All Forum Posts by: Michael Zack

@Huong Luu

The cost to soundproof was too high and we had already put a lot of money into the house. We sold the house last spring while the market was still hot and made a small profit. Definitely something I will look into before buying another multi family property!

@Leah Stuever I'm selling about 20 minutes south of Boston

I'm looking to sell my duplex within the next month and was just wondering what the best way is to go about finding a great agent to sell my house. Any suggestions/tips are greatly appreciated.

@Brian Ellis Unfortunately I didn't clearly state the amount that would be due in the event of early termination (this was my first tenant and I'm learning a lot after this one!). This was the clause in the lease regarding termination:

In case of any termination of this Lease or termination of the Resident’s right to occupy under this lease, by

reason of default of Resident or non-payment by Resident, Resident will indemnify Landlord from and against

any loss and damage sustained by reason of any termination caused by the default of, or the breach by, Resident.

Landlord’s damages shall include, but shall not be limited to, any loss of rents, accrued but unpaid prior to

termination; all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the Landlord to restore the Premises to the same

condition as they were at the beginning of the Lease, including cleaning and painting (reasonable wear and tear

excepted); any costs reasonably incurred to advertise and relocate a new Resident, including broker's fees;

moving, storage charges, or any other expenses, fees, or costs allowed by law, incurred by Landlord in moving

Resident’s belongings pursuant to any legal proceedings and as allowed by the court.

My current tenant is breaking the lease 3 months early. I've agreed to charge him half month's rent to break the lease and I want it paid independently of the security deposit. He's refusing to do so and wants me to use half the security deposit to break the lease (He's bitter that I'm doing a walk-through of the apartment to assess damages after he moves out instead of with him before he vacates the property).

This is the response I got from him when I told him I'd be sending a payment request through Cozy for half months' rent..."I've already sought out legal advice and they tell me your previous communications are sufficient to break the lease without me needing an official lease break document. Again, you're not getting another dime from me. I expect the refund in 30 days or I'll see you in small claims." Seems like a bluff, but is a text message saying that I'm allowing him to break the lease sufficient, or does an actual legal document need to be signed?

My current tenant is breaking the lease 3 months early. I've agreed to charge him half month's rent to break the lease and I want it paid independently of the security deposit. He's refusing to do so and wants me to use half the security deposit to break the lease (He's bitter that I'm doing a walk-through of the apartment to assess damages after he moves out instead of with him before he vacates the property). 

This is the response I got from him when I told him I'd be sending a payment request through Cozy for half months' rent..."I've already sought out legal advice and they tell me your previous communications are sufficient to break the lease without me needing an official lease break document. Again, you're not getting another dime from me. I expect the refund in 30 days or I'll see you in small claims." Seems like a bluff, but is a text message saying that I'm allowing him to break the lease sufficient, or does an actual legal document need to be signed?

My tenants are on a lease that was set to expire June 30. I just got a text saying that they broke up and she’s moving out today. He wants an updated lease with just him on it. Do I make some sort of amendment to the existing lease or draft up a new lease with just him? And now I may have to deal with him breaking the lease and moving out before June 30...

@Steve K. The house is in the next town over, Weymouth, but there has been a lot of development in the area (apartment buildings, retail space, restaurants). 

@Steve Bracero I've thought about leaving as is, but I'm just envisioning future tenants complaining about it and me having a hard time with tenant turnover. It sucks because the house is in a good area and I had no idea the sound transfer between units would be like this when I bought the house. The problem now is that if I were to sell, my wife and I would have to rent an apartment, and then our next move would most likely be to buy a single family (planning to have a baby in the very near future) which would mean my plan to build wealth through real estate would be gone. Tough spot I'm in.

@Max T. I can't imagine that any properties within such a close proximity to Boston are producing rents that are 1% of the purchase price. The upstairs is carpeted for the most part, so I don't think the footsteps have the same affect.