All Forum Posts by: Robert P.

@Christine Swaidan If you aren't strapped for cash, go ahead an replace it. I think being proactive is ALWAYS better than waiting for something bad to happen. Especially when it services 20 units. What types of headaches will you have when all 20 are complaining they have no hot water and want a "discount on rent", etc.  You are taking the right approach to replace it now. 

@Steven Yu The first step would be to take a step back, capture yourself, then address the issue in the right way. By no means should you react on the spot and do something you will regret. 

My thoughts:

• What will raising rent do? Do you think by raising rent you can use that extra money to buy new flowers each time? Or do you want to raise the rent in hopes that they will leave? You say they pay rent on time each month and generally cause no issues. Is it worth it to have them leave? Perhaps, just get rid of the flowers.
• DO NOT call the police. That makes no sense. They are not throwing rocks at cars, they are bouncing a ball on a porch and damaging your flowers.
• People are right. Even though you live there and want to make it like a home for yourself, you still have tenants there. Anytime you can't control how someone treats your things (tenants), you need to make it as indestructible as you can.

In short, I think the easiest and less stressful approach would be to remove the flowers from that spot. As much as you want to stand for principle, it's the best approach to take. Trust me, I have made some hot head mistakes, but have quickly learned its better to swallow your pride.

@Kurt Stein Love your thinking! I am the same way. I think the tenants will appreciate the gesture and it will help your relationship with them. My motto is always "Show the tenant you actually care about their well being" If you can show them that, and not just be about collecting a paycheck, you will be better off. 

@Account Closed You mentioned you have given a credit towards January rent. May I ask how much of a credit you gave them?

I have been considering this, but for example if you are giving $25, I think a $25 gift card seems like "more bang for your buck" than a $25 discount off a $900 rent.

Thanks, @Jim Sakalis, that's what I figured, but wasn't sure if anything else could be impacted. 

I have an entry way floor that I am trying to figure out what to do with. Sorry I don't have a picture, but let me explain. 

It's a two-family home. The floor I am referring to is when you open the outside door into the hallway leading up stairs to 2nd floor. It's about 30-35 sqft.

Right now it is old beat up looking hardwood. I was thinking about laying over vinyl floor tiles. (my thought is that it would be good to do this to protect wood against snow/rain, etc.

Options:

1. Should I lay vinyl floor tile over it?

2. Should I just stain it and throw a poly over the hardwood?

3. One piece vinyl floor?

4. Anything else?

Doesn't need to look "pretty", just needs to have good utility and make sense for this high traffic, possibly "wet" area (since it's the first floor directly from outside)

I just purchased a 2 family home which is being rented out. Are there any NEGATIVE things, tax wise, that come from purchasing a home? I know I can write off expenses, etc to help me out....but anything with a negative impact?

I know it's a very broad question...just trying to get any advice/thoughts (general advice/thoughts are fine!)

Hard to go by numbers that owners may provide. 

I just purchased a home and the landlord said the water bill averaged ~$90/month. It is a two family home and it averages ~$50 or less/month WITH washer/dryer...score!

It all depends on who is living there I suppose. Perhaps the old tenants took 3 showers/day?

Here are a few pictures. Just a simple/light grey (actually next time we will go a little darker as this is a littler lighter than we wanted). But looks great! I even replaced the old "nipple" light in the dining room with this $45 black chandelier type fixture. Great extra touch for cheap.

The paint is below, but I don't remember the color off the top of my head.

We paint our units Grey with white trim/doors. Everyone loves it, we still get compliments on the look from tenants when they have guests over. I think it's simple, but makes it feel more like a home, rather than a rental compared to your standard white/off white.

I have a tenant on permanent disability. Pays early each month. Money is money, shouldn't matter where it comes from (as long as it is legal money).