All Forum Posts by: Connie Brzowski

Looks like only the menfolk are answering this one... :wink:

I wear a button front shirt- tailored with 3/4 sleeves, black dress pants and low heels-- no jewelry but my wedding ring and Timex-type watch. I drive a plain white Toyota truck (not the Lexus which we bought very used for less than the truck, but which we've found causes a negative reaction.) I have a purse bought at Penney's that's leather and big enough to hold letter-size files, a legal pad, my camera and business calculator.

So-- neat and clean, professional, age appropriate, nothing fancy or designer that reeks of money (like I'd have anything fitting that description in my closet anyway-- sheesh :mrgreen: )

Adopt a Newbie??

Howsabout adopting one of us old(er) investors...

We need love too :violin:

Ha! Good point :whistle1:

Ok, lets see-- most of our counties are the size of New England states. So maybe its more accurate to say I'm not comfortable investing farther than I can drive in one day and get back in time to watch King of the Hill reruns :mrgreen:

Of course things change and I'm learning to never say never...

Hey Josh--

Where's the Age-Reduction filter for those avatars?

Seems like a spiffy new dashboard oughta have at least one of those. :mrgreen:

That first deal is always the hardest-- wives worry about losing money that isn't there in the first place (which is usually when you *need* to be investing... :roll: )

In our case, I was the one pushing to start and DH was holding back-- maybe because of that buying-and-reselling old sewing machines on ebay business I started back in '00 (that made absolutely nothing.) Or maybe it was the background check company I started in our home office that showed a grand total of about $32.50 in profit the year we closed it down. He thought I was being overly enthusiastic yet again and viewing the projected profits through rose-colored glasses.

I just kept talking, kept running the numbers for him and showed him every scenerio I could think of-- best case, worst case, in-between case. Eventually, as he became aclimated to the idea, the enthusiasm kicked in but it took awhile.

I'd try to get the go ahead for *just one* and make sure its a goodie. There's nothing like success to bring a spouse on board pronto :train:

No out of state properties for me... you've got to know your limits (and as of today, this is one of mine :wink: )

Under the right circumstances, with the right partners, I'd certainly consider it, but not all by my lonesome :cry:

Completed and updated my profile today-- everything is looking mighty fine :)

Good job, Josh~!

If I understand correctly... are you saying that *you* plan to live in the house for a couple of years? And you're not sure how comfortable you are with this idea?

And that California law requires that you disclose a death from natural causes to each and every tenant that applies?

If that's correct, then I'd just concentrate on yourself-- if you're comfortable with the idea then buy the house and don't worry. If *you* aren't okay with it, then any conflict you might feel will be communicated to your prospective tenants. In that case, you might want to look for a different house.

Sure doesn't sound like over-rehabbing to me either.

To your list I might add:

**Change out light fixtures and/or ceiling fans to something inexpensive but current (light fixtures tend to date a place quickly)

**Change out cabinet door knobs and pulls

As for an indicator that you're over-rehabbing... maybe if someone walks in and says, "By golly! I've never seen granite counters (or ceramic tile, or crystal faucets or whatever) in a $350 rental before (or $500 or $1500)."

I guess it really just depends on where the house is located and what houses in the same price range in your area have going for them :mrgreen:

Hey Greg,

Nice post--and I whole-heartedly concur :D Amazing what a little financial education will do for you, isn't it?

:welcome: