All Forum Posts by: Chris M.

I'm still in the stage where I'm managing my properties myself as I only have 3 units now and 2 of them are around the corner from my house. My day to day is stressful so working on these places myself is almost an escape for me.I guess when I hit more units then I'll farm out the work. Still building out the rolodex on maintenance contacts.

My mom gave me the advice for the single color back when I bought my first place. It makes small units look larger. I've taken to using glidden commercial matte paint for all rooms and semi gloss white for the trim as I've seen the matte finish hide any blemishes on the walls better and the semi gloss makes the trim pop.

I haven't painted a ceiling in one of my rentals yet. Kinda dreading having to do that since my walls are a different color from the ceilings. I'll have to look into the approach that Jeff takes.

This is excellent information and something I have been looking at doing for my next place since it took forever to roll and cut the last one.

Can you expand a bit more on the equipment you use and if you modify the paint mixture at all before spraying?

Hi all,

I'd like some advice on a place that I'm currently zipping up with a tenant likely to move in Nov 1st.

The kitchen is original and the condo was built in 1983. So lots of fake wood laminate and particleboard. Some areas are getting soft but it's serviceable for at least a couple years. It was an all cash deal so I'm looking to recoup after rehabbing the place.

So here is the question. I replaced the dishwasher when I started on the kitchen. The brackets screw into the underside of the counter, which are made of particleboard and crumbling pretty badly now. The screws can't grab hold and I could see bigger chunks of particleboard coming loose as the dishwasher door is opened and closed.

So how would I approach this as a temporary solution before I replace the kitchen? I was thinking of gluing/screwing a long thing strip of wood under the countertop edge and driving the screws into that. Before I go that route I just wanted to get some other suggestions that might be more feasible. I'm a little worried that the strip of wood would come loose eventually as well.

I just refinished the tub in a condo I bought a couple months ago. The previous tenant had chipped off a slice of the finish and installed (badly) a sliding door, which was broken.

On removing the door and track the finish on the tub had worn through to the metal. The wife picked up a tub refinish kit from Lowes which came with two rattle cans, prep pads and gloves. There is a slogan called 'Tough as Tile' on the box. Cleaned out the tub with bleach, scoured it with brillo pads and wiped down with a tack cloth before masking off the tiles around it and spraying it down.

The original tub was pink, the new finish, white. I made short sweeps when painting and used up pretty much all of the paint in one shot. It self leveled and looks great. Its not glossy as a new tub would be but if you didn't know it was refinished, you would think the color was original.

I've done another tub about 5 years ago but that was a roller-based kit and there were some runs and drips. The plumber that eventually took the tub out 2 years later was impressed with it though. Replacing that tub cost me almost 500, including the tub and I retiled the bath myself.

Thanks for the greetings guys. I've been reading all the forums religiously ever since I joined and I've learned a lot so far.

@Michelle, I signed up for your newsletter and will probably contact you once I get this last vacant property rented and build up some reserves.

Hi all,

My name is Chris and I'm a newbie investor located in Miramar, FL. I currently own 2 rental properties and manage another one for my mom. One of the rental properties is free and clear while the other one I own has a first mortgage and a heloc on it (former primary residence).

I'm looking into expanding my rental portfolio with the prices in Broward County being so low at this time. Looking forward to soaking up as much advice here as possible and being able to contribute as I grow in experience.