All Forum Posts by: Nina Liu

Have a 1960s 30 unit single story motel where we are coming up on some end of life issues: the cast iron plumbing is disintegrating underneath bathrooms, radiators are starting to leak, electrical is in poor condition, and just today, discovered significant termite damage affecting multiple rooms. Right now, we've been able to keep rooms rented as we turnover the empty ones, but I am having trouble figuring out if this is the best strategy. At what point is it better to demolish and rebuild? I know some hotel franchises budget to shut down and renovate every ten years to stay updated. Ive only handled SFH and small multi-family rehabs, but never dealt with anything on this scale, and have no idea about the associated costs. Should I be reaching out to other hoteliers? Builders? Any feedback or suggestions? Thank you

Hi all, hoping to get some feedback on what you would do in this situation. Tenant died owing almost 10k. Police and detectives could not find any next of kin. The only thing of value they left behind was a small trailer and car (worth under $5k together). Lawyer advised that I would have to get a judgment against his estate before executing against any of the personal property. That means an estate would have to be set up. It's already been over 1.5 months since his death. 

I have read some other posts where people were able to transfer title, but might be more difficult in NYS. Any experience in this or should I just have his items towed? 

Edit: We are able to clean his unit up and get it rented. We have a large parking lot so the car and trailer can remain on property without being in the way. 

I'm looking to hire a live-in super or couple for a 30 unit inn in NYS (mostly extended stay). In your experience, what is the best setup/accommodation package so that both parties are happy? We have ongoing projects that have been outsourced but could have the super perform those if he is capable at an additional rate. Free studio + monthly stipend with any additional work added on (1099)? I also have been receiving conflicting info about Workers Comp and need to confirm if I need to get this. Thank you

I have a 30 unit motel that is currently all long term tenants. I'm planning on doing updates to the kitchen as tenants leave and possibly doing more short-term rentals. The rooms currently have standard 30" (and a few 24") electric ranges. I noticed that other local extended stay places only have 2 burner cooktops. 

Would you keep the ranges or switch to cooktops during renovations? I figure the cooktops would be easier cleanup + less cooking residue but I may detract from long-term renters in the case I keep things as long-term.

Hi all, I have a 30 unit motel that runs on oil heat. We have ~350 sq ft studios with one radiator in the main room and one in bathroom. In an effort to use less oil, I am switching to PTAC units that include heat and cooling. We've also had so many incidences of pipe leaks in the past from the attic so I will be happy to avoid those in the future. 

The PTAC units provide good heat to the small rooms, but is residual heat from the main PTACs enough for the bathrooms? Or should I install electric baseboards in bathrooms? 

My current plan was to keep the radiators in the event of outages because our 14kw generator is able to power the furnaces that provides heat during outages. But if I install electric baseboards, would I be able to rely on residual radiator heat from the room during an outage or should I upgrade our generator?

Any suggestions for our transition to electric heat?