All Forum Posts by: Ben Skove

Those who are coming out of college with a mountain of debt and are facing a lackluster job market...it's going to be tougher for them.

Personally, I'm pushing my 13 year old into coursework that hopefully will get him at least a year's worth of college credit prior to matriculating. I'm also seeing how an additional year at community college rates prior to transferring up would affect overall tuition/credit/etc.

Higher ed is going to be going through some significant changes fairly soon, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out.

(Cue "What's the Matter With Kids Today?" from Bye Bye Birdie.)

Y'know, if I were a wholesaler, I'd show up at those auctions with a bunch of copies of whatever deals I had available to hand to those folks who didn't win....

Given the volatility of bitcoin, this would be the only way that I'd accept it. I have enough worries without having to wonder whether or not the payment has dropped (or risen) by 20% before I'd converted it.

And if it's broken, not easily salvageable, and not worth repairing - basically, junk - setting it out at the curb and posting it on the "free" section of craigslist usually makes it disappear. Honestly, around here, simply setting it at the curb is enough. It's amazing what people will take.

The bank turned on utilities for the REO I purchased without any charge or other grumbling. It wouldn't hurt to ask.

Originally posted by @Dev Horn:
I've noticed more banks in this area using AUCTION.COM to sell REO's.


I've noticed this as well. What's worse is that they'll let a REO sit on the market for ages, and after it becomes clear they won't get anything close to what they're asking for, they'll put it on auction.com with the reserve being the last listing price. Given that the buyer has to pay a buyer's premium on top of their bid price, I don't think the person who gets the house can be called the "winner".

@Jon Klaus I'm surprised about the patience, too. The magistrates I've seen at work don't hesitate to cut off a party who goes off on a tangent or isn't concise. They've seen it all...can't say that I envy their job!

Review your lease to see what recourse you have. While it may be a waste of time to bring the pest guy in only to be told that the infestation won't go away until the animals are treated/gone, it will give you the documentation you need to issue a cure or quit.

Given that frontline and other topical flea control meds for dogs are less than $40 for several months, it shouldn't be hard to abate if the tenants are willing. The fact that they haven't already pretty much speaks volumes.

I agree with Nicole about not wasting your time making accomodations - particularly given the fact that your feelings about the pets are pretty clear.

While I primarily use Zillow, I find that Trulia and the realtor mobile app have their place. Personally, I hope they all continue to thrive - keeps the pressure on to innovate.

Bedroom in a rehab had paneling that went up 8 feet, in a room with a 10 foot ceiling. Their solution? A drop ceiling, naturally.