All Forum Posts by: Brad Taylor

@Joe Splitrock Yeah, I hate stuff that's over-engineered anyway and prefer simple solutions that are durable and appropriateto context.

Appreciate your suggestions!!

@Michael Sloan Awesome, thanks for the suggestions Michael!

@Victor Buquer It's a common front door but then individual interior entrance doors for each unit.

The garden unit (mine) has a separate entrance.

Just about to close on my 1st househack rental!  I have to replace some of the locks and wondering if I should just make the jump to a keypad or smartlock instead of the cheaper/traditional lock for all units?

Love to hear suggestions about pros/cons or experiences with any of you folks who've utilized these as replacements.

Installed this at my GF's house.  So...couple of things... One of the things she wanted was to not only repel any intruders but to know if one of her kids tried to sneak out.  NOTE that a small magnet taped to one of the sensors will stop the sensor from activating the alarm, thus allowing anyone from the INSIDE the ability to exit undeterred.  Of course, the camera and motion sensors will pick up movement, but if a kid wants to jump out the window and go see their friends, this is a super-easy bypass that most of them will figure out with a little Googling.

The video doorbell (initially working properly) had to be replaced when I changed the Wi-Fi password.  Really?? Yes.

The new video doorbell could not connect either.  They are sending a Wi-Fi extender free of charge.  We'll see.

They don't have ANY cameras that would be considered robust and "outdoor," in order to monitor entry/exit from outside the house.

The cameras do not have any additional mounting gear that comes with them.  This seems very odd to me, as the current configuration involves just a metal stand that allows the camera about 30deg of up-down movement. So it has to sit on something. Usually you want it on something high, right?  So I should sit a security camera on an impermanent structure high in the room that I MAY have?  Why not some ceiling/wall/cabinet mounting gear?  Why not allow the video to be turned 180deg if I hang it upside down?

Jury is still out whether I like this system yet.

@Jacque Fairbourn

I certainly hope that you didn't think I was trying to portray DoHardMoney.com in a negative light.  I was simply stating the facts of my experience.  And I agree with everything you've posted here.  I do think your company can provide a great service to the right person at the right time, and I do think it's unfair that people don't understand your intent to do your OWN due diligence so that everyone has the least possible chance of getting into trouble on a deal.

@Justin Fraser Fantastic work and love the courage and smarts to jump in!! How great to partner with @Matt Faircloth (I just got his Private Money book!).  I hope to get there someday soon myself!

@Troy Williams Unless you've got someone who can thoroughly scout the area for you and knows it well, I would not advise investing in South Shore, especially if you're from out of town. It's block-by-block, and the areas that are tolerable are usually just SFH. Rents are going to be much lower and tenant pool quality is difficult.

This is a little bit off-topic, but has been a fascinating thread to read. LOTS of differing opinions. As a guy new to the REI world, this makes me want to be even more cautious.

I have been driving around the city’s south side a lot in the past week, simply because the north and NW side is mostly done, in terms of deals.  I wanted to see if there were ANY possibilities, or if I was just looking at a difficult neighborhood to work (although tons of still-beautiful cheap properties).

I was incredibly saddened.  Chicago truly has the most beautiful residential housing in the USA.  Block after block of beautiful brick bungalows, 2 and 3-flats, craftsmanship and design and care in construction so evident from just a drive by.  But these incredible neighborhoods have fallen into such disrepair, crime-ridden, drug-infested.  So unbelievably sad.  Just south of the beautiful South Shore golf course, I could see that someone with a vision, money, and city connections could TRANSFORM this area into a neighborhood that feels like a port/waterfront. Bordered by the train-tracks to the west, it could have an Eastern Seaboard vibe.  This area could be an extraordinary draw for people.  So much potential, and yet there were vacancy signs everywhere, lots of boarded up buildings.

There are a few blocks here and there, and I even talked to a few people on the sidewalk.  Some folks ARE taking chance by buying in and around there.  It seems there are some solid working-class and middle-class blocks.

COULD Chicago’s southside still have potential?  Or is just more of the issues that come with low and ultra low-income tenants?

I wish I had some way to execute on that vision...

Best of luck to all Chicagoland investors here!!

I think it’s great to see these actual numbers posted because it’s helpful to see ANY side-by-side analysis.  However, @Ray Harrell has a huge point that “your mileage may vary”...  There are many areas of Chicago that will never work this well for a tourist-driven short-term rental.  So much of it is about location (near tourist attractions or for business people, near a work-site), access to transit and highways, available amenities, etc.  This Wrigleyville unit is close to being the absolutely perfect locale.