All Forum Posts by: Justin Murray

just to give an update on this old thread, I just paid for an appraisal in tacoma for a refinance on $750,000 house and it cost me $860

I'll be the oddball out and say I use more than two colors.

I go with sw unusual grey, requisite grey and argos for rooms. Then I use the sw Olympic white for bathrooms, cabinets and trim.

I use the same colors in all the houses so I buy it in bulk. Not 200 gallon bulk like a previous poster was mentioning. That would take me forever to go through.

Last year I got a lot of comments from potential renters commenting on how much they liked the paint and they really liked that it wasnt just plain white like they usually see.

I obviously can't guarantee it will help reduce vacancy but it helps my units stand out (in a good way)

@Karl B.

Well look at that. Usb outlets as low as $5 each when bought in a pack. I guess I'll be doing those next. Thanks.

I do also add a "tech package" including a nest thermostat and keyless front door lock.

But I dont do garbage disposals. So go figure.

@Karl B.

Has anyone found a cheap source for USB outlets. When I redid the outlets in a rental, I looked at them but they were close to $50 each. I just couldn't justify that over the 0.50 cent outlet.

@Dean Attali This does sound rough and im sorry you are going through it. Luckily I haven't had a tenant liked this yet but I am the parent of a 4 year old and it sounds like they use very similar tactics. Right now, this tenant is training you. They are learning that if they ask and ask and bug you over and over again eventually you will give in. There's no reason you should be doing cosmetic upgrades per their preferences. You need to operate this like a business . When you give in just because they bother you frequently they learn all they have to do to get their way is keep asking. Say no firmly the first time they ask and dont give in. If something is a violation of the law or puts safety at stake, absolutely fix it as fast as possible. Also, I would say that the tenant isn't as big of a problem as your pm

Like everyone says it depends on your market. But if all the other rentals around you don't have the it might make sense for you to supply them so your unit stands out. Spend 300 to buy a lightly used set and bump the rent by 25. They are paid off in a year and if anything goes wrong you buy another set. I've never had to replace a washer or dryer within 2 years of buying one (knock on wood. ) And dont worry about tenants saying your washer doesn't clean well enough. That is not a true service call that needs fixing.

 @Aaron Nelson

Thanks for your input

I was noticing there have been updates to the Tacoma Municipal Code 1.95 which covers Rental housing.

I found this article explaining much of it (https://www.wmfha.org/news/details-about-tacomas-n...) , but I am still unclear on how some parts are to be executed.

The first three items they mention aren't figured out yet so no one knows how to deal with them yet.  The fourth item allows tenants to pay deposits in installments over 3 months.  I'm assuming equal payments monthly?  There isn't really any reason I can think I'd even want to deal with weekly payments to cover the deposit.  

There is also a 60-day notice to vacate for no-clause termination of tenancy and a 60-day notice requirement for rent increases.

In the past I've sent a notice to the tenants 1 month in advance laying out their options to renew the lease or terminate the lease and move out.  With the new 60-days notice requirement do I need to send them the notice 60days ahead of the lease end or do I need to receive it back from them 60 days before the lease end?

@Nathan G. Which bank did you use for your heloc? I've been shopping around lately and haven't found any near 4.99% which you are saying is high. Thanks

@Steve Emling I'll put in another vote for cozy.co. it was even easy to handle prorated rents.