All Forum Posts by: Keaton M.

I am doing a remodel on a fourplex in Austin. I removed a furr down in the kitchen/living room housing an AC duct. I originally intended to just move the duct into the ceiling which is 16" floor trusses that would fit a 10" diameter pipe. I was informed by AC contractors that what I wanted would cut the air flow down too much. So my options now are to install a ductless minisplit system for the downstairs, get the trusses re-engineered to make a bigger opening, or install exposed ductwork. 

The latter 2 options are preferable. So my questions are: 

1) Does anyone have experience with exposed ducts and tenants' responses to them?

2) Does anyone know of a contractor in Austin that does residential exposed ducts? I've called multiple places and have not been able to find one. 

Many thanks!

@Erik Whiting “whatever you do, don’t go into debt for it” is an interesting take on a real estate investment forum lol

@Travis Lucy this is perfect! Thanks so much 

Hopefully y’all will be able to shed some light on this. I am currently doing a remodel on a fourplex. I am trying to do it by the book, but I definitely see why people skip the permits. Each unit will have a shower conversion, installing new lights, and moving AC ducts and I need permits for each. I’m just doing the first unit for now and the other three down the road. I’m trying to have the contractor do the licensed part and I’m filling in the rest i.e. their changing the shower plumbing and I’m installing tile for shower surround. I’m trying to figure out the timing of everything so I dont accidentally cover something then have to open it back up. My plumber said all three trade inspection would occur at the same time so I would have to wait until each trade is done before I can do anything. Is this true or could I schedule the plumbing inspection then the other two later? I’d like to work on tile while lights are going in. Thanks for any input. Also, I’m in the Austin area if that matters.

Thanks. I'm going to do some digging and contact the city and try to contact the owner/manager. 

The neighboring fourplex keeps putting mattresses in front of my property. It’s a shared spot for trash pick up but makes my place look bad when there’s a mattress sitting there getting nasty. There were about 6 mattresses there for at least four months until bulk pick up came. Two weeks later, there’s more mattresses. I’m not sure which tenant it is though and I’m assuming it’s that property. I’m not sure how to approach this. Do I go to the tenants, landlord, or the city?

@Keaton Munsterman I said that backwards. Discourage them from stopping them being destructive

@Chris Anderson

Would making the pet deposit non refundable discourage them from allowing the pet to be destructive?

@Cassi Justiz

Thanks so much for the information that helps a lot and that makes sense for realtors to discourage it. So would that information be in the form of a letter explaining each option or just a 1,2,3 type deal? Also, how did you know the seller was interested in owner financing?

I don't believe that dumb questions exist, but I'll try my best. So pretty much every podcast talks about "how did you negotiate the deal". To be honest, I'm not really sure how this happens. Whenever they talk about negotiating, it sounds like they are talking directly with the seller rather than going through the seller's agent. I've worked a bit with a real estate agent and she just said, oh put in an offer and see if they go for it. Ok fine, but I want to know why they are selling it and have a conversation so I can practice my Never Split the Difference techniques and be able to work them down rather than just throwing a number and hoping it sticks. How would I offer multiple options like owner financing, cash, or conventional? Is it against the rules to find the owner's contact information through white pages or social media and contact them directly? 

Thank you in advance for all y'alls amazing responses. I've really enjoyed this community.