All Forum Posts by: Ashley Schroeder

I think @Randy E. gave you great advice and I was going to reitterate the same thing.  If you have a no pets policy you should have evicted when you found out they brought in a dog.  They already signed off on the lease that states there are no pets allowed, therefore they are breaking the agreement.  Also, it is your property whether they installed an alarm system or not.  If you give proper notice, have proof of this, and then enter when you state you are going to, I would think they would be held liable for any charges incurred on having the alarm go off.  It's their responsibility to leave the house unarmed if you told them you would be there, or to be there themselves if they feel necessary.  

I would double check your state laws, and check to see if they have renters insurance (my guess would be they don't) because you would most likely be held responsible for putting them up in a hotel during the tenting, but I agree on holding off until after they move out... something that will hopefully happen in the next 30 days!  Best of luck!

You shouldn't have to mention it if it is in the lease she already signed; she should already be aware of it.  I would charge her.  It doesn't matter how close or far you are from this tenant; they don't necessarily know that.  You are running a business, but we do tend to be nicer and let more things slide here in the midwest. But if you feel like it wasn't that much of an inconvenience than possibly not charging her the first time but I would in the future  (if this is a newly acquired tenant for you, this could be an ongoing issue you just weren't aware of).  

Hello! And Welcome! We have no issues with Green Bay. We currently own a SFR and are in the process of building a duplex in De Pere as well as owning a lot in De Pere we plan on putting another duplex on. We love the area and find it easy to rent our SFR whenever the time comes. We have had low maintenance on our SFR and our new builds will most definitely be easier. The nice thing about Green Bay is there is a wide range of where you could be. You could buy an inexpensive property that requires more maintenance or you can go to something new with little maintenance. But if you don't want the earning potential (and more importantly the managing of the property) then just enjoy what Green Bay has to offer! It really is an amazing and beautiful city :)

If you require all occupants to fill out an application then he needs to fill out an application.  Does he plan on keeping his job?  If not, and she qualifies, then I would be okay with him leaving the information blank (he will be losing the job anyway so what does it matter) if that is truly his biggest hang up but I would require him to fill out the application before moving in, no ifs, ands, or buts about it.  But I'm seeing red flags everywhere.  This seems really silly that he is refusing because he's afraid someone will find out.  Don't they all already know his fiance has/is moved/moving?  Most individuals can add 2+2.  He must be fielding questions with others regarding her move and their upcoming nuptials.  

Many of you are knocking the fact that she is entering grad school (in law) and getting married in 3 months... Don't hate and rain on her parade! It can be done! Why can't a girl be just as ambitious as a man?!?! Coming from a girl who did exactly what you all are knocking! Was it a struggle? Yes. And I even got pregnant my first year in grad school! Did I finish??? HELL YES! Only to switch to REI lol.... end rant for ALL SMART, MOTIVATED, MADLY IN LOVE WOMEN!

Look at the laws regarding your area; we are required to pump our tank every 3 years. Call a local company and see what they charge. By us it's only $150. So that's $50/year. Many times you can work out that the previous owners have it pumped before the sale of the home so this portion can be deferred for however long your state/county allows. I loved having well water and a septic tank because it was so cheap compared to being on the city's system (we now use our old home as a SFR and this is where our septic system is located).

I too would be leary of scaring off potential buyers who aren't techie.  What about a compromise?  A "smart" thermostat that can connect to devices yet still easy to use for any non-techie buyers.  We looked into the Nest 5 years ago when we bought our home (my husband was head of IT for his company) and we actually did not like it and went with a Honeywell.  Nest has come further since then, of course, but our Honeywell connects to our devices, allows changes with the click of our phone app, yet can be used as a straight wall unit like any older model.  I would definitely look at the clientele you are hoping to purchase the home, but I would offer something in between.

I'm confused on why you are getting so caught up in what other people think.  If you are happy in what you are doing it should not matter how you phrase your occupation.  Personally I think you're a real estate investor.  You aren't just a landlord, you don't just own something, and you aren't just a handyman.  If someone thinks that you're "rich" who cares?  If people think you are poor, who cares??? All that matters is how you are bettering yourself, those you surround yourself with, and for some, how you're bettering your community.  At the end of the day, does their opinion really impact you?  If not, then don't worry about semantics! 

Absolutely beautiful!  Great job!

Have you looked into your ability to secure a loan with those terms (5% down, 4.5% at 30 years)?  That would be the first thing I would personally check.  Depending on your circumstances your numbers may change (better or worse) and give you a better idea of your numbers.  

I'm all for second changes; especially if what he has done was that long ago.  That being said I would still go about it the same way as if it were any other tenant.  Run the reports the way they are supposed to be run.  It may draw out the process but that isn't your fault, it's the consequences of his actions.  And as you said they may not even go back that far and it may be a moot point.  I would be careful on renting to friends/family.  That becomes a hairy situation.  And just because someone makes 5 times the rent doesn't necessarily mean they know how to use their money wisely, but it does sound like he makes enough to cover rent which is really what you are looking for here.  Just use your judgement as if he were any other applicant.