All Forum Posts by: Lauren Kormylo

Don’t forget to factor in costs for water, sewage, and electrical connections for the Airstream. 

I would not tear down a garage to put in an Airstream that goes down in value like any RV. I would convert the garage to an Airbnb.  

Ashlee, house hacking is when you live in a property and rent out part of it to someone else. Most usually this is done with a duplex or 4 plex.  So I think you have confused people with that term. 

I've painted plenty in my own homes over the years.  It is time consuming, for sure.  I think it will take you at least a week or more to paint a house of that size.  And landlords cannot deduct the value of their own labor, where a pro painter's cost will be.

I like these paragraphs much better.  Says everything you need to say without insults.  

I pay a landscaper to come once a month and take care of the yard, and build that into the rent.  I also had an irrigation system put in when I first bought the house, on a timer, so the tenants don’t have to remember to water the plants and trees  Renters will never take care of the yard well on their own. 

I have a friend who is a manager for Eco Mama Green Clean, and they get great reviews.  I asked her last week if they did Airbnb cleaning, and she said they do have some accounts.  Give them a call.  My friend's name is Sara Colombo, you may be talking to her.

https://ecomamagreenclean.com/

Best Buy has 65" TVs from $400.  There's a Samsung one right now for sale for $550.  They are extremely cheap.  I have to laugh when I see a rental boast about having a 45" TV.
 

I call the utility and tell them a shutoff date (first day of the tenants' occupancy), and to expect my tenants to also call and start service then.  The utilities do it as separate accounts, so I don't think doing it all in the same phone call is necessary of convenient.  

I had a landlord once who insisted on picking up the rent every month, and it did make me feel like he didn't trust me. 
I only have one rental, and all of my tenants have preferred to pay by check.  Because I live close by, I installed a locked dropbox near my side door, where they can drop off their check.