All Forum Posts by: Karen S.

I have read through. I think it's a good idea that the OP consulted the BP crowd. It seems that it would be hard to avoid any and all deals that have a whiff of shady around them- in some places you might not make any deals at all. Still, from what you have written this guy sounds like just too much work. I am happy to do my due diligence on a property, but I would feel like I had to investigate this guy, his daughter, and his realtor on the side. Even if it's irrational, that is how i would feel and so I would probably be out looking for the next place. 

BTW, I own several buildings built in the 1920s. It seems like between 1925 and the present people in our area were in the walls doing just crazy stuff with the plumbing, the electric, and even the structure itself. I'm not in your area, but anymore we are looking for houses that are not updated because there are so many obvious mistakes out there. What is underneath the granite and exposed brick. And how is the pointing on that exposed brick?  Good luck with whatever you decide.

must list all adults that will live at the property on the lease.

@Max Tanenbaum and @Dana Whicker thanks for the super fast replies! i will go back to my favorite home depot helper (the plumbing aisle guy) and stock up on gaskets!!

hi there

I inherited a glacier bay two part toilet with a recent property purchase. lucky me! The toilet works ok, but it is leaking from the tank, apparently through the two bolt holes that secure the tank to the bottom part. Here is the crazy thing, it is leaking only when actively flushing...otherwise the underside of the tank is dry and the tank is full (not a slow leak). Has anyone ever heard of this? and do you have any hints? I would pitch it in the dumpster, but the dumpster is filling rapidly so i will save it if I can. thanks

Karen

Is there something called "adult protective services" in Texas? I would call them and ask their advice, as a concerned observer. I would also check the lease to see what it says about maintaining a safe residence. If hoarding is too great, then fire escape routes could be compromised, putting the tenant in danger. Does your local fire department have any advice? I am sure they would love to act in a preventative way to keep people that hoard safe...imagine trying to rescue someone in that situation! Good luck, this is a toughie.

Hi Kassie

I don't have a lot of experience in your type of situation but I wanted to offer two things:

1) i hear you on the life with kids situation..btw I don't have spotify and i can afford it. nope still don't have it. it's hard saying no constantly..i have sympathy for your situation

2) apart from all the numbers, do not underestimate the stress of keeping this house..selling it as is, even if the total money that comes back to you is not great, will be a huge relief. sell as fast as possible and live to invest another day

good luck to you

Welcome to the local RE market. I am not an expert but I used to live in a neighborhood on the border of Greenfield and liked it a lot. I have long admired Greenfield but didn't have the cash to invest. Now the prices have risen above my range. Definitely you would be able to rent it out there, but the housing stock is older than Monroeville, so there are important differences. Also, city of PGH schools instead of Gateway district..if you are aiming at family rentals.

I am investing with the buy and hold strategy and it is a very slow method, but it suits me. I am not a flipper and I can't imagine pursuing a strategy that doesn't fit just to get to my ultimate REI approach. A house-hack on the other hand was basically our start, although it wasn't called that at the time. You could approach your duplex house hack with one of the units as a "trial flip"...see if you can meet the time and budget demands of a flip on that unit, but instead of selling, rent it out.

It sounds exciting! Good luck...

beautiful job...the wainscoting is just right for this kind of cape cod house, IMO