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All Forum Posts by: Derrick E.

Derrick E. has started 27 posts and replied 877 times.

You’ve made it this long, tough it out for 4 more months. Let them know you won’t be renewing and try to end this on as good of terms as possible in hopes they leave your place in decent shape. 

Post: Section 8 rent

Derrick E.Posted
  • Investor
  • The Creek, WV
  • Posts 890
  • Votes 1,439

@Frank Dean Are you sure S8 rent is “much higher”? I only ask because you said you are new to this.

The S8 rents you see on the HUD website is gross eligibility. That's before factoring in utilities or each personal situation. If it says on the website they pay $1,500 for X number of bedrooms, they probably pay closer to $1,150 once they account for the utilities. Just something to be aware of.

Post: Need advise to vet a rental applicant

Derrick E.Posted
  • Investor
  • The Creek, WV
  • Posts 890
  • Votes 1,439
Quote from @Dharmam Buch:
Quote from @Derrick E.:

There are a number of reasons they could be applying for these cards. I wouldn’t let that part concern me. Could be attempting to stack credit cards for a business, maybe they just want to have them for an emergency, maybe they know that applying for one is the same as applying for multiple if it’s within a certain time frame so they went ahead and applied to not ding their credit as much, etc etc 

The other thing about the job is something to look into though. 

@Derrick E. how can I look deeper into "The other thing". ?

Ask them for the name and number of their boss at work is where I would start. 


I ask this question among many others in the initial questionnaire. 

Post: Need advise to vet a rental applicant

Derrick E.Posted
  • Investor
  • The Creek, WV
  • Posts 890
  • Votes 1,439

There are a number of reasons they could be applying for these cards. I wouldn’t let that part concern me. Could be attempting to stack credit cards for a business, maybe they just want to have them for an emergency, maybe they know that applying for one is the same as applying for multiple if it’s within a certain time frame so they went ahead and applied to not ding their credit as much, etc etc 

The other thing about the job is something to look into though. 

Post: WWYD 120k cash Ohio

Derrick E.Posted
  • Investor
  • The Creek, WV
  • Posts 890
  • Votes 1,439

I would either use a HML spread over multiple deals to rehab or I would find a property with good bones (foundation, and most studs/joists are solid) then buy it for super cheap and force appreciation through the rehab, which is what I do.

Post: What would you do?

Derrick E.Posted
  • Investor
  • The Creek, WV
  • Posts 890
  • Votes 1,439

No way. Something is off. What if one of the couples decides to move out? Can the others afford rent without them? 

What are the dynamics? Are they all family, or just friends? None of this would matter to me, I wouldn’t rent to them, but some questions to be asked if you are considering it. 

The fact they are willing to pay $200 extra also indicates they have had a tough time renting other places, aka other landlords have told them no.


I would lower the rent and find a good tenant before I did this, but that’s just me. 

Post: Rental Property taking too long to rent

Derrick E.Posted
  • Investor
  • The Creek, WV
  • Posts 890
  • Votes 1,439
Quote from @Greg M.:

Your listing has many issues. I'm actually confused reading it. Is it a duplex? Am I renting the entire place since it says two-family home? 

The outside color of the house does not match my expectations for the inside design. Very much lacks curb appeal.

Sqft is not listed. If I search for a place, one of the filters is min/max sqft. Your listing will not come up with these searches.

You mention a large fenced in backyard and not a single picture of it!

The kitchen looks extremely small from the pictures. It's also set up incorrectly. The dishwasher should be to the right of the sink as a large majority of people are right handed.

There is a picture of a second fridge in the kitchen, but no mention of it in the listing.

You'd have been better off putting the stove where the second fridge is and giving the renter more countertop space. 

Your fridge and stove, while new, still has shipping material on them. Tacky.

Your power outlets and switch don't have covers in the pics. Dangerous. 

The kitchen cabinets, they are two different colors. Did the close out store not have enough of a single color? Never make bold design decisions when renting the unit. Bold is for your personal home. Bland is for renting. 

The dark gray flooring is out of favor (I personally like it). 

The orange-color wood floor looks beat up and the color is definitely out of favor.

What is the design plan? What room am I looking at in the pictures? What rooms are on the first vs second floors? 

Your last picture is of a towel bar. Why?

Renter will likely have a child. What are the schools like? 

No pets? You just lost 52% of potential renters. 



Most of this is good info, but some of this is ridiculous and moot. 

If a tenant chooses not to rent a place because the dishwasher is on the left instead of the right then you just dodged a headache of a tenant who would complain about everything. 

Definitely need pics of the back yard and info about local area such as schools, attractions etc. 

Post: Mold Issue - Should we sell or hold?

Derrick E.Posted
  • Investor
  • The Creek, WV
  • Posts 890
  • Votes 1,439

Check to see if it’s just mildew. Everyone thinks because they see a spot it’s black mold and need to pay $15k to have it taken care of.

Most of the time, it’s mildew. Still need to clean it with regular household cleaning supplies, keep the dehumidifier running, and try to increase some air flow if possible. 

Post: Where do you list for rentals other than Zillow

Derrick E.Posted
  • Investor
  • The Creek, WV
  • Posts 890
  • Votes 1,439
Quote from @Jeremy Anan:

@Derrick E. Do you have to boost the post on Facebook MP?

Nope. Not at all. It’s 100% free. I get a lot of low level interest to sift through though.

What I do is make the post and forget about it until the next day. Then the next day I go through and respond to everyone simply saying “yes it’s still available. What is your email so I can send you the application.”

After I do that I forget about it until that evening or the next day. Send the same response to the new inquiries and send the application to those who gave me their email. 

Post: Where do you list for rentals other than Zillow

Derrick E.Posted
  • Investor
  • The Creek, WV
  • Posts 890
  • Votes 1,439

I only list on Facebook marketplace, but this is 100% market specific. Every market is different.