All Forum Posts by: Bill Mauldin

Like Ed, I also go to single handle valves as well as remove windows.

Sometimes I'll leave the window in place while framing up the inside to hang my hardiboard. On the outside I will generally frame and fill in with homemade shutters.

DONT SCRAP IT!
I had the same thing happen last month, now I have a new work truck.

Lock it up first. Next check with your state, in Oklahoma I can file for a title 42 after I've had possession of a vehicle for 30 days. There are small companies that will file the paperwork for cheap($75). They send certified mail to lein holders and current registered owners. If any are interested they now have to pay you a storage fee of 30 days to get it back!
If no one comes forward the state will look over the paperwork and issue you a clean title for this truck. Hopefully it just needs a battery like mine did!

Your rent ready costs are way too high. I maybe have $600 invested after a good tenant has left. Also I always repaint the walls and do a once over clean up and I'll shampoo the carpets if there are any.

This is managing the properties myself. I usually paint and have my employee cleaning and touching up other things. Usually takes 3 days max on a 1200 sq. ft. house.

Here's what I do.
I bought a 16 ft. bumper pull flatbed trailer. I then built removable 4 ft sides and rear gate. Attach a 20 ft chain to an old wheel and tire at the front of the trailer. Pile junk on trailer.

Now at the dump usually they will do "pull offs" by attaching a dozer to your chain. As the dozer pulls your wheel out all the junk just slides right out.

Now you have a cheap dump trailer and a usable flatbed to haul materials.

Flatbed = $1500
dump trailer <$4500

Another vote for pex. The stuff is great; cheap and easy to work with.

My properties all rent for top of the market or above. So I don't feel like I can or should raise rents. My average tennant stays about 3 yrs.

However I've got one tenant who has had the same terms for 7 yrs. I think this summer when I put a new front porch on the house there will be a slight raise.

Bryan I haven't even considered taking that route. Our rental market is so strong with quality tenants I'm not even considering selling with financing. Currently I'm carrying 1 note and I really wish it was just another rental.

I generally don't keep a whole lot of cash. Usually when my reserves get large enough I'll buy another property. However, I've got a large LOC extended off a free and clear property to satisfy any unforeseen expenses.

Forgot to mention always have a bucket with clean water and a sponge close by. It seems my hands and trowel handles always get messy. The sponge can be used to clean thinset from the tile gout lines. Also a speed square is really handy to draw cut lines and take measurements.

I've been tiling several of my rentals as they become vacant. First I purchased a tile saw from harbor freight for under $300. After the first two jobs it had paid for itself. I've done about 10 units now and my personal house.

I like 12 or 13" tiles. I think 16" is the largest my saw will cut at all angles. The larger the tile the larger notch trowel you'll need. 1/4" or 3/8" for 13" tile and 1/2" notch for 16" and up.

I use thinset on all floor tiles, I only use mastic on backsplashes. I don't feel it sets as good as thinset. It's pretty easy to mix. Add water until you reach the consistency of peanut butter.

One of my guys mixes glue and cuts tile while I lay. Go slow always take measurements to make sure your straight and square

Also get some quality knee pads and enjoy!