All Forum Posts by: Account Closed

So a single parent with 3 kids is desirable, but a dual income married couple with two kids and living with elderly parents drawing social security that watch the children while the parents work is undesirable?

Income does not matter. Managing time and expenses makes the difference. 

They make new keypads that program just like a remote. No wires. Usually screws in right where the old one sits. 

https://www.amazon.com/LiftMas...

Are there any obvious signs that a home was a cleaned out hoarder house? We are too late to back out, have already begun the flip. Moved in after getting rid of the cat odor. 

Painted, got buzzed on shellac, and installed new flooring. Kitchen coming out next week.

There is a lingering odor that will not go away, not chemical, feline or decomping rodents. The house is liveable but we just cannot place a name to the smell other than old, dry trash. The smell is very dull- noticeable when first walking in and near the back door. We are more concerned about getting used to it and losing on the resale. 

I have my suspicions that it may have been a mild hoarding case (seller had stated mental health for selling, was unoccupied for 18 months although there were Ramen noodles and some other items that had expired years ago in the cabinets.) 

Overall, does it really matter if it was or wasn't? Would there be a different method for the rehab going forward? Send in the Hazmats or handle ourselves?

International Property Maintenance Code. IPMC from ICC. You can buy the outdated ones on Amazon for 10-15 usually, and I promise they are almost as exciting to read as an obituary. 

But, if you can make a list or remember to check a few of the bigger things it will help you decide if it's even worth paying $500 to have it inspected. The first realtor I worked with got mad at me for fidgeting with the thermostat, pulling on handrails and wiggling the toilets. What's the point in looking at the rest of the place if you're not living there?

Plus, nothing makes your code enforcement staff happier then when you can show your making an honest attempt to keep your rental properties up to standard. 

For the record, sounds like there is some kinks in the plan but this would be an ideal getaway!

Like it was said earlier, it's just a jeep. The yuppies got ahold of them stripped the Jeep image of any functionality and made them into station wagons. Oops, I meant Crossovers. 

It is a remote rental with access to a rental vehicle. Simple enough. 

What if you changed the word Jeep to Rav4? Would you be getting the same responses? 

Years back I had rented a little Focus, bouncing around Colorado on some 4x4 "suggested" roads. Never underestimate the capabilites of stupidity and determination. Maybe have your cleaners check the underside of that Jeep out too.

Closed on our flip house this morning. While cleaning we stumbled upon a roach trap with a couple carcasses. The deeper in we found bait stations, multiple glue traps and a few lone deadies. 

Disclosure stated no known infestations, although the evidence is pretty damning. Not too concerned with getting the former owner to pay but having no experience with cockroaches I am not sure on the next step, or if we need to immediately contact for extermination. 

We cleaned out the cabinets, no real signs of a current infestation that we know of. Carpet has all been pulled up, checked every crevice and tore apart the back of the fridge and stove. 

How can I be sure this wasn't a former problem, and now knowing the cleanliness standards of the former owner - they just never bothered to remove the traps. Or is this just the beginning of a larger issue?

Do I need to worry about taking these damn things home with me and spreading to another house??

This is also a shared wall unit, I would prefer not to share my roaches with the neighbors at this time.

Some people naturally sleep less, others just operate under a caffiene/nicotine fog for most of the week. 

Force it short term to get to your next step, but only out of desire and not necessity. Running half awake all week long is an overall piss poor strategy for life, and affects more then just your long term health. 

Were closing on one Thursday, I'll throw my numbers and reasons out there for reference. With the uncertainties in the market and shotages/material price hikes we are playing it way safe on this one. 

Let's just say we're buying for 150k, intent on selling for 200k. In my area homes go up on average 6% every year. Ignoring that some have sold for 20% higher last year. 

If we do nothing, as it sits it will be worth somewhere near $168,000 in two years. My comfort level had been established by setting our rough estimate at no more then 18K into this flip. At least we make our money back if things go wrong, or we stay in the house. 

The inspection came back pretty minor, the house is just a cosmetic turd. So knowing it's all cosmetic eliminates all contractors. I'll do the kitchens and bathrooms myself. 

We went in with a laser tape and measured walls, cabinets and floors. Made a list of each project, materials needed, went into the Home depot app and started writing down prices. Came out to about $16k for a materials list. We will be much lower then that. 

If anything just do your homework. Hit as many open houses as possible in your buying range, and selling range. Research the properties, know when they last sold. Eventually you will get a feel for which ones have been flipped and will know what to look for as potential and which ones are the duds. 

I keep rambling but I guess the best way to put it is to set the budget you're comfortable with, and find a way to make it work.