All Forum Posts by: Account Closed

@Vonetta Booker  From what I can see, investors and home owners, in general, have different foci.  The former is often willing to sacrifice quality for cost...while the latter is not. 

Homeowners are usually discouraged from purchasing their own materials because they prefer the contractor to stand behind the products they install.  Most contractors will not stand behind a product they did not purchase or supply. Investors aren't as concerned about that because they intend to sell the house. 

There is, of course, a markup for materials but it's not much, perhaps10-15%. All business have markups or they couldn't stay in business. 

So, to sum up: homeowners pay more to get a higher quality job.  I know it doesn't always work that way but... :) 

No, of course you don't "have to". I was just making a suggestion. :)

@Edgar Ferrari What do you mean by, "change the roof"?  Just re-shingle?  If so, why would they need to move out? 

If you mean something else and they must be out, I suppose you could offer to put them up in a hotel for 3 days. 

@Rachel Gill I like to do 'lite-staging'...which I think is a good alternative to full staging. A few items in the kitchen and bath...maybe something on the mantle...all tastefully done....it can be very effective. 

To my mind, when I see a fully staged house with lots of furniture etc, though it looks nice, it makes me wonder if they're trying to divert my attention away from the house. 

Thanks! @Elizabeth Colegrove 

@Stephen S. I obviously have no idea of the particular set up. I was just assuming/wondering that it might be noisy and dusty to live in a duplex with the other side being a "construction" site.  I meant no offense. 

@Jean Wolfe Welcome to BP and NC!

I'd call it, "Apartment for Rent".  How will you finish the other side without disturbing the people next door?

@Alex M. Once you open it up, you will be required (depending on where you live) to upgrade everything: electrical, insulation,etc. It's a lot of work and cost to rehab a 140 yr old house but your instincts are right and I applaud your desire to do a good job. 

One thing in your favor is that it's a small house. Is it "Historic"?  Though it's true that a rehab to rental is generally different, in this case I'd say try to make it look as original and authentic as you can (trim, flooring,etc).  Many people love living in older houses and if it's fixed up nicely, it could bring very good rent.

Good luck with it!

@Jj Yip if she was a "tenant" and you were collecting "rent", isn't that income?  It seems to me it would be but I don't know... I'm just asking.