All Forum Posts by: Caroline Hedin

That's a steal of a deal for house plans!  Sounds like you won't really get any say in layout and finishes unless you make changes with the contractor you choose?  Are these permit ready drawings or just a design?  No contract?

I'm not a lawyer so take all this as just my own personal opinion - I'd head to his office.  If he's an architect, he's held to laws by the state licensing agency which you can also file a complaint with.  If he's not licensed (thereby NOT an architect), I'm not sure what your recourse may be.  If he has "AIA" or "Assoc. AIA" or really anything with "...AIA..." as a title, you can contact the local chapter of the AIA and ask them to speak with him.  As a professional organization, if he's a member, they can help hold him accountable by putting peer pressure on him.

Don't stop pushing and make sure you keep everything in writing.  I'd also ask for a contract.  If you want one that protects your interests, call your local AIA chapter and they'll help you determine which one you might use.

 Interesting take on the subject.  See this discussion

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/56/topics/250301-squatter-nightmare

Yes I think that there are a number of shady practices by banks and they are knowingly selling properties that are dangerous to enter.  MEP aside, I do think someone should have a heads up before entering a structure that the structure is potentially going to fall down on their heads. 

The great thing about democracy and legislation is if you DON'T like it, well, you can propose alternate legislation or fight against the legislation being signed in to law by contacting YOUR representatives :-).

I'm not sure how many of you have been following the news about the couple in Tacoma with a squatter, but the issue is finally getting some media attention.  I'm not sure how much it will help, but there is a change.org petition started if you want to sign it.  Petition

I've also begun reaching out to my State Representative's about creating legislation that would require homes on blind auction sites (such as auction.com) to have at a minimum a structural inspection completed and posted with the paperwork.  It's a life-safety issue.  I know that MEP is also, but structural is the first step.  If you want more info on that and what I said so you can start reaching out to your representatives, PM me and I'll send you what I sent them.

@Frank M. If you hire an architect, they'll do the zoning studies for you.  New York (particularly if you're in one of the 5 boroughs) gets particularly convoluted (I've worked there, in Oregon, and in Washington State).  

If you don't want to hire an architect (some with do a quick search for your for free but it's really firm dependent), you can wade in to the zoning code yourself.  Typically, lower density zones do not allow multi-family but as the density increases, so do the allowable units.

Once you run through it once, you'll have a better understanding of what you're looking at and should be able to generally apply how to move through the zoning code of any jurisdiction.

Good luck!

I've sent the following to Representative Jinkins.  I'd love to hear feedback or if anyone has any additional comments/information that I could follow up with her on:

[short intro then]...While educating myself on being a real estate investor and a landlord, I stumbled across the website biggerpockets.com. I keep an eye out on the forums and every once-in-awhile, something catches my eye. I wanted to share the following story with you as I thought it might be of interest:

A gentleman purchased his first real estate investment through an auction website. Most homes on these sites are sold without the buyer being able to see the backyard or the inside of the property. Once he closed and was able to access the property, he discovered a number of squatters. Once he was able to get them evicted, they caused major (structural) damage which he couldn’t afford to fix and so he let the house go back to the bank. The house was put back up for auction in the middle of December and there were no notices on the sellers site regarding the structural damage to the home.(see entire story and subsequent follow-up here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/56/topics/250301-squatter-nightmare?page=1#p1723341)

Here’s the issue. Squatting aside, the bank is reselling/has resold a property that is unfit for occupancy. Not that big of a deal if you know what you’re getting, but they did not/do not list any known issues with the property. I’m sure the bank would claim no knowledge even though the original poster likely told them about it (all assumptions on my part but they seem like fairly safe assumptions in this discussion).

What I’d like to see happen. Can we get legislation enacted which would require each home on these auction sites to have an independent inspection completed and the inspection report posted with the auction documents? Maybe it’s not a full inspection – maybe it’s just a structural inspection (foundation, beams, load-bearing walls, roofs, joists).

Why this seems to be a legitimate request. While lack of plumbing or electricity is a health issue, structural integrity is a life and death issue.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and thank you for your time. It is greatly appreciated.

@Erik Trefzger I completely agree.  That's bs.  The bank is probably going to claim that "they didn't know and had no way of knowing."  I wonder if sending this to elected officials could get some legislation changed.  I'm going to try.  What can it hurt?

@Jeff Rabinowitz sites like auction.com often (at least in this area) don't allow you to enter or inspect a home prior to purchasing.  Many people will go peak in windows but the auction website specifically states this is trespassing so it's a "risk" if you do.  The OP should have offered cash-for-keys but likely he didn't know about doing something like that (this was his first post).

@Peter Woodward that is true but the document also has Tacoma guidelines in it.  While the property is actually under Pierce County jurisdiction (not Tacoma), both Tacoma and King County provide decent guidelines...I haven't been able to find any guidelines for Pierce County specifically and haven't heard back from them :-).

@Dana Dunford for mentioning that).

The $48 is for sewer, also mentioned in a different part of the ad not showing but I'll try to clarify that too.  In reading other people's ad's in the area, it seems to be pretty standard to place that adder on the rent.

Noted about the evictions and criminal activities.  I pulled those from a post here on BP but I like that clarification better.  My husband and I have had a number of conversations about our requirements.  We want to be flexible because I historically was someone that on paper many on here wouldn't rent to (bad credit, moved a lot, some slow pay but always paid) but all of my landlords were happy to have me as a renter, so we're trying to remember that.

Our intended market is (was) college students but we missed the bullet for most of that pool by not having the house ready last August.

 Thank you for catching that @James Townliand

A year later and we're finally ready to rent.  I'd love feedback from anyone in Washington State (in particular the Tacoma area) on our advertisement.  We've done quite a bit of research and seem to be within the law...but this is our first so I'd like to be as certain as we can.  Following is the advertisement (followed by photos):

Property Description

House near PLU

We are renting a newly renovated home just a couple of blocks from PLU. Refinished hardwood floors in many areas, one carpeted bedroom, and new laminate in the master bedroom. Large backyard and simple, easy to maintain landscaping. Incredible view of Mount Rainier!

Washer and dryer are provided in the laundry room, a new high efficiency furnace has been installed, kitchen and bathroom have been completely refinished. Includes a dishwasher. New roof to be installed in next month.
Note: fireplace in master bedroom is non-working.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Gross income must be three times the rent and must be documentable (meaning income must be $3,750/month or $45,000/year)
No evictions or foreclosures in the last 5 years
No felonies or other criminal activities in the last 10 years
Landlord contact information for last two places you've lived or the last two years - whichever provides more contacts
Co-signer is acceptable if you have no rental history (co-signer must meet all standards and may be subject to additional requirements upon review)
No pets/animals over one pound - no exceptions
All occupants must be on the original lease (no sub-leasing)
All occupants must be met by property manager/owner (exceptions for military personal with recommendations and contact information for commanding officers)
Maximum occupancy = 4 adults or 2 adults + 3 children
12 month lease
No Section 8

Required for Move-in:
1st months rent ($1,250+$48)
Last months rent ($1,250+$48)
Damage Deposit ($750)
Utility Deposit ($150)
TOTAL $3,496

Rental application fee paid by tenant. Online application. $35
Must have valid US social security number

Blocks from PLU, Wilson High School and Keithly Middle School. Moments to 512 and one exit from I-5. Minutes from JBLM and McChord AFB.