All Forum Posts by: Eli N.

Hi @Mark Nolan, @Cyndy Trueblood, @Guy Gimenez, @Randon B., @Account Closed,

I just posted a few quick questions on the below BP forum - I'd love to get your feedback:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/231...

Thanks all in advance :) 

Eli

Thank you guys so much!

Appreciate all the advice and feedback @Jake Johnson, @Jeff V., @Jennifer L., and @William Butler.

I'll begin using the recommended different tools, sites and software and will let you know if I run into any challenges.

I was wondering @Jake and @Will what precautions and tweaks you had introduced to your lease contract to possibly include in the form that I download?  

@Jeff and @Jennifer, how do you charge your tenant for the application/background check without losing too much time while making the process smooth and efficient?

Thanks again y'all!

Eli

Howdy to all the BP folks from Austin, TX! 

I have a few questions related to Rental Forms, Tenant Screening, Automatic Online Payments (site recommendations and setup), Utility payments, so here they are:

1) Can someone point me to where I can download a Texas rental pdf contract to Condo/Apartment/Town-House, that I can also send to a new tenant to complete and sign?  It would be great if all can be completed online with signatures (as it will save a lot of time, as well as paper).  I am hoping the lease will allow me to tweak it a little (example: allowing/disallowing pets, specifying how early in advance to vacate, early termination penalty fees, adding parents as backers to the lease, etc).  

2) What's the best way/website to screen tenants (and specifically students and younger adults) and how can I add another individual (parent probably) to the lease to guarantee timely payments?  Is there a preferred/trusted site where I can run credit-history/criminal-background/employment-verification checks without paying too much?  Are there any other checks I need to account for (not sure if bank-balance is also attainable).

3) How can I setup automatic payments (automatic bank-draft) between the tenant and landlord with reduced fees (as it saves time dealing and cashing checks).  And how much $ deposit do you recommend before move-in?

4) How are utilities (gas, electricity, sewage, water, garbage, energy, etc) handled between tenant turn-over? (Who collects bills?) And do you have to switch them back to your name and then to the new tenant, do you keep them in the first tenant's until the new tenant signs the new new lease, or is there a third option (assuming most of which are not covered through HOA)?

5) Are there any recommendations as to where to post the Condo/Apartment rental property online (besides realtor.com to avoid losing the first rent on realtor fees) - not sure?

6) Any tips you recommend to watch out for (based on your personal experience) and/or are there areas to always consider/account for before a tenant gets a hold of condo/apartment keys?

Thank you all very much and in-advance,
Eli

Thank you Benjamin!  Have a great weekend :)

Thank you Randon* :)

Such an amazing crowd! :)

• Thank you Brandon, hope you're doing great! 
• Hi Scott, appreciate it and will do! Thank you in advance and have a great weekend! 

Cheers,
Eli

• Thank you Mark, I will certainly do so! Appreciate it.
• Hi Cyndy, thanks for letting me know! I'll definitely try to swing by sometime during lunch hour. I'll make sure to look out for you :) Thanks again and hope to see you soon!
• Thanks Guy for your message and advice. Yes, please do send me a link to your MeetUp group so I can join you all when time permits. Thanks

Great to meet you Mark, Cyndy and Guy and talk to you soon!

Best Regards,
Eli

My name is Eli and I'm just starting out with real estate! 

I currently live in Austin, TX and interested in rental property to start off my investment portfolio.

I love playing sports (particularly soccer) and enjoy solving problems especially when others have given up.

Looking forward to meet the wonderful folks here on BP!