All Forum Posts by: Cody C.

Mike is correct. The management part of rentals and the physical repair work are different.

To answer your question about repairs, personally, I grew up in a family who always did our own construction. Building houses, barns, warehouses, simple shade shelters for livestock, etc etc was just part of growing up for me. To be fair, like everyone, I have my strong and weak suites on repairs. For example, I'm a pretty good carpenter but I'm terrible at wiring.

I'm a big supporter of the best way to learn is to do mentality. If you know anyone in the construction business, even if its your cousins neighbors brother in law, hit them up about hanging out at the job site for a day. Just watch how they do things to begin with. Over time, you may be able to assist them with something.

If you prefer the classroom environment tons of Vo-Tech colleges/classes are available.

Just remember, like anything in life, skills aren't learned in a day. Be patient and know your limits. Changing something like a garbage disposal is a pretty good starting point. You probably shouldn't be ripping off shingles to replace roof decking as your first DIY job. 

I have a no pet policy, however, if I was you I would go let the dog out but politely point out to the tenant that this is a favor and in the future try to find other arrangements. Sure, there's some 'what if' type things that could go wrong, but as a dog owner odds are its a 5-7 minute favor and life moves on.

I also respectfully disagree with Thomas. What I call "an emergency" is something along the lines of a family member/close friend who was just in a serious auto accident and is undergoing life saving surgery. In that case, no, I am not getting away temporarily to go have a meal. I'm in the hospital, every minute, waiting for an update.

I guess it could depend on the 'emergency' also. If their simply visiting grandma who had her kidney removed and is in a private room fully stable and it was just a convenient vising time for the renter, then I may decline.

Its done both ways here, even on 800+/month rentals. Same with washers/dryers. Typically on units that do provide them, the lease will state something along the lines of "renter may choose to use any and all appliances, however, it is the renters responsibility to maintain all appliances in clean working condition."

Beings that's the case here, most renters actually prefer to buy what they want VS gamble on the condition of the appliance left behind by someone else.

I agree with Andrew. Here, even if the tree belonged to your neighbor, it would be 100% your responsibility. A "good" neighbor would chip in to remove it, a bad neighbor would point out that its on your property and is your problem.

Regardless, I would remove it myself. If it was a giant tree that I couldn't take care of personally with my saw, I would hire it out. Asking a renter to deal with such an issue opens a huge can of worms.

+1 To Julie. Wow.

I only have one rental (for now) and I'm lucky enough to live less than 2 miles from it and have personal friends who live in the same neighborhood. Its very easy for me to stay up with it.

You are correct, it's very common to talk to other landlords who should turn management over to someone else. Its common to get the deer in the headlights look when you start talking about normal repairs and its obvious they just turn a blind eye and hope for the best.

A little bit of a loaded question since its purely market dependent.

As stated, big box hardware stores are always a decent option. All have a pro service, contractor pricing, etc if your buying quite a bit. As far as a Lowes VS Home DePot VS Sutherlands VS Menards debate, that's a personal choice.

For my local market, I have 3-4 good quality custom cabinet shops within a 10-45 minute drive from my house. I always just rough sketch out what I'm wanting and email/drive by to get a rough bid. Whoever's bid I like most (based on turn around time and price) I have them come out and get the exact measurements and look over any issues I may of missed. On the few I've had done I've been able to get custom cabinets built at a higher quality then the premade big box store variants for just slightly (meaning less than 10%) higher cost. Worth it in my opinion.

I also have a great relationship with a local wholesaler of building supplies. He carries granite and quartz countertops, tile flooring, laminate, real hardwood etc. Some of his materials may be 2nd grade, but for a rental house nobody will ever know or care.