All Forum Posts by: Phil Laundy

@Matt Groth def gonna check utility ins availability. 

Just to be clear, we are definitely paying the bill, just looking for advice on possible alternative approaches to dealing with water company and if our deduction of the extra water bill through monthly rent is a wise decision or not. 

@Pat L. thanks for the tip on utility insurance. Never heard of it but will check into it. @Mike Morawski Our landlord insurance policy did not cover the damage to the property or the burst main. Agent told me if it was a primary residence we could purchase a rider that would have covered damage but not on investment property. But thanks anyway. This is why I come to bp forums - - practical advice from people who have been there. Not condescending commentary. 

@Kenneth Garrett and @Travis Gulley thanks for the replies. We already talked w/ water dept. as well as someone else we have a Good relationship With in our small town govt but to no avail. The best they’ll do is a payment plan. They wouldn’t even deduct the sewer portion of the bill?! Unless  someone advises us against it, we’ll probably just deduct the monthly repayment amount from tenant’s rent since utilities are in her name. 

We have a duplex with two great tenants. 2 weeks ago both sides flooded due to broken water main in front yard. Of course it was my side of the meter so we paid about $2k to replace the entire run. Now the affected tenant has received a water bill for $527.00. Water company is refusing to adjust the bill and my tenant is asking what we’re going to do. Normal bill is about $70.00. Has anyone dealt with this before? I don’t think the tenant needs to foot the bill but man it sucks to spent another $500 since we also recently spent $3500 on an HVAC! 

@Kurt Traynor my wife is convinced that farmhouse you sold was her grandmas. It sold about three years ago for about 400,000. White Farmhouse next door to an animal hospital. 

So I just realized I can’t PM any of you guys without a pro membership. Guess I’ll have to get on that ASAP. 

@Brad Stein thanks for your input. My wife’s a KW gal and a top producer too. St Pete definitely seems like you need to know your neighborhoods. When we drove around it seemed like you could go from B class to D class neighborhoods in about 2 blocks. 

@Edgar Rodriguez Thanks for the info! Was aware of different rules in different cities but hasn’t even considered it might vary on AMI. We’re definitely also interested in long term buy and holds as well but that’s down the road a bit. Mainly looking for that second home/short term rental first. 

@kurt We will be in touch soon. Look forward to talking. My wife is an agent too.  Just finished a flip here that my wife listed and sold in less than 10 hrs! Problem we have here is inventory. Demand is so high that prices aren’t making sense. Nothing on mls that isn’t overpriced. All ours are off market.