All Forum Posts by: Brett Lee

Curious what people's thoughts are on home warranties and whether they are worth it or not? We have heard very mixed reviews with some people saying that they are terrible and other people saying they're great. We had a decent experience with the home warranty years ago when our oven went out and they replaced it. I currently have a home warranty on our house that was included by the real estate agent when we bought it a year ago... Wondering what people's thoughts are on whether we should renew or not.

Our house is about 30 years old and still in the original furnace. Ideally if there were a company that a warranty would cover the roof then that would be a no-brainer so if anybody knows any leads for companies that will warranty a roof in addition to other housing components that would be great.

I appreciate any input you guys have! thanks :-)

@Dylan Speer

Tell me more about how to get into treasury. My money is camped on 3.10 cd waiting for better deals which should be coming in the next 6 months or so ..

Can you get money out of Treasury quick?

@Kar Sun

I am unhappy with my tax increases the last couple of years and I'm sure you are as well. But it is what it is and that also transfers to increased rent etc....

@Elias Barend Westhof

Have them buy you out and move on. Sometimes doing business with family is the worst idea

We have had rentals for close to 15 years. However, our rentals we have managed are pretty modest and we have been able to find good tenants via friends/family as there is a demand for inexpensive rentals.

We recently bought our dream house in the country and are planning on renting out our primary house as opposed to selling. House is very nice 2300+ SQ foot with new carpet etc.. we want to get the right people in that will not just make payments but also take great care of our house.

My question is WHAT questions do you ask prospective tenants to find out more about them etc without violating any fair housing laws etc? I really cannot afford if someone trashes our house or skips payments etc...

Any wisdom or insight would be greatly appreciated!!

@Justin Rush

So true about bridge tolls keeping crime in Tacoma. Never thought of that before LOL

@Alicia Marks

About an hour south of Seattle we are seeing homes on the market a little bit longer as well as a slight decrease in prices. It seems like that crazy bidding war days are done. I just listed a house a couple of weeks ago for 699 with anticipation of multiple offers and a winning bit of around 725 based on comparable sales. However the first week came and went without any offers. And then the next week we lowered the price 10K and got an offer for 685 which we accepted. The interest rate increases seem to be decreasing buyers ability to pay top dollar. The market is definitely not tanking but signs look like it'll be slower and slightly decreased prices.

@James Free

They could be applying and then looking for you to slip up on your wording and rejecting them so they can sue you. There are some people that do this full-time with no intention of ever renting a place they just try to look for people that will say something like not willing to rent a section 8 or something else and then sue you. Know the laws and be careful what you say or don't say. Sadly there is a similar thing occurring in Eastern Washington with a scumbag and his buddy lawyer that drive around to businesses that they never even go to and Sue over ADA discrimination if doors on old buildings are too small or there isn't a ramp etc.

@Nathan G.

It sounds like they were trying to do a bit of a bait-and-switch in regards to what they were looking for. In regards to maximum people her room sometimes it depends on the situation. There is a family in one of my rentals that had three kids when they moved in about 5 or so years ago. They have had two more kids since then which definitely makes their house a bit tight but I know they are trying to buy a house and they're good people so I'm not pushing them out or anything. If they were rude people or were trashing the house or something that might present more of an issue but they're taking good care of it and they're good people.