All Forum Posts by: Dawn P.

You can absolutely manage one rental by yourself. 

I use a Google number in my ads but vetted tenants get my personal cell, I tell them during the application process I'm the owner/manager. I used to use a PO box but it sat collecting dust for years so I don't bother anymore...I've had people find my personal residence by looking me up on the online tax records. 

Calling wire shelving "a hazard to life" is a tad dramatic, lol.

Since you offered to pay half already for their unauthorized purchase, do only that and stand your ground.

I'm in the middle of a DSCR cash out right now, super easy. I only had to provide insurance/mortgage statements and the lease agreement, no tax or bank statements.

I would rather deal with all the crap this business throws my way than ever work a W-2 again. I've fought with roaches, snakes, ants, fleas, raccoons, and termites. Cleaned up after floods and hurricanes. Found jars of weed, syringes, and a crack pipe. Replaced subfloors that were so soaked in crystallized dog pee it made your eyes water and throat burn from the ammonia. Laughed at my realtor who ran out of a flea and roach infested house I wanted to buy after he refused to go back in.

Two weeks ago I had a tenant complain of a bad smell - apparently the kitchen drain had been leaking into the crawlspace for a while (old cast iron pipe fitting). There was a large pool of what smelled and looked like light brown diarrhea, and my go-to plumber refused to go under there. So I took my shop vac and sucked out 8 buckets of smelly glop in 105 degree heat while trying not to gag. Called a total of 7 plumbers before I found one to fix it - I just physically couldn't get the old fitting off.

None of that makes for cute TikTok videos or pretty Insta photos, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Like Jim said, I enjoy working on houses and IN my business. I'm making myself rich, not an employer. 

I've gotten the majority of mine through Zillow, but I do applications/screening through apartments.com.

I'd definitely get another quote or two, I had a contractor replace 12 windows for me and it was right at $5,000. I've never had good luck with Lowe's installation people.

Yes to dishwashers, no to garbage disposals. I remove every disposal I come across.

I don't do individual appointments anymore, either. I'll advertise an open house from 2-4 on a Sunday afternoon and around 5-7 Monday, depending on what I have going on. I've always had plenty of people show up and haven't had to do more than two showings per vacancy.

And like others have posted, I do little touch ups around the house/yard while I'm waiting so no time is wasted.

It's not a hassle at all, since I don't have that many turnovers. Several people have said thank you, some have said nothing. 

I've always left a roll of paper towels, small pack of dishwasher tabs, small bottle of glass top stove cleaner, a new shower liner and a roll of tp in the bathroom in each rental at turnover. Costs me less than $20.