All Forum Posts by: Jennifer Rysdam

Visit the house, see what you think, and then decide what to do. Tell them that they signed a lease and that they are to adhere to the lease. No new people, no new pets, etc. At that point you'll know how good/bad of a job your property manager is doing. Then you can decide if you need to fire them. Maybe line up a couple of interviews with new property managers while you are going to be in town. Get someone new if you need to.

I'm wondering the same thing myself. I used to be a Realtor about 22 years ago and am thinking about getting it again. I'm wondering about the legal aspect of it or any special disclosures and such that we would need. Plus, don't people just assume when you're a realtor that the price you want to offer them must be too low? I'm interested in what others have to say. I know there is the commission savings but am wondering if it's worth it.

My dad is a contractor and he swears by wood foundations. He's put them in all of his houses and my brother's house, which was in clay and 100' from the lake. As long as you seal it up right it's not a problem. Just make sure to get it inspected and see if it was done well. If not it can be a big issue.

@Levi T. I use the TransUnion SmartMove service that Bigger Pockets recommends, but sometimes it's just nice to take a quick look and see how big the rap sheet is before even bothering calling the references. On the MN site I can put in their name and instantly see a list of what their criminal record is. In the end it can save me a lot of time/bother. It takes 2 minutes and that may just be all I have to do to disqualify someone. Thanks.

Do we have a post or list on here with links to all of the different state criminal records databases?
I'm specifically looking for California right now, but it would be nice to have links to them all.

Here is the one I use for MN: pa.courts.state.mn.us/default.aspx (it's not working today, but it's usually very helpful )

Thanks!

I have 2, second floor apartments that I'll be renovating starting in July when the current renters move out. I would like to use vinyl plank, but am wondering what is the best underlayment to help with the noise? I know vinyl doesn't need it but want the extra noise reduction.

Thanks!

Can the tenant stop payment on the check?

I'd be worried about moisture and mold issues. Also, if they were dealing there, the shady people that might show up at your door or break in and steal your tools and stuff while you're working on it.

It's fun to read everyone's stories. I'm a SAHM to 6 kids right now, ages 1-15. I went back to school online a few years ago and got my business degree with minors in accounting and fraud investigating.  Hubby also went back to school and is now a high school social studies teacher/coach and loving every minute of it. He also a grad student and will eventually get his PhD. to be a professor. We used to own a big remodeling company in Minneapolis until the crash when we lost it. I also sold real estate for a couple of years after high school but quit because I moved out of state.

I just bought my first 8-plex last month and am working on fixing up units as people move. It's 40 years old and some have not been updated much at all. I do a lot of the work myself because I grew up with a dad that is a contractor. I know how to do most things. I do most of my work on the building in the evenings and on weekends. Looking forward to hubby having the summer off so time will be easier to find. I'm hoping to increase the value and reinvest.

Our previous house was a repo that we completely remodeled and lived in for 3 years. We sold it on a CD and are waiting anxiously for it to finalize so we can use the payout to reinvest as well. We would like to do a few flip houses around our area and hopefully use the profits to purchase another multi-family. 

I have wanted to do this my whole life, but life kept getting in the way. Our 13 year old daughter is handicapped, so I will always need to have a flexible schedule. This works great for that! I'm exciting to finally be doing it. Thinking about getting my RE license again, but debating whether it would be a smart idea or not. I'm not doing that many transactions and I worry about the liability issues that may come with it. Any advice on that?

@Corina Eufinger and @Julie Haveman Thanks for the heads up. Things to do/think about. I appreciate the advice very much :)