All Forum Posts by: Account Closed

Jerry, the first time I used those signs I had purchased a 15 unit building that was mostly vacant. The vacant units and common areas were filled with needles, crack pipes, used condoms, human waste, etc. The previous property manager told me he had been trying to clean it up for 3 years and that I would never be able to do it. I got it cleaned up in less than 2 weeks and those signs were 90% of the reason. The bad guys would take them down and the next day they would be put back up. They know that someone will call on them in a moment to collect the reward so why not go to an easier target? If they think that people are watching the property they will be less likely to target it. I have heard of a company that rents out pit bulls to put in the house at night... but I don't think I'd go that route! Good luck!

My reply is a little off topic but it is still relevant to the conversation. One way to keep the bad guys out of your property is to put signs in every window that say-

$500 REWARD
Reward for information leading to the arrest of the person that broke into this house. Just call 911 and then call xxx-xxx-xxxx. When the person is arrested I will pay you $500 cash on the spot.

This method has worked wonders for me!

Best of everything.

Mark

I just wrote a plst of how I solved this problem. It works great for myself and my friends that do this... http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/2918/blog_posts/22360-the-problem-with-all-of-these-keys

If you want to go over it then go to Home Depot and check out the Allure Flooring. It is similar to laminate because it comes in rectangular panels and the pieces stick together with overlapping sides that have a stick strip on them. They are better than laminate because they are make out of a rubber type material. They are also very easy to install- all you need is a razor blade to cut it. I think it has a 20 year warranty. DO NOT glue any tile over it or do anything to damage it like putting down tack strips for the carpet. You may decide to go back to the VCT in the future...

Mark

Hi Al,

Please take your time and don't jump in to anything. Get settled in where you are going first. Good property managers are rare in this business. If you are trying to do it from a distance it will be even more difficult. Try to find people that are already successful in this business to help you through the process. When you get a call from a guy in another state telling you what a great deal he has the first question I would have is- if it is such a great deal then why do you have to go so far to find a buyer. Where I live, in Baltimore, the joke was that if you couln't sell a house then raise the price and advertise in New York and DC. So, use extreme caution investing in an area that you don't know well...

Mark

It isn't just about money you may make with a few dollars of additonal rent. It's also about the safety of your maintance people as well as other tenants, neighbors, etc. This article from my local paper that was published today ought to give you something to think about.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/breaking/bs-md-pit-bull-ruling-20120427,0,4499019.story

I have had the same issue with my rentals. I now have a NO DOG policy. They will bring a pit or pit mix and claim it is something else. My lease says they aren't allowed on the property even as "guests." The tenant will claim it isn't their's and they are just "dog sitting." It may take you longer to get a tenant but it is worth the wait. If you ever have an emergency like a plumbing emergency and the tenant isn't home you may have a problem getting a plumber to go in the house. It isn't worth the hassle.