All Forum Posts by: Jen Kurtz

 I can see now too how that could get hairy, unless the couple fit into another reason within the application that would warrant them to require a consignor. Because if they fit a reason to have a consignor (not having to even reference a language barrier) it would still assist in communicating past the barrier, wouldn't you agree?

Otherwise, I would go with what I had posted the first time- which is treat them the same in your tenant selection criteria and communicate with the translator. I recently had a couple who spoke only Spanish apply at my tax credit property. It was a little difficult to explain the restrictions we have on eligibility for the program and all the additional paperwork that is necessary beyond a market rate rental. We had the help of a couple different translators for them- one a friend and another a family member. Their application was good and they could have certainly moved in had they not made too much money. They exceeded the income limits for their household size established by HUD for the tax credit program.

Like all public programs, they have social and economic effects. Whether anyone likes any or none, there would be increased conflict and economic consequences should programs like sec 8 and SNAP ever become dismantled overnight. Not to over simplify the matters but income inequalities are always going to exist and this is a result of many things (some preventable, some not), like poverty,  education, and upbringing in general. I do wish everyone grew up in an environment that encouraged and mandated work ethic and the importance of education. Unfortunately, sometimes there is a viscious cycle of the opposite. We can't ALL have it ALL so inequalities with not go away. It is 2014 and we are a developed nation, so we collectively won't put everyone out on the street to starve. In my opinion, we should start financial education early in the public school system and I also believe there should be time limits on these programs for those who are not disabled or elderly. Self-sufficiency programs I am a big advocate of.

Good call with the English speaking cosigner Ben!

I am wondering how this couple is currently conducting business and going about their lives if they do not understand any English. If they are employed, there has to be SOME way they are communicating, wouldn't you agree? Unless they work for an employer that speaks their native language. You can however, ask for a federal number if they do not have a SS number. Anyone can apply for a federal number and they do not have to be a US citizen.

If they do have an interpreter, I wouldn't worry about them having a fall out with the interpreter- that can be likened to worrying about your tenant losing their job after they move in. Some things after that approved application you cannot prevent or anticipate, of course. 

My advice would be just like what was stated above, not treating anyone differently. That's how discrimation comes into play. You should hold them to the same established selection criteria, including all documents you require (pay stubs, landlord references, etc). If they cannot complete the application (for any reason), they are disqualified just like anyone else with an incomplete application or fall outside of your already established criteria. 

If the couple are great candidates otherwise, I wouldn't pass on them just because of your concerns about their ability to communicate. They are the ones responsible for their affairs. When calling their prior landlord, ask he or she what their preferred method of communication was too!

Youngstown has a huge supply of homes both in city limits and even in our burbs. In the city, you could get SFH for under 20k and duplexes super cheap too. The problem here is over supply of housing and very little demand to live in those places. People with sec 8 (especially working people) will look throughout mahoning county or Trumbull county for landlords that take sec 8 as they are much better areas and near retail and jobs. If you ever consider the Youngstown area, feel free to reach out to me for some advice on the area.

Otherwise, out of the markets you mentioned I would go with Cleveland as it is still a rust belt city on the rebound especially in the healthcare industry and some others. Akron is so close to Cleveland and big NE Ohio colleges so any turn around Cleveland has- Akron will feed off it too! 

I have been hearing a lot about Cincinnati's renaissance of sorts, so I might suggest checking that out and Dayton is only about an hour from Cinci.

I agree with the above posters that if you live nearby, you might as well manage it yourself- just refer to yourself as the manager. This way you can keep it professional rather than get too personal, and you don't have to "be the bad guy" should you need to enforce rules. Establish your criteria for selection (credit, criminal, references, etc), have a nice all-inclusive lease, have a licensed contractor in mind for things you don't know how to fix. I'd stay away from the furnishings too unless your aim was for short term rentals to out of town business people or something like that (if it makes sense in your market). People that have asked for furnished rentals, in my experience, have been contract workers like consultants working on a 3 month project or doctors completing their residency at a local hospital.

I 100% agree with Jay, I think agents who get licensed just for a fun part time job will get squeezed out and full-time agents who make themselves a resource of information and guidance will prevail. People who do not make a business out of real estate do not spend the time learning everything that we all here do. They are going to need that source of info, giving piece of mind, rather then going through a complex transaction alone. Zillow gives us a much better picture than the old books at a grocery store though! :)

Also, depending on the supply of quality PMs in your area and the size of property, I think between 6-10% is fair.

Hi Donald,

In most states, in order to manage a property for someone else for a fee the person needs to be licensed (or employed by a prop mgmt company of which someone there in the organization has a brokers license). I would never hire someone who thinks this is just a desk job and try to train them yourself. Sure, show apartments and entering rent deposits are basic customer service and administrative type things- but think about things like Fair Housing and other legalities involved.

When I started working in property management a few years ago, I had no background in it. I was hired by a prop mgmt company and had a regional manager to train me, but I kid you not- when I got the job and before I started I literally read "Property Management for Dummies", just because I wanted to start somewhere with terminology and what I could expect and all. I now work with a well known multifamily developer, and training and education is always ongoing, and I am supported my many chains of command.

I would never hire someone with no real estate license or property management background to manage my assets. To me, that would be like trusting a person that can cut grass to run it the way that it should, handle day to day, tenant relations, not getting into legal trouble, etc.

If you do not want to self manage, please just do your research and find a good real estate company that has a management arm. They are out there.

So, what's to prevent you from just hiring anyone and training them, you ask?--> Hopefully the good business sense that I know you have! Also the desire to not create MORE risk for yourself :)

Thanks for the Pittsburgh shout out! Welcome to BP! :)