All Forum Posts by: Carrie Smukal

I have heard of two occurrences in my city where someone purchased a home and the city would not turn on the water unless the plumbing was brought up to code. Typically these homes are purchased without inspection and the plumbing not being to code may not be known.

These are typically foreclosures in which the city has removed the water meters from the home. What I understand is that the city may not turn on the water unless they are allowed to come into the home to inspect the plumbing first. I do not know these people so I cannot ask them about it; so I am asking all of you if you know what the circumstances may be in which the city can force themselves into your home like this.

It totally seems to be extortion to me. If I purchase a home, nobody should be able to come into my home and make me do anything. It is MY home. If I wanted someone to control me I would have joined the armed services.

A fellow landlord and I discussed this subject. He has talked about there being beagles or some other kind of dogs that can detect bed bugs. We were wondering if you could have your unit "certified" by this dog and that way you can prove that your unit was clean prior to the that tenant? Don't know if this is really an option as I have not researched it. Anyone else heard of this?

Congrats Andy! I have purchased quite a few homes with only the inspection of my eyes,and I'm no inspector! Sounds like price wise you got a great deal. Hopefully there won't be any major surprises, but if the utilities have only been off for a short time, I'd say your chances of success are pretty good.

Hello All,
I am new to BP also and I live in Racine. I have a few rental properties and want more; that's where you all come in. I am struggling with my financial decision making so that i can retire in 10 years and become a snow bird. Enough of this cold weather! Anyway, would love to meet all of you in my area and learn what you know. Let me know when the next meeting is; unfortunately I am a second shifter so hopefully a weekend meeting will happen sometime!!

I have joined an online landlord association that I have been very happy with. You can get any documentation you want, books, forms, advice. You can also do your background checks, report tenant debts to credit bureaus, find loser tenants, etc. Check it out; MrLandlord.com

@Jenna Stonecipher

Wow thanks for the link Jenna. Whether or not anyone would come after me, NO house is worth that hassle or risk.

Yes Kris, I've got my realtor on it and hope to be the 1st the day it opens up to me. Thanks. Wish me luck!

OK, underneath it all i know you are right; I'm not a law breaker. I just thought maybe there was something that I didn't know. I've got 6 properties already but have just been winging it the whole time through. I will just have to wait out the time and if it's not available then It wasn't meant to be. I have actually just started talking to some banks about their foreclosures instead of waiting for these houses to get to realtor.com. I'm learning quite a bit from Bigger Pockets. Thanks!

I am an investor and have lost out on a few houses because the houses are offered to "owner occupied" offers first. Anybody know of a creative way to get an offer in without actually occupying the house? I thought about having my boyfriend who lives with me buy it, then gift it to me. Other people have said that the seller will not know that I'm not going to move in. I'm just afraid they are going to know my name already; I have purchased homes from this seller before. It's hard for me to lie because i have always been an honest person, however I don't want to keep losing out either. What should I do?

i would buy 2 cheaper properties. Most likely you will have more income even in depressed areas. Most likely the property taxes will be cheaper also.