All Forum Posts by: Mary White

I found KLACS (Klamath Lake & Community Action Services), but that's all I know about.

Klamath Falls, Oregon

I have a serious question and am not looking for political responses related to Covid-19. I have two tenants in one of my units and one of them is currently on life support with Covid-19. The healthy tenant has reached out for help with relief money for the situation. They are both good people and I want to help find resources related to rental assistance, etc. Does anyone have a list of resources or agencies I can contact to find relief for them? I know I could just do nothing, but I want to help if I can. 

I'm sorry that you're going through this, but I don't understand how being a woman in it alone has anything to do with people taking advantage of you. I run my own rentals, remodels, contractors, etc and have found that learning to be firm and professional is essential. It can be hard at times not to be emotionally involved, but there are ways to work through it. I screen based on the ***-hole factor. If a man treats me as inferior or incompetent, I push back. If he does not change his approach very quickly then he cannot rent from me or do business in any way with me. I have found that other women (Real Estate Agents) can be the hardest to deal with and that mature men will treat me with respect. It does take work but once you have a reliable team of people to do things for you, it gets easier. That being said, if managing your properties feel heavy, there is nothing wrong with finding a different niche (like commercial properties). 

Yes @Jay Hinrichs, I do agree that many landlords can work through the obstacles and that Portland has a serious homeless debacle, but what is changing for me is the belief that these obstacles are worth the hassle. 

I was just in Salem/Keizer and Portland last weekend and my perspective of both has taken a serious hit. Both are filthy, covered with tents and garbage and just plain suffering. I did not go anywhere near Antifa locations and am unable to speak to that, but I have spent many years in Portland, Salem, and Eugene and they're being seriously damaged. 

Why would families want their children around the violence and homelessness? The homeless camps are filthy and infringe upon what used to be beautiful clean neighborhoods. There has got to be a healthier cleaner way for these people to live where my ten year old daughter doesn't have to witness gross physical acts out in plain sight (happened last weekend). Why are the different government entities willing to give property over to be destroyed or squatted on? My mother is afraid to leave her home in Eugene because of Covid, Antifa, and the homeless wandering outside her house. It's tragic! 

On an investment level, these and other factors just make it a far less attractive place to put my money. On a personal level, I'm honestly pissed that one of the most amazing cities in the world is being hurt like it is. 

Interesting that other Oregonians believe these are unintentional moves by government in this state. There is complete intention behind everything they do. Why would the City of Portland elect people that are that stupid? Nah, these are intelligent officials making strategic moves with specific goals in mind. Here in Southern Oregon, I am watching closely and will pull all investments out of the State depending on how things go in the next couple of years. I may also need to move my family, which would be sad as I've been here for 30 years. 

@John Teachout Keep in mind that the "Left" coasts states are huge. Here in rural Oregon, there are no riots or violence, we're heavily Republican and people pay their rent because it's the right thing to do. We can fit multiple States into Oregon alone so the gross generalizations are not only offensive, they're just wrong. I have lost zero dollars to any liberal policies because I rent to good people and treat people well. Now, Portland...well it breaks my heart but the city has always had tons of good people and a small group of legit crazies. I won't go there anymore unless I have no other choice, but then it's seven hours drive from my home anyways. Just watch with the judgements. Things here in Southern Oregon aren't different than last year or ten years ago except for the massive fires that just hit. 

@William Jenkins I'd be very interested to see a poll asking what people hold their "cash" in. I don't consider an LOC to be available cash although I understand people use it that way. I am stock piling actual cash in a savings account. My thoughts recently have been towards dumping my previous primary residence, which I'd intended to keep forever, while I can still do it without capital gains tax. I'll keep my eyes open for amazing deals to pop up and just systematically stockpile while I wait. Who has actual cash and who is counting on banking institutions for their available cash?

I've been back and forth lately trying to decide if I should sell off a couple of mediocre properties to build-up extra cash. The problem is the deals are still out there. With eviction moratoriums, I'm branching into an excellent commercial property in a popular vacation location. I see it as a safe place to park my cash and it has a nice little vacation house on it too. Sellers that want to get out of properties fast will become increasingly ready to make a deal. If the deals are there, why sit on the sidelines? Be careful though, lots of newer investors are paying way too much for properties. 

For starters, I will be completely shocked if Biden gets elected. The democratic party missed the boat and should have found a more competent candidate. That being said, as with any tax changes, I will simply find every single loophole available to keep my reported income as low as possible. Should I need to make a sizable 1031 exchange and the tax environment sucks, I will just hold the property until death and avoid any taxable event prior to that. If I'm unable to avoid taxes, I'll just pay what I need to pay and move on. Also, I won't get into my opinions of people who don't plan for being old and don't take care of their own children because people don't like to hear discussions of personal accountability.