All Forum Posts by: Diane Stinebaugh

@Ralph R. thank you for all your input.  I read every word and I agree with you on training the tenants everything you say makes sense.  and I had never heard of cash for keys from a land lord before, I didn't really see how that would work.  I appreciate you explaining it.  and you are right:  "time is the key thing" but in my context, I see that letting him slide to the 15th put me in a bad situation.  If I could get a non paying tenant out early in the month I have a chance to get a new and hopefully better tenant in by the first.  at least a chance, anyway.  

@David Dachtera, at this point I'm hoping he comes thru, really.  He and his wife work for a school district but they are classified (not teachers or principals).  So they have jobs 10 months a year. . .  and he seems to have a leadership role in his church and wants to do right.  He got a great reference email from his boss (a principal).  <sigh>  the whole thing just makes me nervous. 

@Wesley W.thank you.  I will make sure that my lease will have a part about 

the reimbursement of fees associated with the reinforcement of the lease terms.  I appreciate the info!

here's an update.  He just paid about 70% of the rent and late fee a few minutes ago.  and again says he will have the rest next week. 

I figured everyone would say start the eviction process!  and I needed to hear it.  thank you.

Hi everybody!  I'm a newbie.  bought my first house in February and had it rented May 1st.   Late July my tenant sent me a text with a sob story about a fraudulent check he deposited, he wouldn't have the rent on the first and could he pay the 15th of August.  He works at a local school district and I thought maybe that was payday.  So I said yes.  He said that the summer "dried up" he couldn't get a job.  ummmm.  This is Northwest Arkansas, there are jobs everywhere.  the 15th came and he said this special check he was supposed to get didn't come in the mail.  NO RENT $.  I gave him his 3 day notice. He said he would have most of the rent Friday (the 18th).  guess what?  NO $. 

big question.  Do I go ahead and call my lawyer on Monday and start the eviction?  or wait one more day. 

meanwhile, I did a walk thru on the 15th.  He keeps the house nice and clean, the lawn is mowed. and he never bothers me.  during the walk thru he said they never use the dishwasher because it didn't work.  Not a dirty dish in sight.  He had never bothered me about the disherwasher.  ends up that it does work, he just didn't know how to use it.  

I appreciate any input. 

@Jason D.

ooooooooh, ok.  thanks for the heads up!

@Jason D. and @Rick S.,

what's the thing about the 3 years and equity?  I have equity in my current primary residence.  and I thought about moving back into it after buying and moving into a duplex or buying another house that I prefer to live in. 

@Jason D., your first response cracked me up!  

thanks, @Moe Ahmed,  I actually  don't want to improve my lifestyle right now.  I want to improve my cash flow and increase property.  And yes, I have thought about buying a duplex and renting both sides, but I think I could get a nicer, bigger duplex by moving in for 2 years.  Just kicking around ideas.