All Forum Posts by: Mags S.

@Suduk N.  typically if they are painted (excl pro furniture type), you just repaint them if nec. Prep work is key and using the appropriate type paint.  If using appropriate paint it should hold up and just be wiped clean. 

IKEA shaker cabs are RTA and they wipe clean.  They offer very good quality where it matters such as drawer rails (Blum) etc., easy to assemble, and easy to hang. There are different price points for the fronts.  I think the white shaker ones are about middle or slightly higher. They have nominal upgrade options.  During my ownership, I like just being able to return a damaged piece and get a replacement.  (Swelled sink cabinet door). Maintenance/replacement costs reduced.  YMMV.  You can logon to their online kitchen design software from their site. Draw ur own and it calculates the cost.    I caught a 'special' where they rebate you the cost of using their human 'design service' that comes to property and draws out an IKEA plan with measurements.  You take to store and order.  I didn't encounter any out-of-stock items, but I got them shortly after their new cabinet line was offered earlier this year.  They also sell the popular granite, Quartz and anything a one-stop shop place would have. I didn't want an IKEA kitchen so I just used their cabinets. Pulls/knobs from big box stores.

Sorry, I don't know anything about the stain yourself ones @ HD. It's a time consuming process to do properly.

@Account Closed, not a big deal...I'd trade my kitchen knowledge for REI knowledge in a heartbeat!

@Eric La Pratt - IKEA cabinets will meet all 3 of your stated needs.  A 25 yr warranty with free replacement. (Receipt required).

@Account Closed - those named wow features are wow factors.  Couldn't agree more.

Here is my rendition - IKEA shake-style rental kitchen with the wow factors.  Everything besides the cabinets were purchased at the big box stores.

with only a handful of showings and no follow up applications, I suspect the price is too high for what it offers. Offering an incentive may help

@Leland S.  what's the arv on this property?  Perhaps before going full steam ahead in your rehab you may want to look at the interiors of properties in the area, as has been suggested. Same sold price range as your arv.  If you go too cheap, you will surely regret it, as you will not get the arv you're expecting and more likely to languish on the market.  

No matter the size of a property, flooring is an extremely large expanse in a property.  Tile flooring in the bathrooms is pretty much standard in my area.  The walls may not be tiled which reduces reno costs. Again, it depends on arv and what works in your area.

@Sarah D.  I did an IKEA kitchen in a rental.  Still on year 1 so sorry I can't give input regarding longevity.  However, the big plus for me was the 25 year warranty with the ability to take damaged doors/drawers, for 'free, no questions asked' replacements.  They introduced the new line this year. (They had the previous cabinetry line for 25 yrs).  Off-white shaker style known as being timeless, as the chances are good I won't be updating this kitchen again in my lifetime. 

Installed properly, they show nicely.

@Joseph L. - very nice job.  Congrats!

@Kelly McMillan - I wouldn't offer any kind of pet discount, but that's me. I would be offering a place for the human and their dog to live.  I would just set my rules for accepting dogs, including a blurb -  all dogs, no matter which breed, must obtain their AKC CGC designation within X timeframe.  Make it part of the lease, so if tenant doesn't take care of their end, you will have some recourse.  Read up on the evaluation.  Give the AKC a call if you have any questions; they are easy to work with. I don't remember if they give you any paperwork when successful evaluation; I just remember the metal disc that goes on the dog collar.  You will prolly get a lot of questions from pet owners since many are not familiar with the program

In today's environment, just accepting dogs is a big plus, so I don't think you need to offer a discount. As you know, ppl love their pets as much or more than their human children. You wouldn't offer a discount if the tenant had kids, would you?

I am happy that you are looking in that direction.  Knowing that large dogs and pits are unjustly crucified, I now suggest to those dog owners that they get their dog certified thru the AKC's Cannine good citizen (CGC).  Many dog owners (including myself) are not aware of this certification.  I found out about it when I started showing my dog and spending time at the AKC site.  Evaluation all done on leash.  It's a hands on evaluation that includes leaving your dog with the evaluator while you leave the room. (My dog 'stared down' the door waiting for me to return.  Evaluator said my dog never took her eyes off the door).  Consider it a prelude to becoming a certified therapy dog since therapy evaluation is only a few more steps/tests than the CGC evaluation.

This certification prolly won't dispell the stereotyped discrimination, but at least will show that this particular dog is okay.  I did my dog's evaluation thru a local dog training club. Again, most dog owners don't know this certification exists.

I think if you look closely at unbiased reports with statistics, you will find that the biters are not pits or large breeds.  The two biggest breed biters are ankle-sized dogs.