All Forum Posts by: Charles McCabe

Hi, Cheryl, I know this is an ancient post, but I just happened to run across it and it's still relevant and had no responses, so I figured it wouldn't hurt if I chimed in.

I'm a landlord and I operate a lead dust sampling business in Philadelphia, Delaware and Montgomery counties in PA.  For a Lead Safe certificate (which shows that lead dust levels are within tolerances and has to be re-done periodically, as opposed to Lead Free, which shows that there isn't any lead to worry about and doesn't have to be renewed) almost all scenarios can be remediated by cleaning or repainting (followed by cleaning, of course).  In most cases, the lead dust comes from window frames.  If the sample(s) that tested over the threshold were from under a window (which is the norm), you probably need to address the window frame/sill and I'd recommend just cutting to the chase and painting them.  You might also want to limit opening and closing those windows between remediation and testing.

What remediation did you do and how did your retest go?

@Joseph ODonovan  I'll tell you what I can, which I don't think is a whole lot.  Basically a realtor who focuses on the Brigantine area and works with investors is going to take the group around to some available properties, talk about some that she's already sold, etc.  And there will be several people attending with significant experience renting properties there.  They'll be able to talk marketing, rates, ordinances, etc.  Now, I can't swear that you can still get in on it, but if you connect with me and give me your e-mail address, I'll forward a relevant e-mail.

@Benjamin Bardo Of course, @Rich O'Neill makes perfectly valid points, but don't forget that there are costs beyond the mortgage.  I don't know anything about Ocean Pines, either, but taxes are killer in many shore areas.  And for seasonal rentals, you're paying utilities and cleaning costs.  Don't forget about home owner's and flood insurance.  And maintenance.  And if your primary residence is in PA, I'm guessing you're going to have to pay for property management, as well, which is higher for seasonal rentals than for long-term.

I've done a fair amount of research and calculation on Jersey shore rentals and I've only found a couple where the numbers seem positive.

DIG has a subgroup dedicated to vacation rentals:  http://www.memberize.com/clubportal/EventDisplayNe....  NB: There is no 21Mar meeting; that meeting will actually consist of a field trip to Brigantine NJ on 24Mar.

@Cristi Lucas See this post and my comments in it: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/530655-anyone-heard-of-this-organization-sounds-similar-to-section-8

@Andrew Scott  Welcome.  "after moving around for the last 10 years" You sound fairly mobile.  Consider house hacking to get a feel for landlording.

I was just reading @Bettina F.'s reply.  All good info.  I would add that in some cases (e.g. Hedwig House), the entire rent is being paid by the organization, and the lease is being signed by the organization in addition to the tenant, making them fully liable.  That being said, many of the questions that I had e-mailed were around liability and I never did get a response, so your mileage may vary ; >

There are lots of organizations doing similar things.  Harwood House, Hedwig House, Horizon House (yeah, the names, LOL).

I've called Horizon House in DelCo and MontCo each two times and left messages that were never returned, despite the "front desk" person telling me that they're always desperate for landlords.

Someone from Hedwig House contacted me from one of my listings, brought a prospective tenant to look at the unit, and said she'd take it.  Then I completed their property approval form and e-mailed them some questions and didn't hear back from them for 2 weeks.  And the person who finally contacted me was some inspector looking to evaluate the property.  At that point the unit had long-since been leased to someone else.

So...great idea but so far a lousy batting average.

Try @Ray Peslar.

I spend most of my time in Conshohocken, BTW.

Done and done. Thanks for reminding me, Dave.