All Forum Posts by: John C

You make very valid points about higher EM offers and I see how that is benefical in certain cases. I just dont like tying my money up like that for unforseen amounts of time at 0% interest and have to lose the deal to access any of it. But until recently my market has been just that, mine, only recently have I seen other investors agressively buying in my area and type of property. But that just tells me things are looking up. It is good information to be armed with though, I may use that strategy someday. Until then Im gonna keep shooting them in the foot and throwing pennies at them

I have a Google Voice number, works great! I have a majic jack, not a big fan of it, but it does work. I ended up just adding a line to my cell phone plan for $10 a month and now i have a seperate phone and number for my rentals. That was the option most convenient for me

I would have had no problems at all renting to him until the this shady landlord thing came up. More investigation would be necessary for me. Seems suspicious. Did he just give a friends number that is playing LL? He should have at least got the correct owners name..

I have never known the EM amount to be anything more than a good faith deposit. It has never had an affect on any deal I have been in that I am aware of. I am intrested though how you present a higher EM deal to get their attention to beat out a higher price offer because that I would like to understand.

cs78, about the realtor, the fact that you have a good relationship with one makes all the difference, she has made money off you in the past and plans to in the future so a little extra leg work now should seem like part of the job. I typically make all offers through my one agent for that reason, so she gets paid and stays happy submitting my sometimes overly low bids. But I find all the properties and do all the DD. She just handles the paperwork

Shelly, while that seems to work great for you I would rarely ever put more that $1k earnest money down and NEVER the full amount. Even if one has alot of cash to spare. What if there are title issues and it streches out to over 12 months like I have had multiple properties do. They arent paying you intrest on that money and to get any of it back means a forefiture of contract. There are many reasons why I only put the minimum earnest money down. But if that works for you, thats great.

Lowballing is like dating on the internet. Send out 50 offers, 25 will reply back, 10 you will meet and 2 you will seal the deal. Just keep it up!!

I love laminate!! Easy to install and very durable and if it does get scratched just go purchase a marker to touch it up!! I put it in all my rentals everywhere but bedrooms

I would cut losses and get a new group. I would pay the agreed $550 in cash and learn from this. But thats just me! Hope it all works out for you!

Very good Mitch, I had never used that google shopping before. This forum is so darn informative!

Think I will go with the $16 model, half price compared to local hardware stores. Now what should I do with the $320 i just saved???

Not sure if its required here yet but should be I guess, although code aroung here is rarely enforced. I will just feel better after doing it, they arent cheap though are they!!