All Forum Posts by: Austin Smith

@Timothy Reed

Awesome! We've visited the area several times and have always thought it would be a good STR market. Not many hotels in the area and lots of new demand with the new NP. Best of luck!

@Timothy Reed is this your first STR in this area? Are you local?

@Michael Anderson If I get two prices to do any work and there is that much disparity between the two, you need another price.

If it’s closer to 6k, then I’d feel more comfortable with the cheaper guy.

If the 3rd price comes in at 11-13k, the 6k guy is likely not going to leave you satisfied.

I generally try to only use contractors that I can get a referral from someone I know. Ask other investors in your area who they are using and what they’re paying for similar work.

@Chris Weike

You do have the right to not accept their rent. I’ve told tenants once I file for eviction, I am no longer willing to accept rent.

@Chris Whynder as long as you meet the bank’s lending requirements, yes. There’s no special qualifications to get a commercial loan. As least with the lender I work with. Check with local lenders, think small banks with a handful of branches.

@Staci McDonough

Looks great! I’m also from Westmoreland county. Complete other end though, Scottdale area. Keep up the good work!

 He's been here about 4 years, I'd consider him a pretty good tenant. No major issues, always pays on time. 

Last January I purchased a triplex. At that time one unit was vacant, so we remodeled it before filling it. New plaster,  new kitchen & bathroom, all new flooring. Fairly extensive rehab.  This month I had another unit come vacant, so we did virtually the same thing to it. Today I was at the property dropping off some materials, and the tenant in the unit we have done little improvement to approached me. He asked if there was anyway we would consider removing the wall paneling and installing drywall/plaster as we have in the other units. He offered to pay partially for it, although I doubt he realizes what the cost of the upgrade would be.  He said he would be willing to vacation while the work was done. His rent is currently at $625, I think market rate is $775. I bumped him up $25 last summer and was planning on doing the same this year. My thoughts are I was planning on doing the upgrades once he moved out anyway, and if I could get him to cover some of the cost, it may be worth doing now.  Or on the other hand, I could say no and bump the rent anyways. But in the case he would get mad and move out, I could get my rent up to market rate immediately after the rehab. What are your thoughts, what would you do?

I'm a lawn care/snow removal contractor. I always recommend to salt every time the lot is plowed, unless it is actively snowing hard enough to the point it won't make a difference. Once the lot is plowed, it will typically be more slick than before it was plowed, due to the thin layer of snow/ice left on the asphalt. So the salt is critical. Much cheaper than getting sued. Also, see about getting a seasonal quote. Basically a flat rate 12 months per year. I do this with clients who prefer having a steady monthly payment to budget for. Sometimes you get more than you paid for, sometimes you get less depending on the snow that year. Over a few years it usually evens out.

Would this location happen to be in Westmoreland county, East Huntington Township? Private message me if you'd rather not say publicly.