All Forum Posts by: Joyce Tavares

Curb appeal is the first thing to take care of....a couple of flowers, pressure washing any stained or dirty concrete, cleaning windows, taking care of damages, etc.  

Also, would recommend getting a termite inspection report to see what needs to be done...you would have to do this anyway if you plan on selling.  It is worth the cost.

If you rent to someone who has history of being dirty, just go by where he lives and you will see what your rental will look like!  I, personally, would NOT rent to this guy...

If you're afraid to even go in the area, then definitely sell and maybe do a 1031 exchange into a rental in a nicer area.  :0)  It's a good time with interest so low.  That is what I did years ago and I'm glad I did.

I always look at the amount of the judgments and what they are for and how long ago the judgement was made.  Evictions are an automatic no, but judgments are not a issue if they have already been paid them or they don't amount to much.  I have had applicants who were not even aware that they had a judgment against them.   My main concerns are that they have good FICO scores, steady income, good references and good rental history.  

I have just found a product, while on BP, that will replace disposals should one give out.  It is called SemperScreen and it sounds great and has good reviews.  (Note: I don't sell these.)  There are so many times when tenants have put pennies, broken glass, bottle tops, etc. into disposal and it requires either a new disposal and at the least, a service call.  This product would eliminate any disposal-related calls, save on water, alleviate any tenant injuries, and would help keep food out of the lines.  Just thought I would share...I am going to use these on my next disposal call.  Just search YouTube to see how they work.

I have been landlording for years and find that one can always learn from others...I enjoy a forum of landlords, as the input is invaluable.  Thank you BP landlords....

Definitely check with the broker....could be a lot of things from financing to looking at the termite report....

Good luck...3rd times a charm??  :0)

If you're at the high end of rents, that is a good choice.  However, if you are on the low side and the tenants are not that good (do not take care of property, constant complaining, etc.), then increasing it closer to the market rent would allow you to re-rent to better tenants if your existing ones felt the increase was too high and decide to move.  If they stay, fine...but if they give you notice, then once they leave, increase the unit's rent to the maximum the market will bare.  

I know it's not good to promote vacancies, but as a landlord I have found that sometimes this is the best solution.  Very difficult, but necessary.  And I try to raise rents on each tenant's anniversary, so as not to have too many give me notice at one time. Not always fun being a landlord, unfortunately.

I always try to do something for the increase in rent as well.  Maybe painting, carpet cleaning, new flooring, fountains, flowers, etc.  Figure if you increase the rent by $50 to $100, then multiply that by 12.  That's at least $1200 you can put back into the unit, or your own pocket,  but if they decide to leave, you will get a chance to get a tenant that will take better care of your property and pay more rent.

I have been using Tenant File for years (over 15 years)...and always update it when they have updates available.  Easy to post, has a lot of features and good for small to large companies.  You can download a demo for free at their website:  www.tenantfile.com   There is no monthly fee and you can ask for support FREE thru emails.  If you need to talk to someone there is a fee.  I always do it thru emails and their response is very fast.  Highly recommend.

Have tried many others....this just works best for me.

Washers and dryers are pretty easy to fix, especially if your tenant is a car mechanic, which is a lot harder.  I have an appliance guy I use who charges $50 service call plus parts...super honest and fast repairs.  I also use YouTube to check out what exactly needs to be done.  If the appliance is really old or if it continually breaks down, I would just purchase a used one from the Used Appliance store...for not much more than the cost of what it would be to repair it.  They also have free delivery and take the old one.  :0)  Or pick one up from Craigslist....great deals there!

Appliance techs are not licensed where I live either....  Hayward, CA

17 years is a long time ago and her honesty should be appreciated.  People make mistakes and learn from their mistakes.  Point in question:

I have wonderful credit, and always have, but I still have a $287 judgment against me for a claim I submitted against a plumber 7 years ago!!  I had already paid a plumber the amount he quoted ($287), and then he sent me a $750 bill because he lost his camera in the drain!  He filed a counter claim and it was dismissed, but the $287, which I had already paid, showed up.  It has been almost 7 years now and it bugs me every time I see it on my credit report.  However, I have learned a lesson to "mediate" if possible should you go to court to try to get a judgment.  Lesson learned...  Soooo, yes, I have a judgment against me...but it doesn't mean I do this all the time....so just screen them thoroughly for their existing credit, any RECENT evictions, definitely call the previous landlords listed and follow up on personal and work references.  Diligent screening will teach you a LOT and will save you a lot of heartache as a landlord!   And since you're new, the book "Landlording", as mentioned by another landlord, is an excellent source to start your career.  I LOVE being a landlord...but there is good and bad that goes with it.  Just keep learning from mistakes.  :0)  Best of luck.....  Joyce  

I DID think he meant San Francisco....haha  I will try to read more thoroughly....being from California I'm unaware of rents in other states... :0)  Have been a landlord it seems like forever, so need to focus!