All Forum Posts by: Marian Smith

@Trevor Jaye Do your own research but I remember hearing that it is prorated if you move for a job and the move must be over a certain distance.

@Thomas Sulz What would the condo sell for after rehab? Each choice you make is a risk that you will not recoup the money spent, but there is also a risk that you will leave money on the table if you under improve. Do you have redfin in your area? Look up solds in the complex and look at the sold price and the photos.

If you remove the paneling there may be drywall behind it. I too would choose painted paneling over the drop down ceiling. But that may be common and perfectly acceptable in your market. Also, If you are hiring out most of the work you may be just as well off selling "as is" to someone who routinely flips and can do it cheaply. Save yourself holding costs and hassle/work. idk, but you might get at least one offer and run the numbers.

If you remove paneling to the studs, you might add rock wool sound insulation to walls shared with other units.

@Matt Small If you are indeed separating amicably you can hire one lawyer/cpa to arbitrate or help you see the pros and cons of your choices. I agree, taxes is no reason to stay married if you are determined to get divorced. cut the cord and move on. it is likely in your best interest financially as well as in general, but don't listen to me, get professional advice.

@Andrew S. How old are your skylights? Lifespan is probably 20 years. guess. Might get a different roofer out to bid replacing them and see if he says anything about how they're flashed. Call a roofing, siding, window supply like Abc and see who buys a ot of skylights. you can google images of flashed skylights and see what it should look like.

@Logan Wright If you go with laminate tell the tenant spills must be mopped up immediately and give them felt pads for under furniture and tell them to use them. We have moved to vinyl for rentals and were glad we did when the ac condensate pan overflowed in one property. But laminate can be a great value. We never bought thinner than 7mm. We siliconed the quarterround at the kitchen cabinet bases...yes it even survived in the kitchen with only a bit of peaking in a seam in front of the sink. We still have laminate in 3 and moved to vinyl in the last two. It costs more so may or may not be the best value if styles change and the floor looks dated in 10 years. should last 30.

@Logan Wright I put 79 cent home depot laminate down and rented a house for 10 years. came back pretty dirty but the floors cleaned up very nice. tenants like the clean hard floors over carpet and previous tenants embedded dirt.

Might sign up for your neighborhood's  Facebook page or on the next door site and ask there.  

@James Kandasamy insulate your attic. Austin is really hot and all my rentals are 1980's built and we blew about afoot of loose fiberglass insulation in the attics to save wear and tear on the ac units as well as keep the tenants bills lower. you can really tell the difference. We put solar screens on west windows even with low e glass , and insulate west facing garage doors. keep the heat out and your unit works better.

@Candice Menard Are you in the city limits? Check to see if the city allows unrelated occupants in a property zoned single family. Some limit the number.

@Gregory Koszkul I think it is just a liability limit, like 1m. My policy requires me to carry a higher liability in auto too...probably because someone is more likely to have an auto injury claim than someone getting hurt on your property.