All Forum Posts by: Daniel Lehman

Do I need to tell every applicant why they're denied? Thus far I just tell applicants that don't get chosen something along the lines of "Thank you for applying, however, we have decided to move forward with a different applicant at this time."

I rarely ever get asked why; in fact, I usually don't even get a response from them when I tell them that.

Am I obligated to tell everyone that applies why they didn't get chosen even if they don't ask or even reply to not being chosen? I live in the state of NY.

I've been having applicants fill out applications then the one who qualifies the most from those I move forward with and have them pay for their own background and credit check. I fully reimburse them at the lease signing if nothing else disqualifies them. 

The other applicants I don't move forward with I let them all know as a courtesy that I decided to move forward with a different applicant so they're not waiting to see if they qualified.

Do I have to give every applicant a background and credit check in addition to them filling out an application? Or am I able to have people fill out applications, then the person I see as most qualified I move on to doing a background/credit check with just them?

I live in New York, but other than that I'll keep the question short for now and add more explanation/context if needed.

Yes, I will wait to respond until Monday. This is why I tell all new tenants I won't respond outside of business hours unless an emergency. I feel like if I give in and respond to a non-emergency on a weekend, they'll expect replies during off hours. If I stay consistent and don't respond to this then they'll know what to expect in the future.

I would say its the whole "give a mouse a cookie" thing. Them asking to use my personal carpet shampooer at 8:30pm on a Friday night just isn't going to happen. I'm not going to turn into their maid. 

And yes, I am the owner/PM. Someday when the work load becomes too much I'll get a PM but for now I just try and be firm but fair with my tenants and don't let them walk all over me. I know people like to have a buffer between them and the tenants, and someday I will, but right now this saves money and gets me experience.

I live in NY and own a couple multifamily properties. I have a formal meeting with new tenants where I go over what I expect from them and what they can expect from me. One of the things I tell them is my business hours are M-F 9-5. They're free to call, text, or email whenever, but unless there's an emergency I won't get back to them until the next business day.

Recently a tenant's child spilled something in the bathroom and whatever it was leaked down into another unit with new tenants. I went over there after business hours because it sounded worse than it ended up being, but better safe than sorry. I brought my carpet shampooer because they said there was an odor.

This was a few days ago. I got a text from the tenant tonight around 8:30pm (it's Friday night) saying there's still an odor and that they scrubbed the carpet even after I shampooed it and they're asking if I can bring my carpet shampooer tomorrow.

What do I do? I specifically told them and all my tenants that unless it's an emergency, I won't get back to them until the next business day. They claim the odor to smell like urine and although it's unpleasant, it isn't an emergency to me so do I stand my ground and not get back to them until Monday? Or do I go against what I told them only 1 month ago and respond to them outside of my business hours for a non-emergency.

I can see why either option has pros and cons. So far I haven't responded.

What is the minimum amount a house can be mortgaged for? I was told 65k but that would mean I can't get a conventional loan for anything less than around 80k or so figuring in for subtracting the down payment. This can't be right. Please verify!! How are people supposed to buy properties listed for 50-70k range if this is true?

I live in western NY and want to get a conventional loan for a 2-4 unit.

This is my first winter as a landlord and I'm wondering how I should go about snow maintenance. I own a 3 unit and it's about a 15 minute (20 minutes in bad weather) drive which isn't too bad but I am wondering on the timing of when I should go to shovel and salt.

I don't mind going once in the morning and once in the evening, but I'm trying to avoid going more than I have to.

Should I keep an eye on the forecast for that location and try and go when the snow lets up to make the most of my trip?

Should I go when I know there's probably not a lot of snow to shovel what's there and salt?

I don't want to overdo it but don't want to under do it as well. 

Any tips on how you guys handle taking care of snow maintenance and how you time it so-to-speak would help a lot! Thank you.

@Mark Ainley yes I would like a referral for someone who can better help me based on the type of business I'm trying to run. Feel free to send a personal message. Thank you!

I am starting a business which involves offering residential services to people in the form of lawn care, house cleaning, light repairs (drywall, painting, fixing a single fence post, etc...) and basically just doing jobs that help maintain and upkeep properties. I don't have plans to get into construction and build decks or install new fencing for example.

I talked to an insurance broker and he suggested I get property management insurance. There was some confusion because he wasn't sure if I was starting a landscaping company and needed that insurance or if I was starting a janitorial business for house cleaning and needed that insurance. Eventually it was realized that I'm basically just doing light maintenance and general upkeep for properties and he suggested a property management insurance policy which would cover all that is needed.

I told him I thought you need a Broker's license (I live in Western NY) to be a property manager, or at the very least I would need a Realtor's license. He said I wouldn't because of the fact that I won't be collecting rent and finding new tenants etc. for other people.

Now, since I don't have any plan's to collect rent for people or find tenants etc, so what should I do here? Am I okay to run a business doing things that fall under property management in the form of maintenance and upkeep without technically being a PM?

Hello, I am a new real estate investor. I just purchased a 3 unit home in March 2019. I just went through the process of finding, screening and signing tenants to one of my units. I don't have much experience but am willing to manage a property.

I am looking for someone in the western NY area (I live in Lockport) who has capital and is interested in purchasing 3-4 unit homes (or larger) to rent out who is looking for a partner that's willing to put in the time to manage properties. If you have managing experience and can pass on your knowledge and experience that's a plus, but mostly I'm in search of someone who has the capital and I'd handle the managing side of things. 

I am a pro member so I can help analyze properties using the BP calculator if needed.

Again, I know I don't have tons of experience, but I do have some experience and would be willing to put in the time to make this work