All Forum Posts by: Darek J.

Hello all,

My question is: When using a website like Cozy.Co for screening and tenant applications, would it be appropriate to have all perspective applicants pay the application fee for backround/credit check, despite knowing if they qualify or not?

I am on the tail end of an update of a unit which had a long term tenant.  I have been fortunate that all of my inherited tenants have decided to stay long term.  We will begin showing the unit next week, and for this application process we decided to use Cozy.Co primarily, while having paper applications for those that request it.  Is it right to have all applicants pay the Cozy.Co fee, even if I have zero idea if they would meet my rental requirements?  I gut says yes, however if I have 10 applicants, I don't know if its common practice with these web based rental applications to charge each that applies verses with paper applications/checks, payment can be returned if an applicant doesn't even qualify enough to have the backround/credit check done. 

What are your thoughts?

Thank you.

Hello all, 

I am looking to redo flooring and counters in a rental with 1980's Oak colored cabinets.  The cabinets are solid, and still have some life in them with come cleanup.  

My question is...Which color flooring and/or solid counter tops did you find to be the best color match for the oak wood grained cabinets?  

I will go with the Vinyl plank option with solid or granite counters depending on the cost.  From what I can tell, it seems for flooring, the options that have both light and dark wood grains seem to match best.  I am looking forward to what you have gone with.  Thank you. 

Very good advise from all.  Thank you.

Thank you David.  You do have a point.  Perhaps I am over thinking this issue since its my first turn.  I do have a feeling that since these inherited tenants had 3 cats and a rabbit, that I may have to seal the floor with something like Kilz before having some option for flooring done.  

Hello all, 

Yesterday I had my first tenant (inherited) let me know they will be moving out come June (the end of their lease).  I have owned the property for the past two and a half years.  They have been good tenants, and I have been updating the unit little by little over this time.  

The question: Who/Where do you turn to for unit updating/remodel?

I am looking to install solid countertops, possibly replace the cabinets, lay new vinyl plank flooring, and paint.  I am not sure if a GC is the person I should be looking for?  Should I give the managing of this project a go myself?  I am handy, and could handle the flooring and paint myself.  I may have to have someone do carpeting in the bedrooms, but I can lay the vinyl plank. Countertops and cabinets are a bit out of my scope.

This is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath unit in a solid B class neighborhood in Fresno, CA built in the mid 80s so solid oak cabinets are what I'm working with. I am shooting for somewhere in between the new fancy expensive A class apartments being built all around me, and the typical rental in my neighborhood.  With this unit updated, I believe I may be able to increase rent about $100 from mid $1200 to mid $1300.

This is a new part of the real estate investor typical day that I have not tackled yet.  Any thoughts?  Please let me know if any additional info is needed.  I appreciate your feedback.

Hello all...

I am a Cozy.co user as a landlord and collect rent from tenants via their service.  I would like to credit a certain amount to my tenant that pays monthly automatically.  Is there a way through the site to credit them, say...$100 to come off next month's rent?  I thought there should be, but for some reason could not find the proper option to do so.  Any advise would help. Thank you. 

Hello all, 

I'm just about to close on a Triplex.  Would you suggest having the tenants imeadiatly sign a new month to month lease?  Or allow them to continue on their current month to month agreement with the intention of signing a new anual lease come this june?  

I will allow them to stay month to month in order to get their anual lease to line us with June/July.

Let me know what you think.

Hello all, 

I am close to closing on a new property.  The first time around, I believe I found a notice format here to notify the existing tenants of new ownership and how to contact me and where to send rent payment.  I don't seem to have saved that file.  Is there a format that exists here on this site?  Thank you in advance. 

Hello all, 

I took the plunge and pick up a copy of Quickbooks Pro 2019 when it finally went on sale.  I've followed a few youtube tutorials and set my building as a "customer", then unit as a "job", and then put the tenant name as a sub job under job.  Now I am looking to learn more basic uses in quickbooks such as: Setting up expense categories, possibly splitting expenses between units, and other landlord Quickbooks basics.  I will admit to knowing very little about quickbooks, however I am a quick learner. Most of the information seems to be geared toward quickbooks online vs Pro. Is there a tutorial file, website, or video that others have used to get them started?  I'm sure it cant be as difficult as it seems. 

I am a buy and hold investor and my primary use for quickbooks is tracking income and expenses as a step up from my excel spread sheets.  

I keep coming across an Ebook from Nancy Neville, but there is very little information here or online about what I might learn from that reference.  

@Chi Nguyen I heard the recommendation on a BP podcast too,  so I've kept the site bookmarked on my browser. Knock on wood my inherited tenants continue to be model residents and decide to stay a lot longer. When the time comes though, I'll give smart move a try.