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All Forum Posts by: Mike B.

Mike B. has started 32 posts and replied 442 times.

Post: IKEA cabinet review after 2 years of use!

Mike B.Posted
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Yardley, PA
  • Posts 451
  • Votes 307

Hi everyone

Just wanted to share personal experience using IKEA cabinets in my rental. I know it’s usually a debate whether or not to use them. Well after 2 years of renting.. still holding up fine with no issues! Just did a turnover to new tenants and they clean up nice! Easily wiped down, stains came right off etc.

Of note when I assembled them originally, I used construction adhesive on all connecting joints and added an extra trim head cabinet screw on large pieces to really hold them together. No water damage from tenants so bottoms (inside) are good. Those were caulked as well just in case.

If anyone has any other questions about using these cabinets... ask away!

Post: HVAC installation in Philadelphia

Mike B.Posted
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Yardley, PA
  • Posts 451
  • Votes 307

@Adeeb K. - I only use Creative Comfort Solutions. They have done 6 properties for me. Very reasonable, great pricing, great communication and easy to work with.

Post: How much to charge tenant for pet deposit fee?

Mike B.Posted
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Yardley, PA
  • Posts 451
  • Votes 307

Interesting replies by all. My rentals are more luxury/fully rehabbed properties and I allow dogs only. I charge a $500 deposit in addition to regular deposit and review in detail (and it’s in writing) that if the house is returned in original condition they get the deposit back. I’ve found this brings me more applicants for my properties and people are willing to pay more in monthly rent that I charge (which is always peak of the neighborhood) to have their pets. Also since I have a higher class tenant they take care of their pets better and thankfully I haven’t had any issues thus far.

Post: 3rd BRRRR property under the knife! West Passyunk (Phila, PA)

Mike B.Posted
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Yardley, PA
  • Posts 451
  • Votes 307

Picture of the outside painted. Still waiting on concrete guy to come back and touch up steps but you get the picture :-)

Post: 3rd BRRRR property under the knife! West Passyunk (Phila, PA)

Mike B.Posted
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Yardley, PA
  • Posts 451
  • Votes 307

FINALLY DONE and I can post a great update. The last few weeks have been crazy. Unexpected surprises, blood sweat and beers and at the final unexpected hour... great tentants saw it a few days ago and signed a February 1st lease!! $1500/month!  I’m happy To finally take a long awaited break and kick back a little. Enjoy the pix. Refinance will be in May. I’ll likely post a final thread in a separate forum since this renovation is now completed. 

Post: 3rd BRRRR property under the knife! West Passyunk (Phila, PA)

Mike B.Posted
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Yardley, PA
  • Posts 451
  • Votes 307

Another update: 

Had great luck lately (Sarcasm) and found a pump on the boiler was shot, so for a 1/3 of the price I could fix it, but no guarantees on the remaining lifespan, so I had to bite the bullet and install a new boiler. Thankfully I've used the same HVAC guys on multiple properties now so they did me a solid and installed at cost as a 'thank you' for my past projects and multiple referrals I've sent their way.  So now a new boiler is installed and we're wrapping up the final "punch list" items.  I'll get final pix and post up in the coming week or so, but it came out great. 

Post: 3rd BRRRR property under the knife! West Passyunk (Phila, PA)

Mike B.Posted
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Yardley, PA
  • Posts 451
  • Votes 307

Also to clarify the bathroom setup.. the tub is for taking a bath.. there's no shower head.. only handheld sprayer (like you would soak in the tub and use the sprayer just to rinse off).  Then we have the separate shower, which we were also able to raise the ceiling height in there, put in a recessed light and a nice shower door is on the way so it'll feel like a 'spa retreat' as to say

Post: 3rd BRRRR property under the knife! West Passyunk (Phila, PA)

Mike B.Posted
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Yardley, PA
  • Posts 451
  • Votes 307

Updated photos!  Having trouble with orientation, unsure what the issue is.  Sorry!

Post: 3rd BRRRR property under the knife! West Passyunk (Phila, PA)

Mike B.Posted
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Yardley, PA
  • Posts 451
  • Votes 307

@Adonna Pruette - will try and post new photos soon so stay tuned.

What we did though was new tile on the wall, sprayed the tub white, did LVP flooring and installed a white shaker style double vanity. Came out great and will be listing this for rent soon.

Stay tuned for photo updates (wish we could do this via our apps)

Post: American Water Resources - in Philadelphia (and other markets?)

Mike B.Posted
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Yardley, PA
  • Posts 451
  • Votes 307

I don't buy insurance on water/sewer lines.  I had a neighbor who recently went through a huge dispute with his water company (PA American Water in Yardley).  He paid for the high end insurance for years and finally had an issue, so he filed a claim.  He had to pay out of pocket to have his main line fixed, etc and seek reimbursement.  It took months of back and forth and finally he got reimbursed (had to involve a lawyer finally, it was rough).  And now, they dropped him and stated he can no longer purchase their insurance.  He said at this point, he likely paid enough money in insurance all these years, he could have just pocketed that for the repairs (vs. repairs + insurance payments).  

Food for though