All Forum Posts by: Mark Smith

I guess the subject explains itself!  Does anyone use a CPA in capital region of New York that they have been really happy with?  Thank you!

Hello all,

I'm finally headed to my first investors' meeting after a year of learning and purchasing my first property this past June.  Any advice?  The meetings seem to have a pretty structured agenda.  I figure this will be a great networking opportunity for me, but for those of you experienced with these kinds of events I wanted to know if there is anything I should look for or try to accomplish.  Thank you!

Thank you J Beard . This is a lease I had taken over from the previous owner as I purchased the property in June. She did sign a revised lease with me, however the 25% rent increase wasn't something we thought to change. I don't disagree with your point that we rent units, not beds. At this point I just have to have a way of knowing if he is living here so I can take the appropriate steps.

We're pretty certain my first floor tenant has taken an additional occupant since signing her lease (about 4-5 months after the lease began). The lease states there would be three occupants, and this would be he fourth. It also states that there is an exception for visitors up to 14 days, which would mean anything longer than 14 days would be considered an occupant. This would mean a 25% rent increase. Is there a way for me to prove that he is living there? We have been working on the upstairs apartment and he is there in the morning when we get there and at night when we leave.

This is amazing.  I just bought my first two family in June and have been renovating the second floor.  Found a tenant for it and it will be filled on 9/15.  I hope to be at your level one day!

I'm taking the lease that the first floor tenant signed with the person that sold the property to me, and modifying it for the second floor tenant.  Nothing crazy, just that they will maintain the lawn, get half of the garage, and maybe a couple other items.

@Penny Clark I know!  I keep telling myself that!  This is the first tenant I have found on my own (I purchased a two family in June, one floor was already rented, and have been fixing up the second floor until now).  I'm just getting used to the process :)  

@Pam Storm that is some great information.  I ended up using Transunion SmartMove which worked out well.  Of course the potential tenant still had to create an account and provide some information, but it seemed pretty easy and it worked out.  I guess I was nervous that the applicant would feel like they were jumping through hoops just to apply, but again it didn't seem like much of a process.  Thank you for your input!

Does anyone use a screening service that does not require the tenant's input?  I have the tenant's information, including social security number.  I do not need a service that requires them to register and complete an application, I just need to run background/credit checks.  Thank you!

@Robert P. those are all great thoughts and those are the kinds of ideas I am looking for.  I definitely want to make new tenants feel welcome, I think this is a great way to do it.