All Forum Posts by: Debbie Zimmer

@Dave Sisnetsky  I'll take your "big" loss and raise you an even "bigger" loss.  I feel your pain :( 

Michael,

What a great story.  We are looking to obtain a few VRBO/Airbnd properties.  Question -  What is the easiest way to determine if a property is zoned-approved for a VRBO/Airbnd?    Thank you

Thank you everyone!  It does make sense that they are collecting money for their tools, insurance, etc.  This helps a lot, as we are all trying to make a living :)

Hi Everyone,

I'm struggling here and need educated (I guess). When it comes to getting tile work done, why isn't the labor for that just calculated by an hourly rate like everything else?  Why isn't it as easy to pay someone $50-$60 / hr to lay tile?  Why do they 'charge' by the job and then inflate?  For instance:  our last project, the tile layer charged us $1,500 for a day's work for 2 guys to install our kitchen back splash.  When doing the math - that is $187.50/hr divided by 2 guys.  That's a pretty damn good day's pay.  Why do they feel the need to charge by 'job'.  I mean, at my day job, I make so much an hour - it doesn't matter if i'm working on a spreadsheet or changing the paper in the copy machine - i'm still making the same per hour.   I'm frustrated and confused as a rehabber trying to make money!

Thank you everyone.  My question was preliminary as I was working on our rehab budget for the flip.  I've learned, we do need to put in an egress for each bedroom (we have only added a single bedroom in lower level before this).  Thank you all!!

Hi - We will be putting in two bedrooms in the basement with a Jack-n-Jill bathroom in between.  Do both bedrooms need their own egress window, or can we install one in a central location?   I'm in Cincinnati, Ohio

Thank you!!

Thank you @Joseph M.  I've gone to a couple "Parade of Home" shows recently, and doing one big slab of granite or quartz seems to be the in thing.  It does give it a nice, clean look.  I like to stay ahead of the curve in design, so if it's around the same cost for a high-end look - I will definitely look into doing it. 

Hi - 

We just completed our first flip and will be beginning reno on our second.  We didn't make any money on our first one due to the high, high cost of labor (we are partnering with a seasoned contractor who pays his guys well).  One of the trades that we spend a lot on was the tiler.  The kitchen back splash was the most expensive and time consuming.  Has anyone put up slabs of quartz vs tile for their back splash?  It it more cost effective?  How do buyers respond?   We are trying to get our costs down for this second one, while still keeping it as a high-end renovation.  

@Mike Walsh  I agree with you.  Unless you know Louisville, you don't know of all the great events happening all year round to attract folks from all over.  People come from all over to tour the bourbon facilities, the concerts, river events.  I'm from Cincinnati and we make several trips a year down there and we normally stay at a B&B, but would love to use a VRBO / AirBNB.  Good Luck!!

Hi All,

We are looking to do our first enhance and resale, and are contemplating entering into a partnership with our contractor.  We have worked with them on four other projects (three personal and one on our rental).  If we do a (flip), we need a crew that can be dedicated to the job, so going in partners with him seems like the way to go since he would have monetary motivation to get the work done quickly (his crews are usually spread really thin; therefore causing delays). He is interested in working together and we told him we would put together a proposal.   

First, is this a good idea?  Second, are there any watch outs or things that should definitely be spelled out in the proposal/contract?  We are proposing that it be a 50/50 partnership, with us handling/managing the money and budget part, and him managing the crew/trades schedules. Both would have equal say on the floor planning/design, etc.  He is a great contractor  with a good crew who does quality work, so I would love to see a long-term relationship develop, but want to be careful.   

Has anyone done this and partnered up with a contractor on a flip?  Any advice?

Thank you!!  You all are so much help. 

Debbie