All Forum Posts by: Jennifer Rysdam

Hey everyone. I need to put together a list of disallowed dogs for my apartment building's website. I have a few in mind, but I don't want to leave any out. I think it would be easier to make a list that people can see instead of them constantly pleading their case that their German Sheppard or whatnot is really quiet and likes people. The last really good German Sheppard destroyed all the carpets and a door, went after and growled at everyone, and jumped into the lap of my handicapped tenant!

Thanks!

I don't take a fee. I use SmartMove. I'm very clear on my website as to what my qualifications are, so that weeds out many applicants once they see the background/credit check and pet requirements. As I get applications I review them. If I get one that would work and the references check out I email them the SmartMove link and they pay the credit/background check money right to them. If i get several applications I just process them in the order I got them if they all appear to be good applicants.
Another option that I have tried as well is telling people that I will deduct their credit/background fee from their first month's rent. That way they know that if they actually do meet the requirements and aren't lying to me they'll get the money back at lease signing.

I used to live in Big Lake. We added 1800 square feet onto our 2600 square foot house. They then appraised it really high compared to what we thought it was worth. Most 4400 square foot houses are pretty fancy in that area, but ours was an 8 bedroom, 5 bathroom regular house that was used for our 4 kids and 4-6 foster kids. It was nice, but not fancy. They came out, looked it over, and lowered it to where it should be.
The process might be more difficult in Minnespolis, but ours was pretty easy. Good luck!

Also, I'd bet if you asked on here you could find some recommendations too from people in that area. Still do your research though.

My brother is a sub for Home Depot. The prices they charge are SO high, and all they do is turn around and hire a local company to do it. Why add a middleman. Do your research and find a good local company.
One thing I do like though is that every person that works on a Home Depot job has to have a background check. I admire them for that.

I'm glad you were able to come to a decision that works for you. The thing that popped into my head, because of having some very irresponsible relatives in my life, was that I hope she doesn't get used to not having a rent payment and rack up the rest of her bills, making it hard to pay rent once the lump sum ran out. That's totally something my brother would do. Go out and buy a new truck since he doesn't have a rent payment, not realizing that it won't be that way forever, lol :) 

I have a property that I want to flip. I realize that I'll get hit with a lot of taxes when I sell. If I sell it on a contract for deed, with the balloon payment in 3 years, how would the taxes owed on my profit be different? Thanks!

Welcome! There is quite a bit of great information here and some wonderful people as well :)

I had one like this that ended up owing me $1500 by the time I did repairs and such. I sent them a bill, which was returned because they hadn't forwarded their mail. I left it at that. One didn't work and the other was on disability. There was no way I was getting anything out of them and didn't want to spend the extra money taking them to court.
Hopefully you can recover some of the money, or at least have the comfort of knowing it's on their record for future rental applications that require background/credit checks. It could haunt them for a long time and eventually they may decide to pay it.

The most successful people are the ones that admit that they don't know everything and can look to others for advice and experience. Just coming here (among other places) and doing research shows that you are on top of your game and looking to learn. Great post! :)