All Forum Posts by: Mary lou L.

I just wanted to say rah rah rah! Go for it!

Good luck!!

We saw two people over there today. We went over and struck up a conversation. They were there to clean the house. They told us that the county had called them to clean and the house is  a section 8 house. I didn't know that the county got involved that way.

Would they if it was one of their tenants trashed the place?

I am going to send a letter to the owner that I found on the tax records to get a feel for the situation, I keep telling myself If I do not ask I will never know.

There  is a home that is right down the street,  the last few days we saw heaps of junk in the back, broken front window and it appears to be empty.

Being the nosy neighbor (we don't know the people who lived there..its known as the "tweaker house") and seeing a possible opportunity I drove by a few times to get a closer look.

I went to the court house and looked up the owner (out of town).

I would like to approach this owner and see if there is an opportunity there, I just am trying to figure out how to phrase it.

I came up with " It appears your tenants have moved out, are you interested in renting again or selling?"

or "Hi, we live down the street and noticed your house seems to be empty, did you know that is?"

Of course my concern is that it may be known as the empty house and start attracting a certain element, as we are right outside of town in the country.

I don't want to come across as getting into their business but, as a landlord I would like to know what was going on with my property.

Handscraped Saratoga Hickory 7 mm Thick x 7-2/3 in. Wide x 50-5/8 in. Length Laminate Flooring (24.17 sq. ft. / case)

i was confused about the way the pics on zillow are set up. They keep switching from kitchen to livingroom, and back to kitchen, various rooms and bathroom, room and back to bathroom again. 

I think less pics woiuld be more in this case. 

I'm going in with a total skeptical view. I remember being hemmed in at an Amway event, and having to sit through the whole thing. Back then I questioned, why can't I just open my own physical store and sell this stuff, why do I have to buy it from you the middle man?

I never did get an answer.

I'm sure there will be lots of upsell!

This will be my first seminar about real estate. I've watched their show, and am hoping at least to get a chance to meet and network with others in  my area.

Has anyone attended this seminar? 

My boyfreind and I are going on Saturday, we are supposed to get a free mp3 player, a cd with "50 ways to find your next flip" (I know I've seen at least that many times on BP!!  lol) and an entry to win an Ipad.

I will post back after Saturday.

If the stove is against the wall its hard to maneuver pots around. And if the stove is on the end open with no wall or counter there is the potential for handles to be knocked into. My stove is like that now and I always have to remember to not have anything hanging over the edge.

Recent counter top remodel on my Texas property. It was sorely needed! The backsplash is new as well. It's a raised plastic tile. I've never used this we will see how it holds up!  The wall colors are a grayish color as well but the picture for some reason does not show the true color. Flooring is peel and stick. 

Cabinet on right was added and needs paint. 

There is a lot going on here.

First you really cannot get someone to stay for a year. All you can do is sign a lease, with a designated time frame. month to month, 6 month, yearly ect. Along with that especially with the longer leases you can add a clause that if they break the lease there will be a fee. You have to check your states lease laws to verify how much, and when and how you can assess this.

Second, how are you screening your tenants?

Do you do background checks? Have them fill out prequalifying applications?

Third is where is your property?

Is your property near a college? Commuter area? How is the neighborhood? Have you checked if your rent is too high? or too low? Is there anything that would make a prospective tenant want to move after a while? I know if it were near a baseball field with lights shining in my home during the summer, and I didn't know it when I moved in It may be a factor of me wanting to move. It wouldn't hurt to ask why they are moving.

Of course we would all want seamless turnovers, but its not always possible. The property needs to be cleaned, repairs made if needed.

I don't like showing the property if there are tenants, drive bys only, with the words do not disturb the tenants on any ads. I would think it should not take longer than a week to paint if needed, clean, shampoo carpets, bug spray, landscaping if needed, to turn it around. Longer if there are damages or time to replace carpet or appliances ect.

I also have learned so much! I have some bad habits that I am resolving and treating this more like a business. The biggest thing is ive learned that I am a Landlord first they are the Tenant. I can be friendly and I will go out of my way to help if needed, but I try to keep it professional, I am not their mother, or sister.  It is a fine line and we have to be aware of it.

I hope to hear how it works out and please keep posting!!