All Forum Posts by: Marian Smith

diy install do cheapest decent laminate...at least 7mm, good locking system and ends lock.  I just turned over a house after 10 years with $1 foot home legends from Home Depot and it was in very good shape except a little peaking around kitchen sink.  People lived pretty slovenly, too.  If you are hiring out the install it doesn't make sense to pay high labor to install cheap products, so get a good vinyl plank.  I don't know what the above poster laid but we have been impressed with home depot lifeproof.  We just installed a 5 or 6mm stone core we got for $3 ft from a distributer of Regal hardwoods company and the lock system is exceptional and the floor is gorgeous.  Thicker wear layer than lifeproof too but lifeproof has some lines like boulder canyon? with a 20mm wear layer.  so shop around to save a little.  Solid 3/4 hardwood is not going to give you payback over a cheaper floor as tenants cannot tell the difference and pets can really damage them.  Tenants do seem to prefer hard floors over carpet here. 

If you can separate the two units' for hvac and have separate meters, that would be ideal.  If cost prohibitive, I would operate under the assumption that renters are hard on things and you fare best with just basics.  I would save the 2k and go with Amana as it will be a tad lass aggravating when the filters aren't changed out regularly (ideally write into the rent that you will do this and do it).  You might get more for your buck using that 2k to add attic insulation so the property stays warm/cool and thus save wear and tear on unit.

why do you care if these issues/defects are common or typical whether in KC or on the moon?  Do you want to buy a house with these moisture problem and 1) either fix them or 2) let them continue?.  It is possible the house will deteriorate more slowly than it will take you to earn your equity back out and that renters are used to these issues in rental properties in the area and accept them so you will have no problem getting tenants.  Maybe thats what your realtor is thinking when saying not to explore further.  Water is a buildings worse enemy but the damage is wreaked over time, sometimes a long time.  But the costs to repair go up as the damage becomes more extensive.  Roof leaks in particular because they can cause damage top to bottom.

I protested first year by uploading my closing documents.  I think they adjusted some for a few months appreciation up to Jan 1.  They should give you a new number and you can accept or schedule a hearing.

There is a house with an adu on the mls in highland 78752.  You might check the tcad valuation to see how it is valued and how much property taxes will be for what you plan to build.  Every year your rental rate increases are taxed out of your pockets in the Austin msa, so plan accordingly...might be different if you get a 10% homestead cap on the adu.

sometimes the deed filed ot the county clerks office and searchable online records the mortgage amount and date.  You can google interest rates for that year and use an amortization table to get a ballpark.  There may be more than one mortgage or a refinance but all should e recorded. 

Ten years ago I had a large insurance claim include a 20% fee for a GC.   I would imagine with labor and material costs so high a GC would be getting a cost of living raise today with the same 20% fee.  I agree with @Mitchell Zoll that you paying for materials and subs would create transparency and I don't know why a GC would have a problem with that unless you are slow to pay (or his subs get paid in cash)...but I have never worked with a GC.  The plumbers and electricians I use take zelle, etc and send receipts electronically as I imagine most trades do...unless they are the cash operating type. 

Guy across the street builds houses, nice ones,  and he likes smartside.  Hardie is heavy and brittle and not easy to cut.  Smartside is a wood product and very nice to work with.  If you choose lap you can buy gecko guards or something like that to hold your laps while you nail them in.  Only thing about smartside is if you want board and batten the vertical sheets come in 16' lengths ....pretty sure...so I guess great for a two story.

I want to say I read somewhere about someone being turned down on a front yard adu by a neighborhood advisory board or some such.  Not saying you cannot, just that there may be an additional hurtle vs a backyard adu.

What about a metal security door?  I think alot of people install them on back doors,too for an added layer or deterrent.