All Forum Posts by: Wendy Black

We finally had to pay a Home Depot contractor to have it done. Best deal after a number of bids.

I don't quite remember the discussion at this point, but it included problems with the location and getting it up to code.

Let me know if you're interested or contact my son listed on the ad. It's in an excellent location.

Thanks.

Our team has been signing more higher-end ($150k-$225k) manufactured/mobile homes to sell in the Phoenix area. We need to consider different strategies than our lower-priced ones. What would you suggest? 

One was a "steal" for the price: came with 3 TVs (including an 82") and an 8-camera security system. Tried marketing to Chicago potentials as a reasonable purchase for spring training buffs and golfers who wanted to play year 'round. Nothing happened. Even locally, it's been stretch. 

Thanks.

Thank you, Nancy!

We didn't even think of contacting another investors group, and we belong to AZREI, the largest one in AZ. I was hoping someone here would have referrals. 

Even though it would be a small percentage of a home that's coming up on a mil, the bottom line is that it still needs to make fiscal sense. 

Thanks for all your advice. I think it was built in the '90s. Insurance won't touch it. 

There's no water damage we know of other than a bit of cracked tile and the need for some patching. We won't know if there's anything structurally wrong until the bathtub is removed, but my son has had a 2nd floor bathtub in 3 different homes, and he says they've always had a bit of a rock. 

We've had 2 estimates so far. We'll have a third next week.

Even though we're raising the rent, it's because they're substantially below market value. Even with the planned increase, they will remain below. It's just not worth losing good tenants and having to incur expenses to ready it for others. They also love the home so much that they've asked if they could replace the first floor carpeting and paint the bathrooms on their dime. They've been there for years and want to remain there for at least another three.

The $11k-$17k charge isn't for full demolition of the bathroom. It's just to replace the tub either with another tub or a shower surround. 

This is the fourth water-related problem in this property in the past 11 years. We must've spent $30-40k out-of-pocket so far. Years ago, a plumber told us that whoever plumbed the subdivision had issues with the pipes as they curved around the corners, so we're not the only ones with issues. 

We appreciate your advice and will review it. We never considered a HELOC. There is another second floor bathtub, which they have been using. We can cut them a break in the rent increase as we explore what is feasible.

We're in Phoenix and have owned a rental in Oceanside for quite a few years. It's a beautiful home (in Rancho Del Oro) and hasn't been vacant a day, but we've had several issues through the years with the plumbing. We were told it was construction in the entire subdivision. This time it's the tub that's rocking in the master bathroom on the second floor. We're told it wasn't installed correctely. It looked as if it just had to be regrouted, but no. One vendor quoted us $11k-$15k to demo it and do the necessary repairs and bring it up to code. We thought of having it converted to a one-piece acrylic or fiberglass shower and called Home Depot. They're still around the $15k.

Between paying for a family emergency and some remodeling on another rental, we literally can't afford it at this point. We were hoping we could've just done it for about $4k. (Yes, I know it's more expensive in SoCal.) We owe about $130k on this home that's worth north of $900k. We're not keen on getting a second mortgage. While we're raising the rent by a couple of hundred dollars, it's not even paying for the hefty repairs last year. 

My first question is does anyone know of someone more reasonably priced in the area who could come out and give the PM a lower quote? I suppose we could leave it as-is for the time being and not raise their rent by the $200 we had planned to until we could afford to repair it. There is another bathroom in the house. I certainly don't want to run up another $20k on a charge. We discussed selling or doing a 1031, but the commission would be about $50k, and we don't want to lose that now. 

Any ideas?

Thanks.

A friend in the Philly area is in desperate need of environmentally safe housing for herself and her 20-something daughter. She is chemically sensitive from pesticide exposure, and they had a major fire in their home a couple of months ago. It won't be remediated for another 6 months to a year. They've had a place to stay for a few weeks, but now they need to leave. She lives in Wynnewood, which is a suburb of Philly. She's contacted realtors and went to many homes and apartments to rent, but they either were scented with sprays, just painted/cleaned, or had new building materials installed.
I know this is a longshot, but if you know anyone in the Philly area  who might have property (or rooms to rent) where the owner is environmentally conscious, please let me know. She's also a few miles from NJ, but I am unfamiliar with that part of the country. She and her 20-something daughter are teachers. Dogs would be a problem because of allergies, but they're ok with cats.

If you have any contacts who might be able to help her find something, please pass on my email.  Thank you.

Someone has approached us with a new MH that she wants to move from storage but doesn't want to live in it. It's a double-wide for over $240k. The company we're affiliated with only flips MHs for sale or rent and acts as agents for others to sell their MHs. Commission would be healthy, if we can accommodate her. Do any parks do this?

Thanks.

Homelessness is a rising problem among seniors, a vulnerable population. Do everything you can about not going there. 

No, it's not your problem, but you can be a decent human being about it. For all of those who say the obvious "we're a business, not a charity", this could be YOUR mother or grandmother. All these "sweet granny baking cookies and babysitting" and playing bingo at "the old folks center" comments are stereotypical nonsense. Many of today's 80-year-olds may be on Social Security, but they may not want to live with their children and grandchildren and do their babysitting because they may have their own lives, don't get along, or don't have the patience. Their families may not want to live with them, either. Additionally, they may have difficult health issues or their younger family members may have health issues or can't afford to take anyone else on. This is 2022. "Old" is relative. She very well may have something better to do with her life than play bingo.

My adopted aunt chose to go to work on her 80th birthday. (She worked part-time at GNC.) The trouble started when she was 83. She was living with her disabled son and a grandson who was on the spectrum. He lost his job, and they couldn't afford rent on the mobile home they were in. Social agencies are stretched horribly. They ended up living in a shelter for months (she slept on a lounge chair in a church basement!), and while everybody got them a motel room once a week, her health went downhill, even though they've been in a Section 8 apartment for 18 months. The stress took a lot out of her. It's been a struggle to see what has happened to a vibrant, working older person.

The first thing I would do would be to give her the respect and talk to her honestly. I'd suggest you explain that you simply cannot afford to rent the apartment for that amount of money because you're going to need to pay your mortgage and other bills. Ask her how you can help her resolve her housing situation. Maybe you can compromise between your number and her rent (we've made compromises for seniors on a fixed income, as well as military), but maybe not. Depending on her health, ask her about her preferences. Don't expect a family member or a social service agency to rush forward to save her. If she belongs to a place of worship, they might be able to help. I also would suggest that you contact other landlords in your area. Maybe they know of something. Also, ask around to see if there are any older realtors/investors with ideas. 

Roommates can be tricky. They may not get along, and that's more stress, which is particularly hard when folks get older.

I wish you luck. It's a difficult situation to be sure. I don't know much about the Ohio market, but could there be any mobile homes that would work for her?  

Bless you for trying to help. You have a conscience.

Thanks, Colleen.  I would.