All Forum Posts by: Jim S.

I suggest you start out managing yourself. You can always hire a property manager when you want. You might find out that 2 doors is not that hard to manage. The key is keep up on the maintenance, keep them in good shape and you won't have much up keep or calls. Usually I spend less than 2 hours a month and I have 6 doors. Water bills, online banking, I pay insurance once a year.

I don't want any renter that would move into a dirty apartment. It also speaks volumes as to what kind of landlord you are.

I tell them at the showing and when we sign the lease. I only do mtm because I can get you out if you cause me problems or are a PIA. They never question it. Some say "I've heard that before from other landlords". 

When you say you want to update it. Will you be doing the work? If it was me, I would remove all the old tile and put up new. I've never seen redone tile that looked good in 5 years. But that's me. Yes on the counter top/sink & toilet.

If you are planning on replacing it any time soon (6 months) I wouldn't fix it. If they start complaining then that would be the time to give them notice and do your upgrade.

I don't know what the hourly rate would be. Roofers usually charge for the job. Labor equals materials. Small repairs labor would be more.

100 amps per unit is probably ok. 100 amps for the entire building is probably undersized but if you are not tripping breakers or blowing fuses then you might be ok. And yes you can call an electrician and they can tell you. Always get at lease 2 or 3 quotes before you have any work done.

Get rid of them.

How many bedrooms in each unit. Electric stove? Electric water heater? Electric heat? Dishwasher?

Ditto what he said. First impressions are EVERYTHING. If there first thought is "nice" and things go down hill from there that isn't as bad as first thought "yuk". Make the area's that all tenants see/use nice first. Then focus on the individual units as they turn over. Make sure you keep reserves for old furnaces when they go out in January. Paint, flooring, kitchen, bath.