All Forum Posts by: Kelly Bellini

@Shawn L. thank you!  I suppose the only reason I was thinking of asking her straight-up is to give her a chance.  The whole thing is making me second guess myself (maybe I heard her wrong???  Granted, she mentioned "brother" twice, so I think I didn't mis-hear).  I like the idea of being vague though.

@Carl Hebert good idea, verifying how many would be living there.  I have a problem with being overly concerned.  My biggest downfall as a landlord :)

@Adam Martin that's really solid advice.  Makes a lot of sense.  I do always fear that something could be used against me.  Thank you!

@Matthew Crivelli  Yup, my thoughts exactly.  Eek.  I hate stuff like this.

@Adam Martin thanks!  I'm glad to know I'm not the only one looking on FB!  I am truly shocked by some of the FB profiles I've seen from people inquiring about the property.  Do you think I should go ahead and just ask her?  But again, I don't like that there was a lie right off the bat.  Ugh!!!!

@Matthew Crivelli Yes, I thought it was a strange thing to lie about, as well!  Have any ideas on how I would word it to her?  I don't want to look like I was prying, or that I don't trust her...ugh

@Matthew Crivelli  I for sure liked him, and wouldn't mind him moving in.  BUT, if there's another adult in there, I just have to check his credit first.  So, that's my dilemma. :/

I'm in the process of finding new tenants for one of our houses, and I've pretty much got it narrowed down to this single mom and her 3 kids.  But, there's just one thing bothering me, and I wanted to reach out to you guys to see if this is ACTUALLY a problem, and if I need to do anything about it.  When she came to see the house, she brought her "brother" with her, at least that's who they said he was.  He had a child, and she had her 3 children.  No problem at all.  I liked them all.  But then, I looked her up on Facebook, as I do with all potential applicants, and it actually said that she was "in a relationship" with him.  And he's not her brother.  I know this is her personal business, but I don't feel good about starting things off with what seems to be a lie.  Is there some reason to even lie about this, that I'm not thinking of?  I'm just confused, and I hate any red flags (obviously).  Should I ask her?  Or is that overstepping?  Was I even allowed to look on FB? Should I just let it go, and continue on with her credit/background check?  It seems that the only potential problem is if he moves in, and he's not on the lease, and I didn't credit check him.  But, why the lie???  Any thoughts you have are MUCH appreciated.  Thanks!!

@Lynn McGeein this is excellent info, especially seeing as we are not familiar, at all, with new construction.  You know, my tenants told me how much their earnest money deposit was, and I was shocked.  It was way higher than what my husband and I had put down on any "used" homes we'd purchased in the area.  Now I see that that may have been because it was a new build.  Ugh.  The houses do seem to be in pretty high demand, and the builder's agent is a total mess--not on top of anything, giving the wrong info about the house, giving the wrong key codes.  I truly hope they don't make it any more difficult than it has to be...Fingers are tightly crossed.  In the end, if it takes longer than planned, it should be ok, as they will keep paying us rent for a bit longer.  Thanks so much for all your insight!

@John Teachout ha!  Totally my thoughts, John.  I'd rather get the tires!!!