All Forum Posts by: Kevin Smith

Double Door stops, Spring baseboard and wall knob ball

Flooring:
Allure 1x3 tile style for Kitchens
Porcelain for Bath rooms
Allure Ultra for the rest of house

Plastic totes under sinks or scrap Vinyl flooring

Kwikset Rekey kit for locks (I can remove and rekey a lock in 5 minutes) sometimes I use the same keys by filing down and changing one pin.

I change Furnace filters every 2 to 3 months and check under all sinks while there. 

If doing renovation I make close door openings smaller and install single hinged doors to get rid of sliders. for big closet openings I plan on dividing closet and using two standard doors. 

You may consider submetering -

http://www.ekmmetering.com/

Watch out for that comfort zone It will bite you. we inherited a tenant when we bought our first rental I wanted to get rid of her several times but wife insisted on keeping because it was in her comfort zone. It cost me many headaches and a lot of dollars. we have since came to an agreement that if one of us says they go, their gone.

I have 4 units.
All locks are Kwikset so I purchased a Pin kit and extra set of locks takes about 10 minutes to rekey a lock. and cost nothing once you buy kit. I have even hand filed an existing Key to change pattern. With extra set you can rekey ahead of time and swap out locks. very easy and many YouTube videos to learn from.

http://www.amazon.com/Kwikset-272-Lock-Keying-Kit/dp/B0009XB44Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1438880013&sr=8-2&keywords=lock+pin+set+kwikset

I have tried to get away from sliding doors where possible. I have used double doors and even framed them in smaller to use one door depending on the width of closet.

 Sorry I do not remember brand, when I told Home Depot worker about the problem he gave me a small tube off the shelf that works with vinyl.

They could be fake.
He might be trying to stop bad behavior in area.
I would just ask him what's going on.

Allure Vinyl  - I have been using the regular type in kitchens this is a floating floor that each piece sticks to the other and have been happy with it.

Pro - easy to put down, easy to clean, very durable, water resistant

Con - I have had a few corners pop up after installation easy fix with adhesive.

Allure Ultra Vinyl - I have been using this in the rest of house except bath, this is a click together floating floor.

Pro - easy to put down, easy to clean, very durable, water proof, If you end up with a wear area you could reuse good planks. I put in with shoe molding so it is easy to remove.

Con - $3 SF, If you do not get together correctly it could come apart - I recommend waiting till last moment before putting down shoe molding and doing bedrooms separately with threshold. 

Started using these about 3 years ago have not had any damage yet and tenants like it.

Buy a couple of portable floor units or small window units and give tenant a time line for Central Air installation. Once you have installed Central Air you can put your small AC units in storage for emergency's. Tenant may not be thrilled but at least they can't say you are not fulfilling your agreement.

I have seen white cabinets with a plastic coating that can separate from the wood, I have stayed away from white because of this.

Is this what you guys are buying or is it all wood?