All Forum Posts by: Steve McGovern

It's 2 inch oak – that's pretty common. Someone near you has it in stock. Whether it's somebody like lumber liquidators (yeah I know ...say what you will about the recent stuff but when your chips are down they're always there and they'll meet your budget) or contact another local dealer. Hardwoods are always worth the money – at least in this market. Find it. Leave the bedroom alone.

NOT Advisable.  When the paste finally breaks down, off comes your paper along with the skimcoat and paint.  Do it right by using a scoring tool, then strip the paper (chemically is easiest, depending on your sensitivities) and make sure that you neutralize the stripper according to the directions on the chemical.  Do yourself a favor-- neutralize twice.  

Good luck! 

Hi John-- I work in the Commercial arena in Mass, and a number of colleagues have tapped me for info on this. I'd be over stating to call myself an 'expert' in this field...but who is?  I tend to rely on the known factors of other reasonably useful U&O, and I would advise you to do the same.  Be conservative, if only to protect your license and reputation.  

Care to chat, I'm game, of course.  I'm always happy to chat with other professionals.  

Slainte from Boston.

Steve

I hate to be so coarse here, but it really depends on the market.  Look around.  What do most of the other properties in your neighborhood have?  Maybe it's chain link (city; Pools), maybe it's barbed wire (rural & ranches).  Maybe, if you're up for a real improvement, it's a stone wall, which is blessedly common in my area.    Read the market.  

"Good fences make good neighbors."  

                 -Robert Frost 

                "Mending Wall" 

Vy, the tenant is seeking what's known as a reasonable accommodation. A professional-- Doctor or Psych or even a Social Worker... other mental health/health professional should sign a letter stating that the disability is real-- look for some form of "Certification of need of Reasonable Accommodation."  Call a Social Worker that professional should be able to direct you to the right info.  

Keep in mind that assuming the need is real, you MUST accommodate under Mass. Law.    

I just asked my business partner, an Attorney and Project Manager for a national, residential property management company...   this is in Massachusetts, which is notoriously Tenant-Friendly, and she says that if you backed out on the rental, then it's perfectly reasonable for the LL to retain your deposit.  

Not sure this is going to help you.  The quick answer is because... "it's cheaper now!"   Of course, it's clear to me that you already see the fact that if it goes up, you're in a different financial situation than you would otherwise be in. 

Here are my (more valuable, I hope) comments:

In real estate,  DEBT IS GOOD!  Some leverage allows you to spend more to buy more (which you've stated is your goal.). 

I don't know the answer to this, but it's worth looking into-- is the rule "no more than 4 properties or else you get worse terms"-- or is it "no more than 4 LOANS or else you get worse terms"?  

If the latter, then you can cross collateralize.  While rates are low, take two or three of your properties and package them into one loan, thus giving yourself other options. 

Anyone know the answer?  

Happy to assist, James.  One of my old Co's was in NJ, so I still have good resources there.   Let me know if you're seeking any assistance, locally.  

James, the individual is a Title Abstractor or title examiner. This person is CERTAINLY NOT a real estate agent or broker. (Well, 99 times out of 100. ) It could be an attorney, but more likely that you need an attorney to find an Abstractor...only because they know who these people are. To avoid going through Counsel or a (proper) title company: --Look for resources/professionals available through the NJLTA. --Try a website called "source of title" --Try a website called "Abstractor watchdog ". If you need additional info, PM me. Best, Steve

Hi James – this is going to depend on your need for the title review and the jurisdiction. Depending on exactly where the property is, the relative technical savvy- level of the area, and what the jurisdiction wants to put out on the Internet. For example, Registry of Deeds records are available in the counties on-line statewide in Massachusetts. In Rhode Island and Vermont, however, deeds are recorded in the towns and each town may or may not have its records online. The big thing I can tell you however, is that the farther you get away from actual county/jurisdictional records the worse those records necessarily are. Do not, I repeat do not, rely upon third party websites to determine whether or not your property has a title issue. The only exception to this would be is if you were searching in a title plant's own records in a state where title plants are constantly used. Either travel to the county and do the research yourself or hire a reasonably local abstractor or title company to help you out. Above all stay away from outsourced off shore title companies and or third-party "business research oriented" websites. Finally keep in mind that you and your successors may not be able to legally rely upon any work that you do online. Many states require certain searches to be done by certain types of professionals. For example, attorneys must certify title in states such as North Carolina, South Carolina, and Louisiana among others. They may be willing to certify title from the professionals that they already know and trust, but probably not from a simple investor without the requisite background. In past lives, I have been a large-firm real estate paralegal and I was also the manager of real estate analysis for a title and zoning research firm that did work nationwide on infrastructure projects. I have literally reviewed, analyzed and negotiated title work in every state. If you have further questions that I can help you with or if I can direct you to a local pro, I'm happy to do my best and reply.