All Forum Posts by: Chris Merchant

That is quite unfortunate, it seems the calculator section would be the best mobile feature, access to the tools right on site of a project...

Can't add a bathroom? Why so?

Definitely do something with the fence, vinyl fences are popular around me instead of the wood.  May also consider hiring a landscaper to come in and spruce the yard up, get rid of the wild bushes, grass in the driveway etc... remember 1st impression is a lasting one, when people pull up or drive by you want them to say "that looks like a nice place, I wanna live there" instead of "wow this yard needs a lot of work, it looks abandoned".

You want people to want to live in your house, you don't want them to need to live there.  If they want to live there they are way more likely to take care of the place versus if they need to live there. 

I have heard nothing but good reviews of mini-splits and many contractors, guys in the HVAC world I know say they are the new wave of HVAC.

Awesome! Congrats on your first MFH deal and welcome to Bigger Pockets!

 If your state/local law says you must give at least a 5 day grace period than whether it is 1 payment a month or 4 payments a month you can't charge a late fee until the 6th day of no payment, so if you tell your tenant their rent is due the 1st and 15th than you can not add a late fee until the 6th and/or 21st.  But if you decide to split the payments for her have an addendum made stating the new terms so that she understands the new agreement.  

You really need to check your state/local Landlord/Tenant laws at the very least and/or contact a local attorney that deals with such stuff.  For the most part the landlord/tenant are fairly easy to understand without a law background but they vary so much from location to location that it is extremely hard for anyone on here to offer accurate advice for your situation not knowing where you are.

Very helpful thread, interested in this as well.  Was actually just discussing it in PM with another member!

I have a policy to never accept partial payments, therefore by not depositing the checks you should be fine (depending on your area).  By depositing the check you have accepted it and accepting partial payment will in most cases deflate your eviction case as most courts look at that as an agreement to settle.  By you simply holding onto the check but not depositing it you have not "accepted it" as you can return it to her, but make it clear that rent is due in full at the date listed in the lease no exceptions, and let her know in writing that partial payments will not be accepted and will be returned until the full amount due is provided.  Being that she has already defaulted on a payment with insufficient funds I would also notify her in writing that only certified funds will be accepted from this point forward.

I would also send all notices via certified mail with return receipt requested to her don't let her say you never sent it.  

And also keep copies of EVERYTHING.  <<Should go for all correspondence with any tenant in which business communications take place.

My leases all state that alternate means of heating aside from those provided with the property are strictly prohibited and the use of any alternate form of heating needs to be approved by management prior to use.  I have not had issues but allowing tenants to provide their own alternate form of heat is very dangerous, I have seen tenants start fires in small metal trash cans to "heat the bedroom".  Also I have a few electric space heaters in the event of a heater breakdown that I can deliver to tenants until the HVAC system is repaired.

Having done Fire/Arson investigation and inspection you'd be surprised some of the things people will do to try and heat interior living spaces either "cheaper" or to a higher temperature then their normal heat will provide, most of the times this ends in tragedy. 

Another option you may have depending on your bank is get the new construction finished and appraised then get a HELOC on that as if there is no lien/mortgage on it, it has 100% equity...

Some banks are hesitant on giving more than 1 HELOC but it never hurts to ask.

@Taylor Michels I like the idea for sure