All Forum Posts by: Courtney Downtain

Investment Info:

Single-family residence buy & hold investment in Houston.

Purchase price: $102,000
Cash invested: $10,000

3/2 SFR located in North Houston occupied by faithful paying renters that take care of the property.

Hi Everyone!

I am looking for a reliable maintenance company or “handyman” for my newly rented property located in zip 77073. I self manage the property and would prefer not to do any repairs myself. If you know of someone qualifies professionally, please give them my email or provide their contact and I will reach out. Thank you!

-Courtney

@Angela Smith it took my current tenant less than two days to get their response back from Cozy. Hope this helps!

@PJ Singh I’ve heard great things about open houses. Thank you!

@Matthew Paul I love your process. Thank you for your input!

@Mike Dorneman thanks so much. Great points and it gives me a lot to think about. I won’t use the lock box.

Hey everyone! My new property in Houston is now rent ready and currently on a few rental websites. I should be getting calls about my property soon. My question is, how do you show your properties? Is it smart to use a lock box and allow the potential renter to view the property unattended as long as you get a copy of their drivers license? Or do you always have to be with them for every showing? I’ve heard stories of people showing their homes 8-10 times and I feel like there has to be a better way than taking time out of your day 8-10 times for one property. Though, if that is the best way so be It. I‘m Open to all constructive criticism and advice as this is my first property. Thank you!

@Rick Albert it sounds to me from previous answers that it really depends on the area you live in. Get online and check out homes in that area and see how many have them. Here in Houston, we love our dishwashers. Most homes have them here. If you get a middle of the line dishwasher they aren’t that expensive and can last you years. If you’re worried about your tenant using too much water, include that in your lease agreement. $X amount is included in your rent for water usage. Any amount used over $X amount will be billed back to the tenant in their total rent bill. Wish you the best of luck!

Hi Everyone I am looking for a reliable property maintenance vendor for my newly on market rental property. Someone who I can reach out to regarding miscellaneous repairs needed on the property at the request of my tenant. Property is located in zip 77073. If you know of someone qualifies professionally as a maintenance worker, please give them my email or provide their contact and I will reach out. Thank you! -Courtney

I would give the tenant all of the information for the MUD that controls the water for that area when we sign the lease.They call and have it connected. If they don’t, they won’t have water. Im just wanting to know if anyone ever had issues with that in the past? When I bought the property a year ago, there was a tenant living in this property and according to them, there were no issues with plumbing. Nothing came up on my inspection report either. I just want to be able to run the water through the pipes to make sure they aren’t getting any stagnant water that has been sitting in the pipes for a year when they first move in. And I also want to make sure the new fixtures are connected properly. It’s a good point though, I could have it turned on now(instead of a year ago) in my name and test everything. It may cost me a couple hundred bucks, and that’s fine. I just do not want the water to remain in my name.