All Forum Posts by: Leslie Ann Carabuena

The inspector only said that we needed one... This is my first working with him. He came highly recommended from an investor friend but he was wrong about other stuff on the report (electrical wiring). 

As much as possible we would like to install a ceiling hood roof. Our major dilemma is the angle of the roof and lack of ceiling space for something that protrudes inward to the stove.. We would need something relatively flat like this:

which would most likely have to exhaust out the roof. From something like this:

Has anyone ever had any experience with anything like this? How difficult do you think this is to achieve? What are your thoughts/suggestions?

Passaic, NJ. yes it is pretty common here according to my agent. However I was hoping to pass the costs to tenants by doing so...

I'd rather not do RUBS because I read that it can lead to a lot of disagreements among tenants...

I'm currently in contract for a triplex. Its newly renovated and has been on the market since December. The previous buyer did not push through because he lost his job during covid. When we made our offer at less than asking price, seller counter offered and we met in the middle at a little under asking price. There were also supposedly other offers but the seller supposedly liked us because we have very stable jobs in the Healthcare industry.

After inspection we are planning on asking for credits to

1. separate the water and gas for 2 of the units (listing said it was separate but its not) $7k for water, ?? For gas (pending estimate)

2. fix some minor electrical and venting issues $800

3. fix the garage floor which they covered with wood and is not up to code. Will probably need to level the floor. $2k

4. There is a retaining wall that inspector says is going to fall in the next 10-20 years and is held up by long metal tubes that looks like its rusted. To get this fixed its about 30k. --- Can we ask for credit for this or is it going to scare off/ anger the seller??

FYI this is my first deal and we will be living in one unit and extended family will be living in the 2nd unit (paying rent). 

Just looked at the county codes and looks like its not required (whew). 

I also found that a 7.5 cu ft refrigerator should fit in the corner.

I was advised not cutting into the roof (I was thinking of adding a skylight right above the stove) because of possible leaks. Tenant can also leave it open on accident while its raining as well. 

I don't think I want to cut a dormer if its not against code so I think I'll just leave it and make tenants get renters insurance.

Thank you! 

I'm in contract for a triplex in NJ that is beautifully renovated but does not have separate water or gas for 2 of the apartments. NJ water is expensive and is about 750 per quarter for a 2 family so it will probably be about 1k per quarter for a triplex. To separate the water, I got a quote for 7k. It would mean breaking up the newly renovated bathrooms and possibly replacing any cracked tiles with tiles that may not exactly match. Is this worth it? If I do this I may also just add washer dryer hookups to each apartment as well which might be another 1.5k-2k for each apartment. 

also does anyone have any idea if I can put separate meters on a new zoned furnace? Two of the apartments share a zoned gas powered furnace. Is it worth trying to separate them?

Hello, we have an attic apartment with the current set up. Inspector say we need to add a range hood over the stove. Any suggestions how? Note: sink is the to the left of the stoves current location.  The stove is electric. Here are some options we have considered:

1. Cut a dormer above the kitchen area ($$$ expensive)

2. Move the stove to where the window is and move window higher (expensive as well)

3. A retractable side vent beside the stove (not very effective) 

4. we also need space for a refrigerator. 

Please do. Thank you.

Thanks @John Bucci. I am wondering about the commute. Google says its 1.5 hours to midtown if you take the metro north but when talking to locals they say they can get to grand central in 40 minutes if you ride express and that it comes every 15 min or so. Which one is correct? How long would it really take to get to Harlem 125th station come from Tarrytown? How often does the express really come? HOw come google estimates it a lot longer?

Re the VA loan, I think they removed the limit. We were able to qualify pretty easily with several lenders.

We are already preapproved. The 40k comes from one of the lenders saying closing costs are about 4% of property values. Does that sound right? I'm pretty sure that we would not have positive cashflow if I were to do an analysis without the unit we would occupy. But I was hoping to have positive cash flow when it was fully rented. Is this even possible?