All Forum Posts by: Lois Ginter

I would try my best to get the seller to repay any security deposit and do an inspection,  this can be done as an addendum at closing. If you can still move closing, do that the day after the tenant leaves.  You have no idea what condition things were in at move in, and because you can't prove condition you might have to pony up a full deposit.   I would not rely on being told something was "new".    

My point is an isolated incident isn't going to sway the market. In Rockford, every part of the city has experienced robberies and shootings, not just the low income areas. For a city of 150K there is at least two robberies daily, and reports of drive-by shootings every other day. I had two drive-bys in one week near me this month. We are also experiencing high growth in housing prices and have a low SFH inventory. Residents of Rockford have been putting up with crime for a long time, for a number of reasons, and 2016 was off the charts.

 I Incorporate this statement into the rental application.  Rental application has employment and rental history.  I make those calls first, and it weeds a lot of people out even before I get to credit and background checks. 

I worked in HR and Payroll many years.  Some employers will direct you to The Work Number.  You will need to pay to use that service.  When that happens, I track down the company HR number, explain what I am doing and that I want to confirm this information that the applicant gave me:  Hire date, job title, pay rate, and termination date.  I ask the same thing when I can contact the HR department directly.   I have had more than a few applicants lie about their hire date to make it look like they a good job history.  I also ask people to bring their last pay stub to the showing.  If the year to date amounts don't add up to the employment history, that is another tell. 

Sid BREATH.  I entered the C class market a year ago northwest of you.  I am small, but can expect appreciation and good cash flow.   Cook County is its own bubble.  

BTW the crime in my city is worst per capita than Chicago. 

I would still have them investigate a hospice that might provide home care.  They might be missing work due to care requirements.   

My MIL hung on for a year after she was told the end was near.  She and my elderly FIL relied on home hospice during that time, and it was a blessing.  Granted they had the means to pay, but some hospice agencies have sliding fees.  Hopefully if they reach out to United Way, they can connect them with a home hospice that can help. 

I was going to suggest a trail camera as well.  Just be sure to mount it where it isn't conspicuous.  

Agree with steering them towards aid from public agencies.  Is there a hospice in the area where the daughter can stay?  That might take some of the care or financial burden off the family if the hospice has a sliding fee, and in the event you do go forward with eviction, you know that she is in a good place.  

Besides the the public agencies, have you or the tenant contacted the local United Way chapter?  Many times they will be dialed into small non-profits that can help in various ways.  

 I do the same thing.  And I respond timely and cheerfully.  I had the same thing happen with a tenant requesting Drano.  I was like, be right there with my snake.  Ended up needing a plumber, and I discovered that the bathroom sink faucet needed replacing.  I cleaned up the plumbers' mess, and my tenant got a new faucet.  Way cheaper and easier than fixing drywall.  I don't charge my tenants for this stuff, because it is normal usage, and I don't want them to fix things themselves.

I would write a cover letter and create a Tenant Information Form , then ask all adult tenants myself for the information.  I do that when I sign the lease.  I get their phone number, work number, vehicle description, and emergency contact.  I would just say that you want to make sure you have the most current information due to the switch in management companies.