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All Forum Posts by: Lynn B.

Lynn B. has started 3 posts and replied 19 times.

Post: Selling A Rental With Existing Tenants

Lynn B.Posted
  • Homeowner
  • Chester, PA
  • Posts 19
  • Votes 3

Thanks everyone! I just put the house up for sale last week. No inquiries yet. I'm a little impatient. lol

Post: Selling A Rental With Existing Tenants

Lynn B.Posted
  • Homeowner
  • Chester, PA
  • Posts 19
  • Votes 3

A few weeks ago, I was eager to begin the process of renting to an acquaintance who requested to rent my parent's property as it would have been additional income for my parent as well as cover expenses (no mortgage).  The tenant admitted that his credit wasn't good, but I was going to give him a chance anyway. The house is nice, but in a low value area. I changed my mind about renting after receiving a caveat from a property inspector who inspected previous homes rented by this potential tenant, and described him as being "dirty". My problem is that this acquaintance continues to beg to rent the property even AFTER a recent shooting sent a car into the property damaging a railing and step. I still want to sell as I am fearful of having to constantly visit the area. Also, I'm told that we will have to pay a tax if we rent and then decide to sell without living in the home for two years.  The home may take a while to sell, so renting it would pay taxes and keep the home from looking vacant.  This renter is persistent. He's self employed with a business in the area. He's not afraid to live there, he knows the neighbors.  Can you rent out your home and place it up for sale at the same time? Do investors want houses that are already rented out to tenants? 

Post: "We've Only Just Begun"

Lynn B.Posted
  • Homeowner
  • Chester, PA
  • Posts 19
  • Votes 3
Originally posted by @Frankie Woods:

@Lynn B. , welcome to BP!  This is the best place to get educated on everything real estate.  I wish you the best as you figure out this landlording stuff!

 Thanks Frankie!

Post: My First Mistake... I think. Rent Amount Too Low

Lynn B.Posted
  • Homeowner
  • Chester, PA
  • Posts 19
  • Votes 3
Originally posted by @Marcia Maynard:
Originally posted by @Lynn B.:
Originally posted by @Steve Babiak:

@Lynn B. - is this property located in the City of Chester in PA?  That's a rough town IMO ...

If it's a rough area, you might be forced to accept a tenant with flaws if you want to collect rent, because there might not be a large pool of possible tenants that don't come with flaws. 

 Hi Steve,
Yes, it is the city of Chester. Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, you're probably right. Although I'm sure there are some very responsible residents, sadly, the City's reputation does make what you say more probable than not. My soon to be tenant already revealed his "flaws". Because he was upfront about it, we're giving him a chance. 

Whoever you choose to rent to, be sure to get an adequate security deposit to cover your risk. Some people do well with second chances, others will mess with you. Be sure to go into this with eyes wide open. We accept people with an "oops" in the past, but with some clear guidelines. See our "Rental Criteria" and "Tenant Screening Questions" under the BP Resources tab, in the File Place, Other Documents section, to see an example.

 Thanks Marcia!!

Post: "We've Only Just Begun"

Lynn B.Posted
  • Homeowner
  • Chester, PA
  • Posts 19
  • Votes 3
Originally posted by @Dmitriy Fomichenko:

Welcome to BP community @Lynn B.  It is a great place to meet new friends and learn about various aspects of real estate and more. 

Wishing you the best! 

 Thanks Dmitriy!

Post: "We've Only Just Begun"

Lynn B.Posted
  • Homeowner
  • Chester, PA
  • Posts 19
  • Votes 3
Originally posted by @Paul Timmins:

@Lynn B. 

Congrats you might consider hiring a property manager in the beginner and learning firsthand. To find a good one go to IREM.org search for ARM certified property managers. Call 5 ask them what parts of the city they like/dislike and why. Ask them what they see expenses running per category per unit. What do they see them selling for per unit, what is the market occupancy rate. What are the market rents? Ask them if they know anything coming up for sale. Pick one that you like. This is a great way to pick up some good info and possibly a deal.

Paul

 Thanks Paul! I think I'll do this ASAP!

Post: "We've Only Just Begun"

Lynn B.Posted
  • Homeowner
  • Chester, PA
  • Posts 19
  • Votes 3
Originally posted by @Marcia Maynard:
Originally posted by @Lynn B.:
Originally posted by @Jonathan Cope:

@Lynn B. 

Welcome to BP. Lots of people here got their start in a similar manner to yours. 

If you need it, there is a lot of advice to be gathered here. 

Also, consider listening to the free podcast shows available on iTunes. 

They are a nice way to learning from folks with varying experience. 

Try the shows featuring @Brie Schmidt and @Dawn Anastasi to start, if you need landlord starter tips. 

Good luck,

Jonathan

 Thanks Jonathan! I'm probably one out a trillion who does not subscribe to iTunes. I'll do a search to see if I can find them online.

Lynn, Welcome to BP! Glad you are getting active!

I think Jonathan was referring to podcasts right here on Bigger Pockets! Go to the blue bar at the top of the page, then to Learn, then to Podcast, there are many podcasts to choose from! Check out these podcasts that focus on some aspects of landlording: #8 Al Williamson, #26 Chris Clothier, #29 Dawn Anastasi, #35 Paula Pant, #36 Kevin Park, #48 Darren Sager, #51 Mike Sherwood, #62 Phil Dwyer, #78 Brie Schmidt, #79 Michele and Bruce Fischer, #80 Jonna Weber, #83 Marcia Maynard (that's me!), #88 Matt & Liz Faircloth, and #90 Newbies!

Also, there are many other resources available to you on Bigger Pockets, such as documents that BPers are sharing. Go to the blue bar, then to Resources, then to File Place.  Download what interests you. Under the Other Documents category, I share our Rental Criteria and Tenant Screening Questions, which may help you in starting out. Modify them to meet your needs. Good luck!

 Thanks SOOOOOO much Marcia!!

Post: "We've Only Just Begun"

Lynn B.Posted
  • Homeowner
  • Chester, PA
  • Posts 19
  • Votes 3
Originally posted by @Lynn B.:
Originally posted by @Brandon Turner:

Hey @Lynn B. thanks for introducing yourself! It's great to have you here! Don't miss The BiggerPockets Podcast - they are great for learning how others are finding success.

Also - here's a couple articles you might enjoy:

The 21 Best Real Estate Investing Books Ever

How to Rent Your House: The Definitive Step by Step Guide

How to Be a Landlord: Ten Tips for Success

Oh - and be sure to set up some Keyword Alerts- especially for "Chester" so you'll be notified when people mention it here in the forums.

Thanks again for introducing yourself!

 Thanks for the resources Brandon! Just what I need! Also, thanks for enlightening me about the "Keyword Alerts". I was wondering why it was there.

Post: "We've Only Just Begun"

Lynn B.Posted
  • Homeowner
  • Chester, PA
  • Posts 19
  • Votes 3
Originally posted by @Brandon Turner:

Hey @Lynn B. thanks for introducing yourself! It's great to have you here! Don't miss The BiggerPockets Podcast - they are great for learning how others are finding success.

Also - here's a couple articles you might enjoy:

The 21 Best Real Estate Investing Books Ever

How to Rent Your House: The Definitive Step by Step Guide

How to Be a Landlord: Ten Tips for Success

Oh - and be sure to set up some Keyword Alerts- especially for "Chester" so you'll be notified when people mention it here in the forums.

Thanks again for introducing yourself!

 Thanks for those resources Brandon! Just what I need! Also, thanks for enlightening me about the "Keyword Alerts". I was wondering why it was there.