All Forum Posts by: Clint LeClair

 While I would viscerally want to light a fire under the local gov't's collective ***(et)s, wouldn't pursuing legal action be pouring kerosene on a bridge between yourself and those that regulate you?  Maybe my sweet-tooth is talking for fondness of honey over vinegar.  But if Ferndale is small enough that the local officials haven't converted their mindset from "we are a neighborhood where we all belong" to "we are a growing community where lawsuits are just part of the process of leadership accountability"- well, I'd be concerned about legislative vendettas of a sort.  Thoughts?

Maybe lemonade made would be along the lines of "New city investments to augment your new home!  Come in today and see what we have that you're current home doesn't!!!"

Forgive the side-track, but I am taking the opinion that you are deciding what level of pain you should feel before paying someone else to take care of the management side for you in exchange for some of your cashflow.  I'm of the mindset of extending tech to minimize the workload of investors/ homegamer-PM's.  Granted, I only have  a few properties.  But when rehabbing properties, I prioritize installing parts and modifications that allow for easy repair and the minimization of emergencies.  For example, when swapping out pex for copper, I put a manifold in with a dedicated line of hot and cold to each faucet/shower/toilet/washer/etc.  It might seem like overkill, but you'll see the benefit in  a second.  Then, I put in a second bathroom if there isn't already one.  Yes, I know.  More can break.  But mind you that breakage is more a measure of durability and wear and tear than anything.  So having 2 means there's a cut down on the workload a single washroom would endure.  

And here's the real kicker, if a tenant calls saying something is wrong with xyz, I tell them to call me on facetime or google hangouts and SHOW ME.  Once I see the problem, I have them go to the manifold and turn the valve off for the problem faucet/toilet/ shower/ etc.  and with another washroom available, the problem is a problem- but not a get-out-of-bed emergency.  Then, the next day, I call the plumber, electrician, etc that already has access to the unit (pre-vetted) and submit a work order.  This works extremely well for both distance and near-by units.

Maybe a little bit of this anecdote might lower your current pain threshold you're experiencing and benefit your tenants, too.

I wish this was a little bit closer to SD!