All Forum Posts by: Jeff Collier

Unfortunately, none of the hall closets are deep enough (16-18 inches deep at most) - and not enough room in the hall to take up any more space. Definitely using the space under the staircase for one of the units. And actually, two of the units are straightforward (one can go under stairs / the other has two closets in the bedroom, so safe to use one of them for laundry). 

The trouble is that upstairs units don't have any practical spaces - so exploring impractical spaces!

Possibly - I'm back and forth between a stacked laundry center and an all-in-one. In either case, some of the units will need some additional build out (and/or demo of existing walls) to create the space. I'm starting to learn toward an all-in-one that can have a butcher block shelf on top for additional functionality.

Hello all --- I have a historic property that has been divided into 4 1br/1ba units. I'm trying to find solutions to add laundry into each of the units, and while my contractor and I have discussed a few options, I thought it would be worthwhile to throw it out there to the BP community. We've taken measurements for stackable combo units and all-in-one units - have a few ideas, but nothing that has come to the fore just yet.

Have you added laundry into your remodels for smaller spaces, and if so, how? 

Thanks!

Hey Matt -- I'm new to real estate and have been in Cedar Rapids for 8 years. Bought a couple investment properties back in September and fighting my way through the rehabs still. Huge (sometimes exhausting) learning experience for sure! Anyways, have been reading all the comments on your post, and I'm encouraged by how many folks are on here from the area. Will keep an eye on @Jeff Niemeier's meetings too (work obligation on Mar 19 unfortunately). Would be great to connect sometime!

First, I'm a complete rookie in this space, so bear with me!

I've got a unique situation with a rental property and would love to hear what the BP community thinks. In September, I purchased a pair of old homes that were converted to multi-family properties. Each house has 4 1-bedroom apartments, and one of the houses also had a basement efficiency unit.

I'm currently in the process of working with my property manager to make updates and renovate the facilities. Early in the process, he had expressed interest in renting the efficiency as a local base for his rental property business (his offices are about 45-60 minutes away in another market, but he has a large number of doors in my area as well). We discussed details, and agreed on a rent amount that would have been what I was to rent the efficiency for anyways. Plus, there will be no property management fees, and he will even provide free labor to update the efficiency (as approved).

We've discussed that the unit would have to be easily convertible back to a LTR should he leave.

My question to the BP community is this: Is there anything else (beyond what I've mentioned and the standard needs for leases) I should be considering when drawing up a lease for this arrangement? I'd like to use a BP lease agreement as the baseline, as I think it would be best to keep this scenario at an arm's length from the property management services as much as possible.

For what it's worth, I do think this is a positive arrangement and will be beneficial to both of us. He gets a convenient space to operate for some of his local clients, and I have a unit rented and my own property management effectively on site for many days of each week. Just trying to be sure I understand the nuances as best as possible.

Feedback much appreciated!