All Forum Posts by: Bob Beach

We purchased one house from Midsouth Home buyers and it's been mostly trouble free for going on 8 years. 

@Nathan Gesner Actually, the PM came highly recommended, on this website. I did a search for PM's in Jackson and I saw this PM mention a few times in the posts. I PM'ed to posters to confirm. That's why I don't want to say who it is. "probably" just the plumber that's the issue. I PM'ed the same to posters, now 8 months later to see their experience. Only one responded, so far, so good. 

  A couple commentors mention, pay a little more, get professional opinion. That's why I had Roto-Rooter go out. Someone I will trust. We have 6 doors in TN under two PM's. They both do OK but one I'm on the phone a few times a week with them. Mainly, a couple houses are in "challenging" areas with suck tenants. Never had a major issue with them, just have to kick start them once in a while, on an empty house. 

  Our one house in Jackson, I will be more hands on and all repairs have to go through me. The PM is good about checking with me first but only 2 issues in the last 8 month. 

Thanks for all the responses and getting my "shady fee" compass back to north. 

We have one rental in Jackson and now on our second property manager. First was Evernest, (never again). Now, a Mom and Pop style PM. I don't want to say who since I'm not 100% sure what's going on. First red flag, the PM brought up a small "safety hazard" repair. A couple 6' boards and paint for something like $500. Then, a plumbing issue. They brought in a "plumber", said the house had multiple leaks in the pipes, needed re-piping and concrete broken up to fix the second leak. Estimate is $4500. I had Roto-Rooter go get me a second estimate and they say, "there's no leak. Water pressure holds at the meter. Pipes are fine and doesn't need re-piping".  Total cost to me = Free estimate. 

Anyone investors have similar experience?

@Angel Mora 

One year ago, I had a very similar experience as you with Evernest. It started with Allen contacting me and the pass offs started from there. There were a number of issues, but the big one was a "repair" charge they lied about. The new tenants didn't know how to lite the brand-new stove. Evernest said they had to pull a permit from the city, have the stove inspected to make sure it was safe for the repairman then they could look at it. They found nothing wrong and the stove was fine. Charged me $450. I asked to see the permit and they couldn't come up with it. I contacted the city to get all permits and the only one was one that my contractor got that I paid for. I later found out that the tenants googled how to lite the stove and solved it themselves. Four months of arguing with different people and I finally got my $450 back.  

After that, I changed PMs' and a year later, still not sure if I'm safe from "cash grabs." 

I hope it works out and post anything that's positive with the next PM.

Quote from @Ashley C.:

Hi Bob

We are a family owned Property Management Company and we have plenty of experience with owners and investors, and we have encountered every crazy situation in Jackson that one might imagine. We can get to the bottom of this for you easily. We know a lot of the other PM companies in the area, and we're familiar with the city and permits. 

This certainly sounds intriguing, and also sounds like you could use a trustworthy company instead of those shmos.

 Let's connect so I can I be of service!

Talk Soon,

Ashley 

 Sorry, late responses. Didn't see notification.

This issue, I believe is finally resolved. After 2 or 3 months of emails going back and forth arguing over the $450 charge, I finally showed my hand. I knew they didn't get a $150 permit since I requested all the permits on the property since before I purchased it. I didn't tell them this since it was kinda fun to see them struggle to explain the charge, After we were all set up with the new PM and felt safe...  BTW - the new PM asked the tenants about the stove issue and the tenants said, "They didn't know how to start it but they googled it and figured it out on their own". So the PM must have fabricated an invoice to justify the charge. So I finally told the PM I had requested all the permits and the one they charged me for "did not exist". After that, they said they would escalate to management for my refund. And I did get it. In addition, their owner statements were so convoluted, that I'm still not sure if I got all my rents from them. The owner statement showed no rent for August, but one employee sent me a handwritten statement showing August rents. (about the time the house went to the new PM).  I'll research a little more one I get a chance. 

Thanks for the replies, Bob

Hi BP's,

  I know, I'm late to the party but just did my first search on BP for Yuba City area. I have one rental in Marysville and looking for recommendations for a PM. I used Trident about 10 years ago and mixed emotions. Sounds like many on this thread have experience in the area.

Thanks in advance,

Bob

Quote from @Bill B.:

Good luck. Maybe reach out to local investors as to who they use and if they’re happy with them. 

Did that exact thing and started the new PM yesterday.



"Depending on the municipality appliances that use gas (water heater, furnace, stove, etc) often have to be hooked up and operational before the utility will turn on the gas and close the permit"  My contractor only had to have the gas lines and new meter tested (after the permit) and that got the gas on. 

"File a complaint with the State Commission for fraudulent charges."  That's sounds like a good idea.  I've thought of a complaint with the BBB but with the state, sounds more intense.

Thanks for all the good advice.

Quote from @Bill B.:

You’ve got another problem. 

“New stove” and “light the pilot” don’t belong in the same post. 

The standard prohibited standing pilot lights in gas ranges and ovens that have an electrical supply cord. In a 2009 final rule, DOE extended the "no standing pilot light" requirement to include all gas cooking products whether or not they have an electrical cord.

Yes, you're right.  It's been many years since I had a gs stove and I grew up in the 60's, 70's so, I think "pilot light". Looks like its battery ignite stove, and I also went back to see what my contractor texted me and he said, "...didn't know how to light a gas stove for the first time". So, it looks like he taught him how to start with battery ignitor. 
  This PM didn't require 12-month contract to be completed. They have a guaranty, if you're not happy, you can drop out at any time with no out of pocket money. And they actually initiated the off boarding. Which I was planning anyway.  They were problems from the beginning.  As soon as on-boarding was complete, it was hard to get return calls, texts answered, emails answered. Then, they lie about the permit. I start my new PM tomorrow. 
  Thanks for the response and clarifying my stove. 

Not paying them, is not an option.  They collect rent and withhold the fees they charge. 

At one point, one of the reps agreed, after I presented "my" permit, that the charge was not correct and would reveres it.  He's no longer there and they went back to the original story. Now, they have one delay after another. (Research the permit, research the accounting, escalate to management), and no $150 permit or credit. 

  I think it's a scam since no one has ever heard of this non-sense. Thanks for the input. 

I have a handful of doors in TN but now, one in Jackson. 

My PM is telling me something I've never heard of. I rehab the house, they found a tenant, I had new appliances installed and the tenant didn't know how to light the pilot on the new stove. He called the PM and the crazy story begins. I was charged a total of $450 for them to go out to help the tenant. "Their" story is, since it was a new stove, they had to pull a permit ($150), from the city, have the electrical inspected, the stove inspected before it was "safe" for someone to work on it. In the invoice, they did not find anything wrong, (other than they leveled it), but it did work when they turned the stove on. They say this is a "Normal procedure". I asked to see the permit and for over a month, they have not come up with it. Only the permit that "my contractor" got for the gas meter. I contacted the city and got copies of every permit for the past 6 months and theirs is not one of them. 

I've never heard of this, and my contractor has never heard of this procedure. Has anyone with MS experience gone this route?

Thanks,

  Bob