All Forum Posts by: Ling S.

I want to learn the process. I will hire pm later. Is there any othe way to advertise besides craigslist?

I feel disappointed that I didn't rent out for the October 1st and have to continue the process of finding a tenant. Thanks brian for your encouragement. Thanks Marc for pointing out the age of children on my first post. The house is in a pretty nice area. I don't know how to classify the area like some people did A, B or C. The applicant #1 decided to take another house before I made my decision, but didn't inform me till after my post. Applicant #2 is a NO because other issues I found out later. I am very glad I did a thorough check on them.

Thank you all for your feedback! I decided to wait.
The illegals: I asked them all sort of questions before they told me one of them is illegals.
I have just checked out the bankruptcy people - very glad I did it. No to them.

I am renting my newly purchased sfh and really need your advise on picking the tenant. Both is ready to move in this Saturday oct 1.
Applicant #1: the couple with 2 kids and a dog. Combined income is 2x monthly rent. Great references. Seems really nice people. However, one of them is illegal immigrant. They are going to commute over 1 hour to work after moving in. So i am afraid that they may only stay for 1 year and move back.
Applicant #2: high income. Both working, 3 years, 10 years at the job. Couple with 2 older kids. One filled chapter 13 bankruptcy 2 years ago because of 2 years unemployment. The Other filled bankruptcy 1 year ago helping out the spouse. They rent the same apartment for last 7 years. Likely will be long term tenant.

Or maybe wait for one more month to find better tenant.

Please help me make a decision.

Hi Jim,
Thanks for your reply! How do your tenants deposit the money to this 2nd account? Do you physically go to the teller with your name and account number?

I only hav two rentals now. One tenant has been sending me the rent checks to my mail box on time via his bank's auto payment (the bank will issues a check monthly). I would like the check deposit to my account directly rather me going to the ATM to deposit the check every month. My bank told me that my tenant could do auto pay by mailing the check to the branch I went, payable to me with my account number. The check tenant issued has left the their bank account, but not deposited to mine. Have you tried this method to collect your rent? Some people on the forum here mentioned: their tenants do direct deposit, how do you do that? Is there any other way I can automate the process. Now I am trying to rent the 2nd house out, there will be a new check each month to deposit. Advise on how to do auto rent payment please!!!!

Thank you so much to all! It is pretty easy decision now, remove it. I may also list to sell sepeperately or together on craigslist.

Thank you, Jon, dick for your feedback. I didn't know it is so much work to maintain it. One family have seen the house and asked me to keep the hot tub. What if I sell the tub and furnitures to them really cheap? That means they need to remove it when they leave. But what if they don't maintain it well and leave it behind? Then I would have pay somebody to remove and discard it. At least now I can sell it while it is in good condition.

I finally purchase a single family home with a hot tub in the yard. Thanks everyone who gave me the advises for my first post! The hot tub is in the good condition. I may need a few hundreds to fix the electrical since it is not up to code. I am thinking of removing it so I don't take the responsibility to maintain it and the liability of the safety issue. But some people told me a lot of renters love the hot tub. What is your opinion?

I am looking into buying a 4plex as my first investment property. Is it a good idea or should I buy a single family house to start with? In order to have a positive cash flow, only half hour drive distance and a safe neighborhood, i need to consider multi family houses (duplex or fourplex). If I am willing to drive 1.5 hours, I can buy a single family house that will cash flow and be much cheaper. However, the vacancy rate is higher and future appreciation rate will be lower.