All Forum Posts by: Kevin Ha

Hey guys, I'm here for the event, but I don't see anyone. Did you guys move to a different location?

Hi everyone, not sure if you guys get the follow up or not, but I felt that I've love reading follows ups when reading forums, so I figure better late then never. I took some of your guys' advice and set out baits and traps, the professional kind (expensive but it works). I've worked with my tenant that was having the problem and helped cleaned her pantry (, she said that her pantry was clean, as I was cleaning it, there was open bags of rice and pasta chewed through by the mice, which also jumped out at me, fun!). So, that got her act together quiet a bit as we through out all the food that was feeding the little monsters and threw it out. I let her have a cat as it seemed to give her a reason to act effectively and it seems like it was keeping the mice at bay or at least leading her to where it could be. As far as I can tell, I've done a monthly inspection afterwards and she is still taking care of the property. I've also help seal up any holes that seemed to be were the mice was getting in and out. More work but it looks like it paid off. Found 2 dead mice and the problem now all seems to be going gone. I don't know what the spring has in store but it looks like at least for now, It quiet. Thank you for the help. I was freaking out a bit as it was my first property and I'm glad I got through the first hurdle, Thank you guys again!

Canarsie, Brooklyn

Okay guys, thank you for the replies. I will try to resolve this issue as soon as possible and prevent further issues. One thing i worry about is that in my tenants kitchen is a brick facade. it seems like there's a mini crawl space behind the facade and the actual sheet rock.the cabinets and sink and everything else is in front of the facade. Does that mean I have to redo the whole kitchen now? also my home is a semi-attached brick row house. It is the last house at the end of a row of houses, 2 units. Both rented.

Hello guys,

I'm back with another round of questions from a newbie investor. Maybe you can help me navigate this awkward situation. Currently, I have a tenant that moved in February. Since then she has have a mice problem. It started with her saying that she had been hearing scratches along the walls so we boarded some things up and I gave her suggestions on how to keep the house clean so that mice won't exists. At that point it was dirty but she said that it was just that one day. I also suggested sticky traps as they were the best working (not the most humane, i know) but others just wouldn't do the job.she started catching them, she's apparently up to #10 in the last 2 months. However, when she started renting in February, there was not a mice problem and it didn't start until late April/May when she first started to notice them. She even got a cat saying it was to help with the mice, but I had ask to have her remove it as it was against the no pet clause in the lease. She is on a government program (CityFEPS) helping with her pay in NYC. At this point, I've said that I can no longer can help you and you need to call an exterminator. she said she did and the estimate was going to be about $350. She's stating that it is difficult for her to pay because of Covid and what not and says the exterminator also said she's going to need to do the whole house+basement. The first floor unit also has a tenant so I'm not sure about removing them just so the exterminator can lay traps and interrupt their lifestyle. they also have no issues with mice. I think she's going to use that to say I should pay for some if not all of the exterminator bill since it will require the whole house. Also, In my lease, it stated that the unit they are renting from is pest free from the date of rental and if any pest situation arises, that they will be responsible for it and not me. Also, I had passed inspection for the CityFEPs to be approved for a tenant to live here. I'm in NYC, Brooklyn if it helps. I called HRA but they said that because I own the property that is it still my responsibility and ultimately I would have to pay anyway. Is there anything I can do? Thanks for the help.

Warm Regards,
Kevin

Hi Guys,

I really need some help and understanding what is going on here and I appreciate all feedback and help. I'm a first time investor and I have been trying to close on a property. I finally am down to about 1-2 weeks left before it closes after a long back and fourth with the sellers. I looking at my closing disclosures and I realized that the closing cost is way higher then I had anticipated. It was for a number of reason but it seems like one of them was that the annual property tax bill was increased from $4000 to $6000. I do not understand how that is possible as before i brought the property, i looked at the county record and saw that the taxes has been around $4000. Even when going under contract, it was actually estimated to be less about 3.8k. Now, my lender is saying that the tax bill they've received is way higher. I just checked their recent tax bill and it looks like the overall tax rate hasn't changed either so I am confused as to where this number is coming from. Has anyone gone through this situation before? I'm in NYC by the way. Thank you.

Regards,

Kevin

Hi Dan,

I understand your fear and reluctance to choose something. As new investor myself, it seems like at least your previous experience will get you past the con-artists and you should be well on your way to getting your first deal. From my understanding, it doesn't matter where you buy the deal as long as you crunch the numbers right and you know what you want. From your post, you said you wanted a multi-family. Why don't you get your feet with with a duplex first? Something less expensive (therefore less risk) so you get some more experience and understanding. Once that is done and complete and you know the workings, then try moving on to a 4-plex? This is the route I'm taking and I believe at the worst case, the experience I get will help me on my next deal if the first one comes crashing down for some reason (fingers cross it won't happen) and at least I won't have too much equity in it. Hope it helps!

Wow, thank you for so much insight everyone. Super helpful. I will take everything into consideration and I will post a follow up if you would like, once I have chosen tenants. 

Wow, thank you guys for all the response. My follow up question to @John Underwood, how do you know what a "good tenant with a pet" is? what makes you think you can trust them with a pet? I'm reading "how to manage your rental property by Brandon but it doesn't cover this section as much.

Hello everyone!

I'm not sure if this question has been asked before but I am in quite a predicament when it comes to my rental property. I just bought a property and will soon be house hacking away. Currently, I own a dog as a pet. However, due to the horror stories I heard about tenants with pets and the damages they can cause, I am reluctant to accept tenants with pets and keep my units pet free. I understand and am willing to pay for damages or issues my dog may create but I am worried that my tenants will not do the same. For example, if the banister is chewed up, i'm left with damages their pet cause and will be the one to foot the bill. Is it fair or legal (i'm in NYC) to advertise and put a policy in place when the units are pet free but I, myself have a pet? I can see how it can seem unfair in some people's eyes but at the end of the day, if damage were to occur, it will fall on me and not them. What seems reasonable and how can I go about this in a fair and understanding manner? Thank you for your responses and feedback.