All Forum Posts by: Marek Berry

Hey @Adan Santana a little late but I'm just starting to look upstate and research options. Are you looking to flip up there too?

@Carini Rochester, @Evan Polaski and @Henry Clark thank you for the feedback. 

I'm taking this as a learning experience and grateful it's not a big-ticket event. But good to hear that it would not be unreasonable for me to negotiate on the fee if I chose to do so. He gave me a good deal so I'll let it pass this time, but probably not again in the future. But I need to take care of my end of the deal by having more clear communication as well.

I'm an out-of-state owner of a SFH in Austin, TX that is on the market to sell. Two weeks ago I had to repair the foundation and had to pull up all the laminate flooring. I was in town for the foundation work (a nightmare) and met with a flooring installer who speaks very little English. As part of the re-installation he said he'd need to level parts of the floor with concrete and I said that was fine. I left town and he completed the work.

Turns out he floated the entire home at a cost of $750, which I was not anticipating not did he communicate before hand. I didn't ask him to do the entire home, nor do I think it was necessary (but I'm open to being wrong). As mentioned there is a big language barrier, but from my perspective I was lead to believe it would only be a few bags. It might not be much $ to some of you and could actually be a great deal, but right now every penny counts for me and it's a lot when you're not anticipating it. 

I'm curious how you more experienced BP members would handle this situation? It's probably not enough money to worry about, but it's still something I'd like outside perspective on.

Thanks!

@Corby Goade thanks for this.

I ended up telling my tenant that I had solved the problem of contractor access as agreed upon in the lease—we'd set up a lockbox and the contractors can let themselves in if he was unable to be home. Of course he doesn't want strangers in the house without him there so he quickly changed his tune and made himself available. I framed it as a solution to our problem and not as an ultimatum and it seemed to work.

@Jim Cummings Appreciate the advice. 

@Joe Funari Good perspective, but tenant is indeed moving out September 30 and I'm hoping to have the house on the market mid-October at the latest. 

@Scott M. @Jim Cummings Thanks for the input. You guys agree I can require access even when I'm not there to let contractor in? My concern is that if the tenant isn't home I'll have to ask him to hide a key for the contractors since I'm out of state. That might be too much to ask (unless I'm legally allowed to do so).

@Jim Cummings waiting for the tenant to vacate would be the easiest solution but will also cost me money in lost time. This tenant won't be vindictive or destroy property so I'm not worried about that, he's just being difficult. I'll probably have to weigh the frustration of dealing with him vs. losing a little money...

Hi BP Family, I've just given notice to my tenant that I'm selling my SFH in Austin, TX. In an effort to have the home quickly ready to put on the market a few repairs need to be made to the home. It's becoming clear that my tenant is going to be difficult and mostly unavailable to provide contractors access to the home to give estimates and make repairs. For example, this evening he canceled an existing appointment with a tile guy 30 minutes before he was to arrive.

I've researched and can't find a clear answer—is my tenant obligated to provide access to the contractors? If he's not home can I insist that the workers have access to the house? The signed lease does include this item, which I'm hoping allow me to insist entry even if he is not on premises. However, I live out of state so won't be able to be there to let them in.

"ENTRY: Lessee agrees to allow the Lessor to inspect the premises and to show it to prospective Lessees, prospective purchasers, mortgagees, and contractors at any reasonable times."

Am I correct in thinking that section of the lease gives me the right, even if I'm not present? Thanks for any and all advice!

@John Litzenberger I'm late to the thread, but about 10 months ago I transferred ownership of my SFH to an LLC with the help of an attorney.

I was concerned about my insurance being in the correct name so called to switch it over. After much back and forth I was told it couldn't be done, but the next time I received my insurance paperwork the LLC was added as an 'additional interest.' Haven't heard anything from the bank, but I imagine they just want their money even if they somehow became aware of the change.

Wondering what you ended up deciding to do?

@Neil Narayan @Danny Webber

Hey guys, thought I'd follow up on this post. I took your advice Danny and hired a structural engineer who reported that the foundation was failing. This report seemed to motivate the foundation company enough to come out and make repairs, which happened last week. Thank you both for your advice.

Great, thanks @Mary Cronin.