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All Forum Posts by: Ann Watkins

Ann Watkins has started 10 posts and replied 168 times.

Post: Laptop/Tablet Recommendations?

Ann WatkinsPosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston, TX
  • Posts 186
  • Votes 110
Originally posted by @Jon Holdman:
Lenovo's are far from perfect. We have these at the day job for both laptops for routine use and loaded with Linux for software development and testing. And drivers make us absolutely bonkers because Lenovo will change the video chips (in particular) without changing the model number and we have to struggle with getting the right drivers in place. But once set up right they've been pretty solid. As bad as they are, other windows machines have been worse.

Yes, yes so true. I realize bad units happen, it's that Lenovo not seems unwilling to admit they have an issue. Things don't work, I get that...but mitigate with excellent response, great customer service and a hearty willingness to fix the problem. That's the old Lenovo.

Now I'm getting "send it in" ..which we all know is a major headache...but then so many folks are saying when you get it back it's the same issue.

And the part that really burns me is they make you go through all this wasted time on the phone "triaging" the problem when they are already aware of the issues. They waste my time acting like they have never ever heard of their machines dropping the Wi-Fi. Only to end with "send it in".

Post: Laptop/Tablet Recommendations?

Ann WatkinsPosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston, TX
  • Posts 186
  • Votes 110
Originally posted by @Troy Fisher:
@Andrew Schultz has got it right. If you want a light-weight tablet that's much more than a tablet. A surface 2 is perfect. Pictures, Excel, Web. Love it when I'm at a property to evaluate it.

It sounds like this may work for me. Are you having any issues at all with your internet connection staying?

Post: Laptop/Tablet Recommendations?

Ann WatkinsPosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston, TX
  • Posts 186
  • Votes 110
Originally posted by @Andy Robison:
In lenovos defense drivers are a problem with the operating system. Not the actual hardware

If the hardware and OS don't listen to the drivers we have a problem. It's Lenovo's machine therefore their conversation. I included them both because Lenovo blames the OS but then wants to replace the card, while this problem didn't seem to be a problem in 7, it's rampant on a lot of machines running 8. Most folks seem to think it is the hardware and to that Lenovo wants you to send the machine back to them to replace the card. So they are in agreement it's the hardware too. (I've also been told the possible issues out of too many....has been fixed with correcting a wire not being connected...again hardware).

But...BUT...again these problems didn't manifest itself as much with Win 7...these so called hardware issues came up with 8. However, there are those with these same Intel cards who run 8 with no problem. It's Lenovo.

I've gone round and around with them on this machine and the two I had before this one. Currently I have to disable my connection and enable about 4 times a day. When the machine goes into sleep mode it drops the Wi-Fi connection. If I move it...it drops the connection (which could indicate hardware not seated properly)

I've always placed Lenovo as the top of the line, which is why I replaced two machines within 3 months...I was hoping it was just a bad unit. But after engaging Lenovo...without remedy...even after filing a BBB (response: just send it back), I give up. I'm taking this back to the store for something with 1) Better Customer Service and 2) It actually works!

Post: Rehabbing a badly burned house

Ann WatkinsPosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston, TX
  • Posts 186
  • Votes 110

@Gary Uhl

Thank you for the detail. That moves me along quite a bit.

Post: Laptop/Tablet Recommendations?

Ann WatkinsPosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston, TX
  • Posts 186
  • Votes 110

I'm on my 3rd Lenovo and ready to return it to the store. They no longer live up to the reputation Lenovo once had. The issue is 8 and 8.1, the drivers and the resulting constant dropping of Wi-Fi. Just do a check online and you'll find lot's of chatter about these issues and how Lenovo couldn't care less about fixing it.

I think I will be trying the Surface 2 next...after I return this Lenovo back to the retailer.

Post: VACATION RENTAL DATA?

Ann WatkinsPosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston, TX
  • Posts 186
  • Votes 110

@Karen Margrave

I found this, but it's pretty much raw data for any short-term rental, however by joining you may be able to request data on a specific area.

http://www.stradvocacy.org/

@Evan R.

Sure thing. Hope this helps, I will post anything else I find.

Post: Rehabbing a badly burned house

Ann WatkinsPosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston, TX
  • Posts 186
  • Votes 110
Originally posted by @Mark Yuschak:
My next flip candidate is a house which was involved in a bad house fire. I have a good team to reconstruct it, however, my bigger concern is the end buyer getting funding after the rehab is done. Has anyone ever run into an issue with getting an FHA or conventional loan to close if the property was previously involved in a fire?
The last thing I want to do is rehab this property only to find out it's too late to get the end buyer funded.

I know this is an old post, but I'm researching burn outs for a bank. Did you wind up doing this property? If so, I'd like to PM you for some specifics.

Post: Rehabbing a badly burned house

Ann WatkinsPosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston, TX
  • Posts 186
  • Votes 110

@Stephen Masek

Hi Stephen,

When you mention a survey is that the same as an inspection. I have a burn out I need to evaluate and wanted to be sure.

Post: Website - Link checker, this is awesome and free

Ann WatkinsPosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston, TX
  • Posts 186
  • Votes 110

@Brian Gibbons

Thank you sir!

Post: Millionaires See Real Estate as Top Investment for 2014

Ann WatkinsPosted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston, TX
  • Posts 186
  • Votes 110

I believe it....