All Forum Posts by: Elizabeth B.

@Jean Bolger  We are actually from CO and moved away for a job promotion...IN MINNESOTA.  Why, oh why did we ever do that???  Anyway, we are in the Chicago suburbs now and are hoping to return to CO (Lakewood)  in the next year or so.  I'm doing market research now to get a feel for what we can expect to pay and need to save for a MFH.

Thank you all for your helpful responses!

I personally love animals, but am hesitant to allow them in my future rentals because of damages, liability, noise, etc...   I also hesitate NOT to allow animals because it feels like everyone and their brother has an animal in CO and pet rent is a nice bonus to the bottom line.  I feel like I'd be alienating a large pool of prospective tenants if I don't allow cats and dogs.  I've kicked around limiting the size of the animal to under 35 lbs, partially because I personally feel bad for large animals stuck in small units without running space.  My husband is very allergic to cats and I worry that since he'll be doing a lot of the maintenance that this will negatively impact his health (I should also mention we would be house hacking a MFH in metro Denver).  CO landlords-- What has been your experience with renting to tenants with pets?  In addition to pet rent, do you have any additional clauses in the lease regarding pets?  What is considered a reasonable pet rent? Anything else pet related you would like to share, feel free!

@Brent Chauvin  50% rule?  I'm REALLY new to this.  Care to enlighten?

We are looking to move to Lakewood, CO from Chicago. We are thinking about starting our investment journey living in a duplex, triplex, or 4-plex. I'm confused if I should be researching the recent comps like I would a SFH or paying more attention to what's for sale and looking at occupancy, rental rates, and cap rates?