All Forum Posts by: Jennifer Pletcher

We are in the United States, so might not be really helpful, but we live 10 hours away from our properties.. (we have three).  They are in our original home town where my husband and I grew up (and the area is a rental dream and cheap prices).  My parents still live in the town, and for awhile, they were checking on our then 1 property.  We have my mom on our bank account so she can collect rents and deposit them for us.  It really is easy that way.  Recently we accquired two other properties, so I did hire someone we trust for $150/month to be our "property manager" for sorts.  He has keys to the units, and he does all the showings, and since he is also our beloved contractor, he does any work that needs to be done (on top of the $150 fee of course).  He lives right near the properties, and I trust him, so this works out.  My mom still does all the monetary exchanges, but he does all the rest.

Hi Beth,

I have three properties in the portfolio.  1 Triplex, and 2 Duplexes.  One is an old, historic home we are remodeling before we rent it. 

Thanks!  I have been reading what you have said on other areas of the forum, and I have decided this is not for us.  We have one property right now - a Triplex - and she is handful enough!  Thanks for all of your advice.

Take care

Jennifer Pletcher

Thanks!  Yeah - the houses are in Fayette County in PA.  I figured they were different everywhere.  We can see all the the house pictures and info online and I know the areas well.  The catch is - we don't live in PA.  We live out of state - our families live there.  We were going in for the sale, so Iwon't have a chance to talk to anyone face to face ahead of time.

Thanks!!  I would love to read some of the things you have written Ned.  I think it would help me decide.  Where we invest is a low income area and a small town (less than 8000 people).  What I can't figure out is how far above the taxes owed these properties will go for.  For example - most owe taxes around $2000 to $3000.  IS that where they will start the bidding?  The only information that was on the site for our area (Fayette County Pennsylvania) is that all sales are final on the TAx Sale date and all bids must be made in cash and that the owners will not be allowed to redeem their property after the sale.

Thanks!  Where do I find the blogs?

This is basic, but we put steel fire doors at difference outdoor entrances to our apartment building.  We have a tri-plex, and one door that leads up to the two upstairs apartment has been trashed twice.  (Tenant forgot key and instead of callig us - kicked a hole in the door).  We replaced the two exits to the upstairs apartment (on their fire escape stairs) with these doors as well.  They don't weather and can't be broken into.

Hello!  I have a question.  My husband and I are thinking of attending a tax sale of properties at the end of Sept.  WE have never been to one.  Anyone have any advice?  Does it come with a lot of risk?  Is it a bidding war?  We are just trying to decide if it is worth our time.  

We live in MA and our property is in PA, so we cannot go and visit. We have a person who helps us (he is not really a property manager, but someone who screens our tenants, shows the property, lets contractors in, etc). We have thought about it, but we have no idea how much profit property managers take. This is our only property. My parents live in the town, and we visit every other month, and my parents check on it more frequently. But if we get a manager - what are we talking about as cost annually?

Thanks - great advice! I tried to call her, but she wouldn't pick up the phone. And she won't set up her answering machine so I can send leave her a message. Trust me - talking was my first choice. Sigh.