All Forum Posts by: Brian Detlefsen

Hello Landlords and Property Managers. How are you filling a vacancy during the Corona-virus?

I'm in Elgin, Illinois and have gotten feedback such as:

-Business as usual (i.e: individual or group showings).

-Virtual tours only.

-Potential tenant tours property by themselves.

I just placed an ad for a vacancy that I have and am looking for any suggestions as to how to handle actually showing the apartment to potential tenants! Thanks!

I've used the Trafficmaster Allure Vinyl Plank Flooring in three apartments so far and no problems. It will scratch if you push a refrigerator across it (ask me how I know this), but the scratch is not deep or very obvious. Otherwise, its very durable. All of the tenants say that they like it and prefer it over carpet as it is easy to clean with a Swiffer, no vacuum required.

Many of the posts above hit on some key points. From my experience and in summary:

1- Floor must be clean and flat. Fill gaps, cracks or holes and flatten out any bumps, they will show thru. It can be installed on cement or wood.

2- Roll the seams of the floor as the instructions direct. No one mentioned this yet and I'd bet that many have not rolled the seams. Even though this grip strip is impossible to get apart, they need to be pressed together so that they do not develop gaps in a year or two.

3- Don't glue it or put a screw thru it. I believe the toilet sitting on top of it is ok as it can still move under it if needed.

4- A nice clean caulk line at the edge of the tub will work fine and look just fine.

5- I have not had to repair any sections yet, but am anticipating it to be a nightmare...

I hope this helps. I think we are all in search of the ever elusive, indestructible, easy to install, super low cost flooring.

Let me know when you find it.

Here is a closer photo.

I am in the process of buying a 15 unit apartment building. I will be closing in three weeks. There are currently 8 satellite dishes mounted on the asphalt shingle roof. I am including in my lease that dishes are not allowed to be installed on the roof. The current lease has no mention of dishes, etc.

How do I:

(1) Get the 8 dishes that are currently on my roof, off?

(2) How can tenants mount dishes moving forward?

I was thinking of mounting a 4x4 to the front corner of the building, near the white downspout, so that the dishes could be mounted to the 4x4 instead of directly on the roof or siding, etc. The dishes need to be facing South. See pic. Mine is the brown building. As you can see from the pic, the neighbor has them directly on his siding. I absolutely do not want to do this either.

I am in the early process of buying my first 4-unit apartment building. What is the 1st (2nd, 3rd & 4th, etc) thing I need to do once I close on a newly acquired property? It is fully rented, needs some maintenance but not a rehab. 

Hi David,

I've lived in the area for 22 years. I have used Rice HVAC for about the last 10 years.

Rice Heating & AC, Inc. 1036 Lunt Ave, Schaumburg, IL. 8475241960

Most likely, the owners wife will answer and schedule a visit. The old man does a great job!

What kind of property do you have in Elgin?

-Brian

An owner of a 4-unit house contacted me and was interested in selling. It's in good shape and on a corner lot with off street parking. I'm concerned because on one side of the house is a Gospel Baptist Church and directly across the street on the other side of the house is a Catholic High School. I'm concerned that this is a very high traffic location and may not keep tenants very long. Am I over thinking this? Are there other things that I should be more concerned about?

I'm currently evaluating a 4-unit building and need to make a decision because all 4 renters are Section 8. I have heard pro's and con's to having section 8 renters. Some people love them, others hate them. I feel as though I'm not taking everything into consideration. Since I love lists, let's make a list of Section 8 PRO's & CON's.   I'll start.....

PRO's

Guaranteed on-time rents every month.

Higher rental rates (in some areas)

Annual inspections (to identify if tenant is abusing property)

CON's

Renters have a entitlement attitude.

High risk tenants that may damage your property.

Section 8 bureaucracy

Hello BP! I've been a member for a while now, listened to almost all of the podcasts too. I am an electrical engineer and work at a manufacturing company that designs and builds electronic circuit board assemblies and electro-mechanical assemblies. I’m heavily involved in the business side and the manufacturing side. I’ve been in this industry for 25 years now and looking for a change.

Twenty years ago, I almost bought my first triplex, or 3-Flat if you’re from Chicago, but instead, got married, bought my own house and started a family. Life went on. Fast forward 20 years and I’ve educated myself and now I am done sitting on the sidelines. I work my *** off in everything that I do, which has advanced my career to where it is today. I am applying that same focus to my real estate career now.

I am passionate about multi-family buildings and am interested in creatively acquiring 40 doors within the next five years. My 25 years’ experience in management and business has given me hard and soft skills that I can easily transfer to real estate and property management. I’m focusing on the far North West Chicagoland suburbs such as: Elgin, South Elgin, Dundee, Bartlett, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Hanover Park.