All Forum Posts by: Bill O'Donnell

@Dan Heuschele

I have a real question for you. How do you screen your tenants. I have a rental in a sanctuary city. I get applications from people who can not be checked for credit or criminal background they have no social security numbers. Cozy can't give me a report. How can they be screened.

This goes beyond our opinions on whether they should be here. How can they be screened.

Our eviction law, and the new limits on security deposits, make it riskier than ever to have a problem tenant.

@Michael Baum

No worries.

Bunk beds are ok for kids. Just not for adults, in my opinion...

Just my 2 cents. Best of luck

@Michael Baum

I don't own or manage a short term rental.

I do sometimes stay in them.

I never book places that put adults in bunk beds, or put more than 1 bed per bedroom for adults. Personal opinion for what its worth.

@Erik Whiting

I have been in functional steel buildings built in the 50's. Depending on your climate, they will need the roof painted every 5 years or so after the first 20 or so years. Sunlight is the enemy of the paint. The more sun and heat, the more often they need paint. The walls typically outlast the roof, so paint them to maintain appearance as needed. Choose the most reflective paint you can find, especially for the roof.

Some metal buildings have rubber washers under each screw. Keep an eye on them if you have them. Potential weak link.

Not all buildings have them though.

@Nicholas Brady

You absolutely can be a success without a degree.

You should still get your degree.

Buy a house near the school of your choosing, and house hack as you go.

You can be successful without it. But knowing a little bit of law. A decent amount of accounting. Something about banking or finance will serve you well. Not to mention that if now or in the future you ever decide to work for someone else, or pursue a license, you may wish you had. Get it done while your credits are not expired.

You can start in real estate while in school.

@Max T.

Thanks for your response.

I have chosen to pick up a mold test kit from hd. Turns out it wasn't a mold problem, just a smell in the carpet. The carpet was cleaned and redried. The problem is solved. Thanks to all. Im happy. The tenant is happy . All for about $20 and a little elbow grease.

@Sue K.

I appreciate your opinion. I am trying to keep this tenant because they have been a great tenant, and to some extent they have a point. However, if they become overly demanding, or request a termination, I will reconsider your suggestion.

I figure that the place needs to be cleaned, any mold present needs to go, so i might as well take care of it quickly without a turnover if possible..

@Andrew Schrader

Thank you for the advice. Ill give it a try.

I am a landlord. One of my units is a basement apartment. Recently there was a slow leak from the boiler, a drip for less than a week. The tenant was away and the leak was discovered, reported and addressed upon their return. Fans were set up to dry the affected areas. The area is dry now.

That was about 2 weeks ago. The current issue is a concern about mold/ mildew. Apparently the air quality has changed.

Questions.

Can mold or mildew take hold that quickly?

Its carpet tiles on concrete. Do i bleach,

replace, or hire a pro?

Any do it yourself test kits you recommend?

Any advice on cleaning, killing, that I can do myself?

I don't see any evidence of visible mold. There is a faint smell. Would a shampoo help?

I do not want to harm my tenant. I want to do the correct thing. But I prefer doing it myself whenever possible.

Any good natured advice is welcome.

Thanks

@Jessyka Bailey

Good luck in your hunt. I won't say that you won't find what you are looking for in Brooklyn, but it will be very difficult.

If you have trouble don't give up. There are easier areas that are commutable to the city. Look toward NJ., the Bronx, and further north of the city up as far as poughkeepsie. Or consider Connecticut along the i95 corridor.

Opportunities are out there, but lower cost areas tend to cash flow better. However, if you find a deal in Brooklyn, or close to The city, you'll likely get appreciation. Coupled with tenants paying all or most of your mortgage, you'll end up in a great position if you can make it work.