All Forum Posts by: Kate Horrell

Following. I don't do this as a business strategy, but I have two particular properties that I really want to buy. The owner recently passed away. I had been writing to him about once a year, and I sent his daughter a note after her father died. I don't want to be rude, but I also don't want to miss an opportunity.

Ditto on what everyone else has said. As a property owner who is also a renter, I HATE moving into a house with someone else's colors in it. At least a beige/grey color isn't white, and pops nicely with clean white trim, and it isn't going to clash with my furniture or give me a headache when I'm in that room.

I use a khaki/tan called Greenbrier Beige by Benjamin Moore, and Sherwin Williams has a nice one called Ramie. I like colors that change as the light changes. But I like the grey-beige idea, especially for a house with good light.

Obviously, I have no idea about this situation, but something feels off to me. Do you know this guy?

I would look at it as two entirely separate transactions, and make sure you have covered yourself legally for each of them. If you do it right, the fact that you are also renting to him will have absolutely no impact on the fact that he is your investment partner. Otherwise, it seems like there are a lot of loopholes that could somehow be exploited. (Such as, how do you evict someone that owns part of the property if they choose not to pay the rent.)

I hope you can make it work it. It sounds like a decent plan, but I would be wary.

Congratulations to you! Keep us updated on your future success!

Welcome, Marc. You've come to the right place!

We own two properties in Anne Arundel County. I know some people are doing very well in Baltimore. I hope you become one of those people!

My husband and I used to think that we liked to be geographically diverse, to mitigate our risks from local area economics. However, I've become and expert in certain areas and now those are the only places I'm comfortable buying. Plus, I have good team members (PMs, contractors, etc, in those areas.)

I think there are two sides to it. You could be putting all your eggs in one basket, but if you know the basket inside out and backwards, and you know it is stable and strong, why not?

I'm glad to hear this has worked out for you. I've often wondered about these insurance rentals. I have one friend who has rented her house this way several times, and several friends who have been the renters themselves. (Unfortunately)

I was approached once, about five years ago, for a property that I had listed as a short-term lease. I thought everything was going well but then it didn't happen. It was my perception that they did not like that I was asking for higher rent because they were only guaranteeing four months of the ten months I had available. I was already offering he property at a discount because of the short term (no one rents short term where this property is located - kids and schools and stuff) and could not afford to have a shorter-term lease.

Do you have any suggestions for how someone could actively seek these types of rentals. It seems perfect for certain situations. Thanks!

Following, as I am considering a Homepath property for my next purchase. Thank you in advance to all who can help us newbies!

Is the "jag" in the photo really on the house, or is that just an image issue?

I'd strongly recommend a really good window box. Go to the garden center with a picture and the dimensions of the window, and get help constructing the right group of plants for the box. It's an art and most of us don't have the right eye. This is going to be the cheapest and easiest thing to do.

I actually like the idea of a roof or even a teensy entry room on the front. That would be very Tudor but could get pricey.

Speaking as a buyer, I think the inside looks pretty darn good, but I would never know because I'd drive by and flee.

Also, and this is just one of my pet peeves as someone who vets a lot of properties over the internet. You have a bjillion photos, most of them are repeats, and they go in no particular order. If you aren't going to list an actual video, fewer photos and in some sensible order allows a prospective buyer to imagine walking through in their mind. Instead, I felt like I was having flashbacks...living room, kitchen, bathroom, kitchen, basement, yard, kitchen, AUGH! (I mean this in the nicest possible way.)

I hope you're able to sell or rent!