All Forum Posts by: Karen S.

We just have a few rentals. The renters are responsible for mowing and snow removal. we do any hedge trimming ourselves. I have a special affection for hedges and want it done right. Like others, if we see the grass up too high, we text the renters. 

we are using vinyl click tiles from HD in a light gray stone color for a kitchen that leads to a 1950s oak hardwood floor. They are gorgeous! The main difference from real tile is that there are no grout lines or spaces between them. The original floor was asbestos (likely) vinyl tile so need to get that covered and the floor is not level enough for real tile. this is not the tile we used, but it's similar (darker): 

I agree. it's regional. but anyone that has ripped up even two year old carpet will NEVER want carpet again once they run it and see what is underneath

I like your solution to the swingset, @James Fowler.

I have to say that a pool or a trampoline would both be a "no" from me. In addition to the insurance, if something happened to their child or child's friend, I think i would not be able to avoid feeling bad about it, knowing I could have prevented it.

i think it looks nice compared to the one i am working on....and we are keeping the cabinets!

I wanted to add my sympathy to the OP plight. We have had moments like this in our (very) small rental business. It has been hard for hubby and me to become the kind of landlord that we need to be to make the business work. We are still getting there. And, I don't think you are particularly cursed, or else we all are...there are easy years and then there are years full of sewer backups, carpenter bees, and overdue rent payments. I hope you can find a way to weather yours. Selling just the one property might be the way to get back on track. Good luck.

i hadn't even thought about permitting issues. i don't think the township would have a problem with it-- kind of an addition to something already there-- but that is my decision to make not theirs. thanks! this is why i consult BP!

Hi everyone

I am seeking your opinions, suggestions, and input about a situation at our rental property. We have a "good" tenant, pays on time, not too many complaints, etc. Recently we stopped by his place--he was not home-- and noticed that he has made physical improvements to the outside of the property...think something permanent in nature like an arbor or porch railing. Without saying too much about it, we can see the logic behind the improvement and it doesn't look bad, or like poor workmanship, but hey-- the lease says you cannot make permanent changes to the property. At the least, there should have been a request for this improvement, or something like it. we probably would have done it ourselves. 

At this point, we do not want to rip out the work..it looks fine, it's outside, and it (apparently) meets renter's need. HOWEVER, we realize we can't let it stand, the idea that making unauthorized approvals is ok. We are ready to do something, but what? and we are otherwise happy with this renter. Your advice, BP? Hit me with it, I can take it.

I think if you have not accepted any applications it is fine.

A new school year is starting. You can justify the change (but you don't need to justify it) by saying that you re evaluate and raise rent with the opening of each new school year. That's when we change our rents, if we are going to. 

BTW I love it that you used a regression model to determine market rent. 

The fact that some people respond really negatively to dirty distressed homes is the main reason that they are available at lower prices for investors seeking cashflow opportunities. It's probably not just your mom, but many people who would see this place as "a dump". That's ok, they can buy it when it's all fixed up, for a higher price. We just invested in a place that is very similar to one we looked at twenty years ago. At that time we could not have imagined dealing with the problems that were no big deal for us now.