All Forum Posts by: Nick Montville

If your tenant has a child under 6, you would have to test for lead, and if it's present, you would have to have it remediated within a certain time frame. Also by Massachusetts law, while screening tenants you legally cannot discriminate against families by denying them because they have children. In the eyes of the law, if a family with children under 6 wants to move in, you have that same period of time to remediate the lead. That being said, most tenants would not be willing to wait the amount of time it would take to have the lead issue fixed and they'd move on. If your current tenants had a child on the way, it may be worth letting them out of the lease to find somewhere else If they're open to it. This is the MA database of lead paint certificates/violations: https://eohhs.ehs.state.ma.us/leadsafehomes/default.aspx It's likely that the property you're looking at was never tested. Going by the construction date, It's also possible someone gut renovated the property since 1978 without ever having lead remediation done, and therefore there won't be lead present in the property.

I'm still looking for a contractor if anyone has one they've had a good experience with.

I'm under contract for my first live-in flip! I have a contractor already coming out to give me a bid, but I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations in the Taunton area in case things go south. Ideally would be someone familiar with the 203k process, but doesn't have to be. Scope of work is primarily plumbing (water heater, bit of missing copper, and replace sump pump.) Also installing a kitchen which is currently an empty room with a kitchen sink and a gas line for a stove. Other than that just relocating a few outlets, and a little bit of sheetrock, plaster, and paint.

Also keep in mind that if the basement is below grade it won't meet minimum standards of fitness for human habitation: "No room or area in a dwelling may be used for habitation if more than 1⁄2 of its floor-to-ceiling height is below the average grade of the adjoining ground and is subject to chronic dampness."

Personally, knowing the laws in MA, if you started an eviction now it could very easily be drawn out until April anyway. If they are paying and keeping the unit in good shape I would simply wait it out and respectfully let them know with plenty of notice(30-60 days) that you have chosen not to renew their lease. Tipping off the police wouldn't hurt but I wouldn't expect anything to come of it very quickly.

Is the first duplex FHA financed? Part of the issue may be that you're only allowed one FHA loan at one time, and you'd need to refinance to at least a conventional loan to obtain another FHA.

Hey all, I'm looking for recommendations for a contractor in southeastern MA. I'm looking for a quote on a possible FHA 203(k) project. Basically need a 2/1 apartment redone along with some other odds and ends in a 3 family. I've called all the recommendations from friends and family but haven't heard anything back.

Well it's a good amount below my purchase price for a 3 family, I was hoping to go for a 203k loan. It had a lockbox so I was able to go in and look around, place was in impeccable condition compared to most of the ones I've looked at. No vandalism to be seen. Just the heating repair, some minor mold, little bit of rotted exterior wood and some paint. It's looking like it'll be a wash though, I'll probably end up waiting til Spring. Thanks everyone for the advice.

Hi all, I'm looking at a potential first property for a house hack. It's a Fannie Mae property, 3 family. Needs very little work but the gas has been disconnected and meters removed, and there's some minor plumbing required for the forced water heat in the basement. It's a perfect first property for me but there's no way I'd be able to get a mortgage without utilities functioning. Anyone ever managed to work around this?

Hey all. I'm looking at a potential first property, a 4plex in MA. It currently has one gas meter, one furnace, and one hot water tank. I'm wondering how much I can expect to pay to have it separated into 4 separate gas and heating systems. It's hot water heat. The existing furnace and hot water tank appear to be on their last legs and probably should be replaced. Any insights are appreciated, thanks!