All Forum Posts by: Jim Adrian

I would create a list of items you are looking before reaching out to someone.   This will help you make a selection of who to reach out to.  Typically, I would reach out to an interior designer or an architect.  You might find a Home Decorator as well.  Depending on how many rehabs you do a year, it may be easier to say "Design me 5 color and product pallets".  Then you can repeat and pull the pallet you want to use on each house.   Maybe 2 pallets are very high end and other are middle of the road to low end.  

Quote from @Ty Coutts:

Hello Jim,

Evaluating prospective tenants who do not have a traditional credit score can be challenging but still feasible, and I appreciate your fairness. 

- Some credit bureaus and services (like Experian RentBureau or Esusu Rent) offer alternative credit reports that include rent payment history, utility payments, and other recurring bills. These can provide insight into their payment habits.

- Request contact information for their previous landlords to verify their rental history. Ask about their payment punctuality, behavior as tenants, and reasons for leaving.

- Since they have been paying taxes for eight years, request copies of their tax returns for the past two to three years. This will help verify their income.

- If still skeptical, ask for personal references from employers, community leaders, or other respected individuals who can vouch for their character and reliability.

By using these methods, you can make a more informed decision about renting to this couple, giving them a fair evaluation while also protecting your interests as a landlord. Good luck!

Thanks for the response.  I ended up having a more qualified person apply.   They also lived and worked for family members.  Contacting them would be useless in my opinion.  I asked for some follow up info and never received. 

I have an inquiry on my sfr rental from a young immigrant couple.  They have itin number, been in the the states for 8 years and have paid taxes and will to provide tax returns.  Claims they have no credit score because of the itin number.  A quick google search says they may or may not but would have to provide extra paper to find out. They listed the drivers license number as Mexico Consular.  I use the credit rating to show me late payment history and outstanding debt.  Is there any other way to verify this?   Trying to give the people a fair evaluation.   

I would hate to store w/d because the tenant had there own.  I've heard washers can get moldy due to storing them.  Devils advocate here...  Do you rent out your frid, stove, built-in microwave or dishwasher?  I bet you don't.  Its either an amenity you provide or not. Not an extra line item charge item but built into the price.  Don't make it feel like they are getting nickel and dimed.  Sell it as im getting "All of this" for this amazing price. 

First off learn to golf, its a business sport.  Clay shotgun shooting is another business sport.   Lots of options in architecture but its a tough major.  Lots of long nights but it was worth the reward.  Figure 6yrs of schooling ($$$)  It takes 5 yrs after school to really get your feet under you with the knowledge you need and the time to pass the exams. 

There is no reason why on 100 degree days you cant reach 74 degrees.  Have you made concessions, sure.  But texas sees more prolonged heat and you will continue to have problems unit you fix it. 

I would get a building envelop person out to check out your house and see where the house is leaking from with a thermal imaging gun.  AC units are typically designed for 90 to 95 "degree day" temp. When temps exceeds "design degree day" temp the unit runs longer and harder. Your ac unit may be low on freon or really dirty.   Attic insul should be atleast R-38 and walls should have continuous insul of R-5 plus R-13 in the studs (IECC 2018 commercial).  More continuous insul the better. If you have old windows and window blinds are left open this will bake the inside as well. 

I have a 1935 house in Nebraska and have no issues with keep it cool on 100 degree days and 70% humidity.  We are have a week of 115 heat index days right now.  It cools better than my house.  Its undersized for only 90 degree days but i can still keep it 73 and the house is in full sun due to no trees (newer development). 

Verify this is a "service animal" and not an "emotional support animal".   There is a difference.  Service animals are covered under ADA (federally protected) and emotional animals are not.  Its been a long while since i dug into this.  If you dont want the animal in the place find a different way to disqualify them.

Most people don't put paint on thick enough and spend more time pushing paint around then putting it on the surface.   Give it 2 heavy coats of kilz.  1 mil is equal to 1 sheet of notebook paper thick.  So at 1.7 mil thick when dry is not even 2 sheets of paper.  

https://www.kilz.com/primer/kilz-2

What product was used to re-glazed the tile?   Was it electrostatically painted?   I have done that to my bathtub in my rental with the electrostatic paint. I have been pleased with it.  I had some issues but that's due to improper prep before painting and they came out and fixed it.  Its been in place since 2016.

I would retile over painting the tile.  Give it an update for the wow factor.  

Short answer yes.  This happens each time you have a turn over.  You need to call your utilities and see if they have some sort of landlord contract.  This allows utilities to move back to your name with no new service fee each time.  Basically utilities are never shut off the property.