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All Forum Posts by: Joseph Hammel

Joseph Hammel has started 48 posts and replied 283 times.

Post: Is anyone with section 8 or other similar programs nervous about a funding freeze?

Joseph HammelPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Lake Hallie, WI
  • Posts 288
  • Votes 140

With all the uncertainty about budget cuts, DOGE ect is anyone concerned that subsidized housing could be in danger? I have about 20% of our portfolio getting some kind of support. Most of them are 100% paid by some program. They were close to not knowing if they could pay some of the Feb checks but that was put on hold. I know that if everything was cut it would be catastrophic for the market and investors. At the same time I feel like some of the market rents they are willing to pay are over what is realistic and may be contributing to inflating the broader market. We shoot for the top rent because of all the extra paperwork and other headache the clients usually bring.

Post: What's your favorite mileage tracking app?

Joseph HammelPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Lake Hallie, WI
  • Posts 288
  • Votes 140

Hey, I've been using my google map data for a while but would like to know if there is a better solution you like. Google is not very accurate and now its all stored on the phone. 

Post: Have you ever seen a rolled roof installed like this?

Joseph HammelPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Lake Hallie, WI
  • Posts 288
  • Votes 140

I'm more concerned about the drip-edge/ flashing on top of the roof. Where do you suppose the water will go? Looks like a hack job. Don't hire that guy again. Fortunately its a pretty small roof. 

Post: Where to list a small retail spot.

Joseph HammelPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Lake Hallie, WI
  • Posts 288
  • Votes 140

We have almost exclusively residential but have a few small retail rentals. Small shops with apartments above. When we post theses its hard to figure out where. On Facebook marketplace you have to call it an apartment since they don't have a commercial option. There's manually posting it in multiple groups. Even tried craigslist and local paper once. Our residential postings go to Buildium and Showmojo. From there they port out to all the normal other sites. Property is in Ladysmith WI. (3500k) Its about 500 sf. Great location on main hwy. What's your recommendation to market it?   

Post: Are rents dropping in your market? You are not alone.

Joseph HammelPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Lake Hallie, WI
  • Posts 288
  • Votes 140

We are feeling it's slower. Have had some big remodeled units that unfortunately came up late in the year. Some unexpected vacancies. There's a lot to be said about this but having process in place to mitigate turns going bad helps. Example mentioned already of shifting the leases to term out in the summer. May- July is good. Side note I have one landlord friend who actually has his renew in the middle of winter so they can't find another place. Another pro tip. Start communication about 2 months prior to the lease ending sending out renewal emails and following up with a text or a phone call to confirm. In addition to doing regular inspections as soon as someone gives notice due and immediate inspection to determine if the unit is being kept up decent or if you need to plan on some repairs before it is turned. Perhaps they are things that could be done while the other tenant is still there? 

Post: Raise one rent, raise all of them to prevent false claims of discrimination?

Joseph HammelPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Lake Hallie, WI
  • Posts 288
  • Votes 140

No reason they could claim discrimination for a rent increase. Just keep the amount within any local rules and give proper notice. The reason for the rent is none of their business. If they think it's too much then tell them they should shop around for somewhere else.

Post: Buildium circling the drain?

Joseph HammelPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Lake Hallie, WI
  • Posts 288
  • Votes 140

Hello,

We have been using Buildium for 7 years but have noticed a number of "glitches" lately. The most common one is that when we get a new lease signed we are not getting the rent roll populated. 

I feel like since real page bought them out it has gone downhill. 

Is anybody else having these issues?

We are looking for a new solution. We have checked out appfolio and someone else recommended door loop but we haven't reached out to them yet.

We have about 57 properties and 145 units.  

Post: Who is using chat bots?

Joseph HammelPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Lake Hallie, WI
  • Posts 288
  • Votes 140

Can anyone recommend a chat bot. We want one for answering/ directing listings and maybe more. Have about 135 units we own and manage. Something that can answer fb messages, zillow, ect.  

Post: Rental upgrades 1 year write off?

Joseph HammelPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Lake Hallie, WI
  • Posts 288
  • Votes 140

Hi, some of what you described is maintenance like the tree. Some of it may need to be capitalized. Depending on the cost you should be asking your account/ tax pro about the safe harbor rules. There is some leyway in being able to write off/ expense some stuff based on percentages of the basis and some other rules. My old tax guy was capping silly stuff like  $100 used appliances. New one just calls it a repair. I see you are in Eau Claire. Me too. Check out Grayham tax service in EC. 

Post: Eau Claire REI Summer Cookout!

Joseph HammelPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Lake Hallie, WI
  • Posts 288
  • Votes 140

Should be fun.