All Forum Posts by: Neel Patel

Thank you everyone for the responses! I will not be touching the condenser wires at all. However, let me take a few steps back and explain what I am thinking of doing:

I have two HVAC units: one in the basement and one in a HVAC closet on my balcony on the fourth floor

The image named shows how my basement-HVAC wired. It is connected to a box with a switch that controls the HVAC and two outlets. One of the outlets has the tankless water heater plugged into it. I am hoping to replicate this outlet/switch/box combo in the balcony-HVAC closet.

The image below shows how the balcony-HVAC is setup. It has the switch connected directly to the HVAC but no outlet. I'm hoping to add an outlet/box to wall and move the switch to the box, ultimately mimicking the basement-HVAC setup. I plan to use same type of conduit pipes, box, and outlet. Once the outlet is in place, I can plug the lights into the outlet and run them out of the hole that leads out of the closet.

Assuming that the basement-HVAC breaker can handle the water heater and the HVAC, I am assuming that the balcony-HVAC breaker could handle the lights and the HVAC. Here is the picture of the breakers.

Thoughts on the plan? Anything I'm missing?

 Thanks! I will not be touching those wires.

I am adding some additional pictures of my deck area and where existing lights/outlet are located. One other option that occurred to me was to install an outlet/switch similar to how my basement-HVAC is connected. The basement has the tankless water heater plugged in.

I'm trying to install some LED rope lights around my balcony/deck area and ideally I'd like to plug the lights into my HVAC Closet rather than using the outdoor outlet that I have to have a cleaner look. I'm attaching a picture of the electrical wires I have available: 2 wires for condenser units and 1 wire for HVAC. Can I splice any of this wires into an outlet? Wanted to get thoughts and feedback before calling an electrician.

Thanks!

Thank you @Andrew Kerr @Zachary Paul for the information! I'll have to adjust my numbers going forward. Unfortunately, the deal on this one fell through. Back to searching for another one!

Hello all,

I recently came across a deal that I am actively pursuing in the Francisville neighborhood of Philadelphia. It is a new construction building 40 units. Current owner has the building about 75% occupied with average rent at $1300/month. My initial assessment yields a 9% cap rate, however, I am not 100% confident in my property management numbers.

Questions:

1. I am accounting for 4-5% of rental income for property management with the assumption that the management company will handle finding tenants, marketings, collecting/managing rent and security deposit, maintenance issues, etc. Is this accurate?
2. Any recommendations on a property management company?
3. Any other things I should be accounting for?

Thanks!

Great details! 

 Hi Irfan, the pedestal deck system is actually for my house. I currently have a fiberglass terrace with a two inch cricket. To make it look nicer and eliminate/reduce the 8-9inch step down from the house to the terrace, I wanted to install a pedestal system with 24x24 IPE tiles. For about 225 sq. ft., the materials cost is right around $3,000 give or take a couple hundred depending on the vendor.

Sorry for the delayed response. Email notification got buried and the last couple weeks have been busy.

Hi,

I'm looking for recommendations on painters in the Philly area that could come give me a quote? Looking to paint a 3,000 sq ft house, doors and base boards/molding. 

Thanks!

 Thank you!!

Hello,

I'm looking to install pedestal decking on my terrace in Philadelphia. I haven't decided if I'm going to do it myself or hire a contractor to do it.

I have a 15 ft by 15 ft terrace and would like install either 20"x20", 24"x24" or 24"x48" IPE tiles on pedestals.

A few questions:

1. Does anyone know where I could purchase the materials in Philly? Or even a reputable company nearby or internet company?
2. Any recommendations on contractors in Philadelphia that do this type of work?
3. If I do it myself, any advice or pointers?

I posted in DIY forum as well but with no responses, I am posting here for a more direct audience. Thanks!