All Forum Posts by: Sylvia B.

@Luke Carl At first glance I thought that first image said "Smells like bleach!"

I've never bought out of state, so I can't help you there. A 15 minute drive takes me from my house to my most distant rental. 

We are also very hands on with our renovations, only hiring out what we can't or don't want to do. 

The inspector is going to tell you what is broken, worn out, or a safety issue. You'll want to take care of those things, but there may be updates/esthetics that you will also add to your list. He'll tell you if a window is broken, but not whether you should dress it with curtains or blinds or both, for example. 

Well, that makes it simpler. Your location says NY, so you'll be doing this long distance?

For the renovation part, you need to make a detailed plan. I start by quickly writing down everything I can think of that needs to be done, then go through the list and group things by category and priority. You mentioned asbestos abatement. Is that siding, flooring, insulation, all 3, or something else? Siding and flooring are simple - cover it up without disturbing it. Insulation is more of a problem, therefore more expensive to deal with.

Regarding finances, be sure you have enough set aside to make those loan payments for twice as long as you think it will take to renovate, rent, and refinance. Something always comes up that you didn't expect. The last thing you want is to get into financial trouble and lose the house.

I didn't think you were, I was just curious.

Yes, the prices seem crazy low compared to other areas, but the rents match. My highest rent is $885 and I'm bumping the ceiling with that. When we look at each other's prices/rents, we'd both like to buy at my price and rent at yours, but it just doesn't work that way. :-D

Wow! Those are some big undies!

Do you mind sharing your source? 

Measure the floor tiles. If they are 9" squares, there is no need to test, they are asbestos. In that case, just cover them up. Sheet vinyl or vinyl plank would work fine.

I agree with other posters, if there is no rot, just do flooring in the blue one. 

If you do tear out the wall tile and want to put up new tile, do NOT put sheetrock behind the tiles. Use Hardiebacker or Durock cement board. Best of all, seal that cement board with RedGard before tiling.

By "family property," do you mean you own it along with other family members, or it's been in your family for years so you don't want to sell it?

And what's the rent on those units? 

I'd be interested to read that list!

Here are some things we have already decided:

• Replace siding - probably charcoal gray with white trim.
  
• Remove the cable wires and old antenna.
• Replace windows, changing size, style and location as needed.
• Replace the 3 large windows in back with a sliding door that opens onto a deck.
• Remove the two doors on the right side of house in 3rd photo. One is in the kitchen and the other in a bedroom, but neither is useful.
• Improve the front entrance. Exactly how, we haven't decided.
• Fix the carport.

That's all that can be seen in the photos I've posted. So what would you do?