And I do want to clarify that the units we were able to view were kept clean and tidy. I probably should not have tossed a D suggestion in there, but the rooster walked right up to my very boot-tips in the driveway, puffed up, and crowed, which means it is a fighting rooster, and the unit we were not able to view had multiple pit bulls inside. I drew the conclusion that if the tenant is fighting the rooster, he is likely also fighting the dogs. I could be way off on my assumptions.
Since I'm showing all my cards anyway....other observations: the back porch is falling off and will need to be rebuilt. There is a toilet in the front yard and the whole front yard smells like cat piss, car parts are stacked on the side of the house (the dump won't accept car parts,) the roof is in decent shape but kinda weird because they used two different kinds of materials, and one is supposed to be for totally flat roofs even though the section it's on is slightly pitched. It needs gutters, new windows....the whole 9 yards, so to speak. No telling what an inspector might dig up, and there's a water trail down the siding so checking for termites is a priority.
The location is great because it is near a bike trail and a commuter metro stop. It's also the worst-looking house on the block, so fixing it up will improve the impression of that whole section of the neighborhood. The house next door looks pretty rough, too, though.
The unit on top of the garage is in comfortably livable condition now.
Good luck in your endeavors. I'll probably see you at one of the meets around town. Happy Holidays!
Liz
