortion for cash for keys in the 3 states I own properties. I'm not saying your wrong, maybe where you invest or your state would consider it extortion. But, I believe extortion is a strong word to associate a RE incentive/buy out to get an unwanted guest out of your house. Again, just my opinion and experience. Definition: Extortion - The practice of obtaining something, such as money or something of value, through force, threats, fear, or violence. Synonyms: blackmail, shakedowns, fraud, stealing, or racket. NON of this transpires when I offer cash for keys. It's a civil environment with no aggression or violence.

Post: Pennsylvania + Philadelphia / Evictions = Sucks!

Angie WilliamsPosted
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Bronx, NY
  • Posts 168
  • Votes 168
Also, the sheriffs office told us to try to pay them to relocate them before starting the sheriffs eviction. Extortion doesn't even make sense in this scenario. When you have non paying elements living in YOUR home on YOUR dollar how is paying to relocate them extortion? How about when the gas and water bill come and I have to pay them before a lien is put on my home that I can't even access, who is extorting who? I believe it to be the other way around. Their lucky we would even give them that option and give them money to leave and live somewhere else. I'm sorry but the word extortion has no correlation to homeless people living and destroying my home for free.

Post: Pennsylvania + Philadelphia / Evictions = Sucks!

Angie WilliamsPosted
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Bronx, NY
  • Posts 168
  • Votes 168
Took me around 4 months in Philly to remove squatters and a decent amount of money even without a lawyer. Cash to move is the best way to go, but unfortunately not all squatters or prior tenants will take the offer. But they do regret it when 3 sheriffs show up at the door and give them 15 minutes to vacate the premises and take what they can in that short amount of time. Once their gone make sure you have a clean out company on hand. Although the sheriffs office requires you to have a clean out company. Because you have to board up the entire home with specified materials or squatters will make their way back in quickly and you will have to go through the entire process again. We constantly called the sheriffs office and they were able to move our date up for us. Our paperwork was gong to expire before they were able to make it to our home. They actually do a great job at removing them, it just sucks the amount of money it takes to remove them. Then comes the cleanup which could be pretty disgusting under certain circumstances. Good luck, hope you get your property back asap.

Post: Evicting Squatters

Angie WilliamsPosted
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Bronx, NY
  • Posts 168
  • Votes 168
My partner and I went through this twice in Philly. We had squatters in two of our vacant properties that REFUSED to leave. It cost us close to $4,500 both times to evict them through the court system with a sheriffs eviction. We had to pay not only for all the filing fees, but we were required to hire a moving company for their belongings to be transported to a storage unit WE had to pay for under their name for 1 month. Leave them be or it becomes a civil matter, and in turn is more difficult if you try to remove them with the sheriffs office. As well as it being extremely illegal to even attempt to remove them in any of the examples you mentioned. Unfortunately, squatters and tenants have more rights then landlords. But, cash to move is the best way to go, I'm glad it worked out for you that way. We tried that with both squatters and they refused our money. Although, when all was said and done they defiantly regretted not taking our offer to relocate them on our dollar, they both ended up homeless again.

Post: Anyone out there specializing in under 30k properties?

Angie WilliamsPosted
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Bronx, NY
  • Posts 168
  • Votes 168
Every proprietary have ever bought was under $25,000 in the outskirts of Philly. Great investments as long as you have good contractors, time management, and research the areas. Although, these properties were bought at an amazing price, remember they are priced to sell this way for a reason. Not all of them, but be prepared to expect the unexpected !! Such as squatters, thieves, shady contractors! (who think the word investor means RE tycoon) Low income neighborhoods, low income population, etc. But there is always money to be made, just do your homework and you should be good!

Post: Albany, Cohoes, Troy, Upstate NY Properties for Sale

Angie WilliamsPosted
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Bronx, NY
  • Posts 168
  • Votes 168

Hi, Interested , emailing you. 

Post: Help needed for Eviction Process

Angie WilliamsPosted
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Bronx, NY
  • Posts 168
  • Votes 168
Every state is different. But, either way believe me 3 months will turn to 6 to 8 months and so on. START now! The eviction process alone takes time, close to 4 months sometimes longer. I have been through 2 evictions already, be prepared financially because it takes a lot of $$ to evict after filing all necessary documents. It's sad but in the states I have invested in the tenants have more rights then landlords, so don't expect much besides for an eviction if your state operates the same way. I never received back rent or utilities paid for. Actually, I had to pay for their moving truck and storage unit for 1 month. But that was a squatter issue. But some advise, START NOW! It's going to be a long and frustrating road. Sorry you have to go trough this, some tenants have no respect or remorse. Take this as a learning experience. Good luck, and best wishes.

Post: Duped in Dallas by $30k wannabe guru!

Angie WilliamsPosted
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Bronx, NY
  • Posts 168
  • Votes 168
I'm terribly sorry this happened to your friend. But, am I the only one here who can't fathom why your friend would pay $30,000 for real estate advice from a "guru"?!? If someone has to pay $30,000 to learn anything about real estate then I don't believe this is the right path for them at all! There is a reason why you cant go to college and get a degree in real estate. Because in the real estate business you can't be taught what you don't have, such as personal experiences, passion, or even entrepreneurial skills. I have a funny feeling this guru isn't making his money in the real estate business! It's more like scamming people into believing he's making money in the. real estate business but really the $30,000 a person he charges per course is where his fortune is coming from. Having a mentor is recommend, perhaps start off investing by becoming an agent and learning from the inside first. Also, your local real estate board holds seminars and classes free of charge for newbies. I learned a lot really quick after my first investment. I remember having to wake up at 2 am, because my tenant clogged his toilet with paper towels and I had to roll up my sleeves and for 2 hours clean up an entire apt flooded with sewer water. My second investment, I had to deal with a squatter who wouldn't leave my house. He was a 23 year old schizophrenic drug addict who would take a toilet or a sink, ohhh and my closet doors and throw them out the attack window when anyone would come close to "my" house. I'm sure a guru wouldn't teach you that. Losing offers, losing money, bad contractors, bad investments, unexpected guests like squatters and thieves, expecting the unexpected, stress, headaches, anxiety, xanex lol etc. is something a guru can not teach you. I would recommend they do their own research, take the risk and live and learn real estate that way. If it wasn't for me having those personal experiences and so many more I wouldn't be successful today. Perhaps the first learning experience your friend was just taught is to not invest in anyone else's dream but their own. I'm Sorry, if this comes off a bit harsh but you learn from experience, gurus are a scam to invest your money into their passion and dream not yours.

Post: Auctions?

Angie WilliamsPosted
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Bronx, NY
  • Posts 168
  • Votes 168
Ed E. d Hey Ed, quick question. I have never bought a property that was a "pre auction". Just curious how that process works and how I would go about a possible purchase through a "pre auction"? I have seen a couple listed under pre auction and never fully looked into it. Thanks!

Post: How do you get lists of recent cash buyers in an area?

Angie WilliamsPosted
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Bronx, NY
  • Posts 168
  • Votes 168
Hey, sorry not sure why I thought I read Cali. Anyways, remember google is your best friend. The more intricate searches you do the more you find out. I once had a tenant casually mention numerous properties I owned without him having any prior knowledge. I was actually furious, I didn't express that to him but it really bothered me knowing my tenants knew of my other properties and possibly my finances. My properties are all under my LLC. He did a general google search and found the properties I owned through our local town website. Also, I recently checked Zillow and my companies name is up there for everyone to see. Also, try like I had said advertise your interest and intentions locally for the property. Social media is huge, I personally do not have SM but know many investors who do and you would be surprised how many people randomly write him about properties.