All Forum Posts by: Ray Reed

Newark is an expensive place to insure.  A while ago a few carriers stopped insuring non owner occupied homes there.  Some came back but it is still more expensive.   

the rents seem kind of high for that area. on average you see two bedrooms go for $1200 - $1300.  At $1650 you are talking 3 bedroom 2 bath, parking, central air/AC and laundry facilities.

Glad it worked out. I would still follow the process with the court officer if you can. technically you cannot lock out a tenant even if you suspect they moved.  Also if the utility was shut off and you need to get them turned back on, that paperwork from the court officer makes it easier for PSEG to activate your service again. 

@Lashawn McCauley were you able to do the lockout?

@Chanise P. sorry we lost you to PA.  Rahway is a good town to invest.  Just finished a rehab there. 

@Chanise P.  Union County is not the most expensive in property taxes.  Essex and Bergen county has Union county beat.  Its just that Newark (in Essex County) taxes are cheap.  Other Essex county cities like Irvington, any of the Oranges, etc are not.   

   @DL Martin I am curious as to why you would not take section 8 in C/D houses.  Especially in the D class, they are probably your most stable tenants since their rent is subsidized based off of income.  The only time I am opposed to it is if they are non working section 8.  I do not want tenants in any of my housing to be home all day if i can avoid it.  More wear and tear and higher water/sewer bills. 

it may be just me but i avoid putting friends and relatives in the same small multifamily (2-4 units) no matter how highly recommended they come from another trusted resident.  If one has a problem with another resident, they both have a problem with another resident and can make that residents' life hell. Same goes if one has a problem with their landlord.  I like my residents with no affiliation with one another. 

@Nancy P. that is correct, external monitoring.  In D class neighborhoods one of the things you have to prevent is people loitering in front of your house/building.  You also have to address the tenants that are the causes of that.  It also helps you to see any occupants/extended guests that are not on the lease.

1.) Put up camera system and internet connection so you can monitor remotely.

2.) Put bright external dusk till dawn lighting that the residents cannot control

3.) Do not collect rent personally. Have it deposited, electronically transferred or mailed to PO box (no personal checks)

4.) put durable material (i prefer LVP instead of carpeting)

5.) screen hard. 

njcourts.com . I suggest playing around with that site on your free time. I do not even show an apartment to anyone until i check the criminal and prior landlord tenant cases on that site first. 

Keep in mind the court officer's job is to make sure everyone is out of that apartment and you get documentation that the apartment was emptied and in your possession.  You are the one responsible for bringing new locks and changing them.