All Forum Posts by: Jennifer White

I like rent spree.  I use their free version and have had no issues.  Plus I use them to run the background and credit check as well.  I've used services I had to pay for but honestly rent spree has been just as good if not better.  Plus if you want extra features you can upgrade if you want. 

Great job! Relationships are key!  I'm down on the coast so if you need any help feel free to reach out. 

Feel free to reach out to me as well.  I have 2 properties in Gulfport and actively pursuing foreclosures.

New landlord here! We acquired our first duplex in December with one tenant staying in place and the other one was evicted before we closed for multiple reasons. The side of the evicted tenant was pretty bad and they were heavy smokers so we had to pretty much remodel the entire side with new flooring, paint, and appliances. There was no way someone could have lived there without remodeling it plus we are hoping to utilize the BRRR strategy so we did make it nicer (within reason, as this is a lower income area).

Our other tenant chose to stay and re-sign the lease with us, however, her side is not anywhere near as bad but does require some fix-ups.  Not to mention the previous property manager did a crappy job on a lot of the repairs that had gone into it previously.  The problem is....now that she has seen how nice the other side is, she is wanting her side to be remodeled.  I told her there is no plan to remodel that side while a tenant is in place.  Paint and new flooring is something it needs for sure but she signed her original lease with the unit in that state.  

Has anyone had issues with this previously and how did you handle it?  She actually is a good tenant so I would like to keep her.  We've even considered offering her the other side if she wants to pay the increased rent and sign a new year lease.  We haven't made that offer yet.  Any thoughts to this?  We would have to jump in and renovate the other side immediately but is something we were planning on doing anyways whenever she left.  

We purchased the year membership and have found it very useful but we are also new to the area where we are purchasing and new to real estate investing.  I like it because I can check all the areas to see what rents are going for and the type of rental (# of beds/bath, apt vs house, etc.). I'm sure you can find the information in other places but honestly it is so quick and easy using rentometer, I'm not sure I'd ever go check some of the other places.  And the rent prices are more realistic to what zillow gives us.  After this year, not sure that we will get it again but it was a huge help in securing our first duplex and learning the what the different areas rent for.

Brand new landlord here.  We just closed on our first duplex in December where one unit is currently rented out and the other is vacant.  I just received a call from our tenant that she had a break in.  This is the second time it has happened since she started renting back in September but obviously last time it was under the previous owners.  Both times we think it has been teenagers as last time a tv was stolen and this time only her children's video game consoles and games were stolen even though she had other valuables laying around.  The duplex backs up to some woods and on the other side is a school.  The area is probably a C-class area.  From the front, the duplex is very visible and seen by many but unfortunately because of it backing up to the woods is less secure.  I'm considering some options to improve the tenants security as I feel awful that it has happened twice now.

1. Motion detector lights in the back-even though I think both break ins have been during the day.

2.  Cameras for the back? I figure this might be helpful or even fake cameras might deter someone?

3.  I considered bars on the back and side windows to prevent any intruders.  What do people think of this?  Unfortunately I know it probably doesn't look the best and when we try to rent out the other side might hinder people.

4.  Improving the locks on the windows?  

Any other ideas?  Just wanting to nip this in the bud if possible.  I know there will always be crappy people out there but want to do our best as landlords for our tenants security.

Thanks in advance

@Courtney Fricke I'm planning on being there.  Do you mind sharing the details of the luncheon?  Thanks!

@Mike McCarthy  Good to know.  We aren't planning on renovating right away but will need to after these tenants leave so it'll eventually be a problem regardless.

@Mike Cumbie thanks for the advice.  We are looking to see if that could be an option. @John Morgan I'll definitely keep you posted on what we end up doing.  Our realtor requested to get the records/permits from the sellers to make sure everything met inspection.  The house is only from 2005 so it's kind of odd that they were able to build it this way.  If it was a much older house I wouldn't be as surprised.

@Anthony Rosa it actually is a relatively newer home.  It was built in 2005 so I'm surprised they were able to do it.  We are getting in contact with the sellers to request permits/records on the property to make sure they were inspected.  we spoke to an electrician who said that it is not in compliance and has to be moved.  Considering other options about removing the closet or making it smaller.