All Forum Posts by: Jill F.

My rentals are near a university and for most/many of my tenants it's their very first non-dorm apartment. I usually go to the dollar store and spend $15-20 and get a roll of toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, can opener, some of those popcorn containers and microwave popcorn, a potholder, a kitchen towel, some cleaning supplies (hint, hint), a couple of the picture holders I like them to use, some kitchen trashbags, and a card. I handwrite a short welcome note including my phone number , website and the best way to notify me should maintenance issues arise. I put the gift and apartment key in a cabinet and suprise them when we finish the move in walk through. 

@Patrick Burch , my husband and I have a couple small retail stores as well as some rentals. For our CPA, we use Sussman and Associates, Inc  out of Wadsworth, Vicki is very knowledgeable.

@Michael Ferry , congratulations on your first rental! We just bought our first rentals (2 quads) in August and we're now in the process of buying 13 more units. 

I think I would go house hunting. Go through the online mls find some homes in the area you think you might be interested in and have your agent set up appointments. You might find something you like better or at least come up with a back up plan in case you and the landlord can't come to an agreement. In any event, you'll know how YOU think the "comps" compare. Good luck.

We recently tried a new (to us) product called loose lay vinyl and I LOVE it. It is held down either by the baseboards or by double sided tape or removable flooring adhesive. It could be layed down in any direction unlike click lock or glue strip so there is virtually no waste. It is waterproof and very heavy duty feeling if a piece gets messed up you can just pull it and put down a new one. We've laid every kind of floor there is over the years and this was the easiest. We paid $2.69/sq foot at floors2yourhome.com. Here is a picture: 

That is basically all of my tenants. Though i'm in Akron near AkronU and the rent is $420. I require 3xmonthly rent in income. My only concern would be the $500/month renter. I think there is a way to allow them on the lease but make the high earner financially responsible or primary.

I use the crime data in neighborhood scout and the akron pd data to exclude properties in areas with the highest violent crime rates. What do you use?

I've been very suprised at how many people call to see a rental and then don't show. I find it rude and baffling.

Hi Shaun,

In my units where the woodwork is painted I use Behr SemiGloss ultra white on the trim. On the walls in rooms where the trim is painted, I use a Valspar neutral warm "greige" color called Oatland Subtle Taupe in a satin finish. I like this grey-beige color because it does not have pink or blue undertones. I prefer a satin finish because flat paint doesn't hold up well to cleaning and semi-gloss is too unforgiving-- every little wall imperfection stands out especially in older buildings with plaster walls. Satin is washable, doesn't highlight imperfections, and doesn't look too shiney. In units with hardwood floors and natural woodwork I use Valspar Asiago, a creamy off-white in satin. It's on the same Valspar color chip as the oatland subtle taupe so it looks good between rooms.

So many people stick their heads in the sand when they have financial problems. It always makes it worse. I have a written late policy and I send out a copy of my late policy and the canned emails (summarized below) before each "action". Most of the time the emails get me a phone call. 

I don't know about in California, but in Ohio personally withholding rent is not allowed. To withhold rent here, repairs must be requested in writing and after 30 days tenants can deposit rent with the court for escrow. 

I'd probably take my kindle and sit outside her door with a quit or pay and try to have a word with her. I'd deliver the quit or pay and If she refuses to talk, I'd move to evict. 

Pet rent? ;)