All Forum Posts by: Lindsey Vargas

@Christian Cummings

We just redid the countertops in our duplex using Home Depot’s in stock laminate. It was 30LF for $600 and we installed them ourselves. It’s a u shaped kitchen so that made it more expensive but I found it to be a pretty good deal.

If the countertops are in good condition but just ugly I would look into covering them in epoxy.

@Kevin Andre

Yes, it did count as income toward our mortgage bc there were already tenants in place on one side so we used their lease to help qualify. I would definitely recommend multi family, even if you have to invest with someone else. You’re unlikely to have vacancies on both sides at the same time, so you should be able to cover half the mortgage no matter what.

And I meant to say in my last post that the property had to be my primary residence for one year. After that you’re free to rent.

@Kevin Andre

With my FHA loan, I had to to make the property my primary residence before I could rent it. I bought a duplex so was able to rent out one side and live in the other.

@Scott Trench

I really appreciate you taking your time to give me such a well thought out and detailed answer. I do think making an exception for these tenants makes sense this time.

@Michael Smith

Thank you! I think my policy will just be to have the right to raise the rent by 25% at renewal and raise accordingly.

@Joe Splitrock

Thanks, I like that better - raising the rent and not mentioning it has to do with the dogs.

Sorry, I was super rushed and shouldn't have sent it in yet but I fixed it. Yes, there are 2 pets. Also, we are house hacking this property so we live next door and the dogs haven't caused any damage at all. They take amazing care of our property and have made many improvements as well. They've added a privacy fence and sod to the backyard. I'm leaning toward not charging more for the dogs but I don't want to make a rookie mistake and short myself. 

What do you charge for pets at the renewal of their lease?

I inherited dream tenants and it is time to renew their lease. On their original lease, it states they will be charged $200 pet fee for EACH pet at the renewal of the lease. (They have 2 dogs) Does this seem steep? I know it's an opportunity to make an extra $400 but I see this being a huge problem to our tenants. 

I am most likely moving to this area in February.