All Forum Posts by: Arthur Schwartz

I charge a $150 pet fee for one or two dogs, and $30 of that goes to the cleaners. I think your $75 to the cleaners each time is excessive for ordinary stays.

I had a problem with a dog being left unattended in a powder room, and it scratched the door, jumped up and bit the blinds, and broke off a toilet paper holder. So I bought a large dog crate and set it up in the master walk in closet (the only place I had enough room), and I tell guests ahead of time that it is there for their use. I bought 2 pet blankets from Amazon to cover the beds when dogs will be up on there. My cleaners only leave them out on the beds when the guest is bringing a dog(s), I send the cleaners the dog info with the bookings. They wash the blankets in between guests. I also have a small basket of microfiber cloths in the laundry room, labeled "Cleaning Rags, if you use these please wash and return". Guests can use them to wipe muddy feet. I supply brooms, a vacuum, and everything needed for guests to clean up after themselves and their dogs.

I haven't had a lot of problem with dogs tracking in grass because I have a beach house, but maybe you should look into some larger door mats, inside and out, that will help grab the grass and mud off their feet as they come in. Some door mats are scratchy and hard, but you need a softer one, more like carpet, so the grass sticks to it. The farther a dog has to walk on it, the more grass and dirt will come off, so larger is better. Google mats for dogs' muddy feet and you'll see some.

I really liked the idea of having a large dog crate ready!

1 Vote

In addition to a contract with a licensed general contractor, have it written into the contract that a "project manager" will independently assess whether certain work was done well prior to your sending payment in full for that piece of the project. The project manager can be a home inspector or a second licensed general contractor. that person is your boots on the ground.

1 Vote

Memphis, Tennessee

Three advantages for the seller are first, that the total amount the seller receives is often greater from seller financing than a regular sale; second, the capital gains taxes are spread over more time and won't push the seller into a higher tax bracket; and third, if the buyer defaults, then seller can get their house back.

0 Votes

Seller financing

0 Votes

Huntsville, Alabama

If there is equity in any or all of the homes, there are plenty of lenders which can do a "portfolio loan" in which the equity in that home or homes is used to pay the down payment for the mobile home park.

0 Votes

Mobile, Alabama

Because of the location, I would check on a) whether the property is in a flood zone or is going to require flood insurance from a lender? and b) what is the probability of a hurricane or tornado? I recommend a free website, First Street Foundation, where you can type in an address and get info on the risks. In a flood or wind storm, mobile homes, generally, do worse than stick built homes.

0 Votes

I would contact a local title insurance agency and pay for a one hour consult.

0 Votes

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Who is going to manage the property? How is someone evicted?

0 Votes

Charlotte, North Carolina

Call the county or town zoning person. See if the lot can be subdivided, so that each cabin sits on its own parcel. If it can be subdivided, financing will become much easier....

1 Vote

Asheville, North Carolina

Hi there! I now own an STR in Dallas. Yee haw!!! However the property management companies seem to want a minimum of $50K in gross rent. Are there any property managers who may take a property with less revenue? Thank you, in advance for any recommendations!

0 Votes

Dallas, Texas

All Forum Posts by: Arthur Schwartz

Arthur Schwartz has started 21 posts and replied 141 times.

Post: STR Pet Guidelines/Fees

Post: Managing a renovation from afar

Post: Seller Financing Explained (High Level)

Post: How to Buy a $2.9 million MHP

Post: Mobile home park opportunity

Post: Louisiana MHP w/ seller financing

Post: Federal tax liens on Foreclosure property

Post: Thinking of Buying a Large Home and Renting Rooms

Post: Looking to refinance two STR's on the same property

Post: Property management for STR in Dallas