All Forum Posts by: Kristi C.

They actually drove around my house during the day and night for about 3 or 4 days. They parked in front of my house and waited for me to come home or come out, then drove away when they saw me. A couple of times I noticed them following me with their headlights out at night on side roads. (I actually wouldn't have noticed them if they'd left their headlights on.) Then the evening after he broke in and stole something, they parked at the front of the yard, honk repeatedly, and when I looked out, they had their windows down, smiled & waved and drove away.

The parking, honking, and waving happened any time he did something.

Police said I cannot prove they're plotting anything so it doesn't matter what I saw them doing. But I highly doubt their behavior could have been unrelated coincidences.

That's a good one!

He's not any kind of gang leader. Although he's got a bunch of drug buddies. He's mostly just drugged out and crazy. His wife was at my place and saw some things she liked. She convinced him that I'm "evil" and that I hate her so he should steal my things to get even with me for being so evil as to hate someone like her. What's funny is I actually liked her before this...

Unfortunately, with any 8 to 5 type of job, everybody knows exactly what hours you will be gone, so it was pretty easy to break in since nearly everybody in my neighborhood is at work during those hours. He didn't have a job then so he had all day to plot how to mess with me. His friends and family actually helped him scope out my place. But it's been about a year since anything has happened with him. I just don't want to make something too tempting for him.

Anyway, I think the hidden cameras would be worth it if I actually caught him. Don't you have to post a sign saying there is a video surveillance for it to be admissible in court? I also like the idea of posting a reward sign. I think I might do both if I buy the property.

With the reward sign, isn't there a possibility of someone damaging something themselves then reporting somebody else for it just to collect a reward?

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And another interesting thing I learned during this... If someone makes a threat against your property, but not you, the police will do nothing about it. It's not illegal according to the police. They might patrol your neighborhood more, but that's it. They only care about threats to a person.

"I will burn down your house when you're at work." - Legal
"I will burn down your house with you inside." - Not legal

I am looking at a property to buy for a rental, but there is a problem not related to the house itself.

I have a stalker who enjoys vandalizing my personal property. He has broken into my house and stolen things. He broke into a storage building and smashed up my vehicle inside. And various other similar incidents have occurred involving this individual... Different witnesses have confirmed it was him but they won't testify because they're afraid of him. Police won't do anything without a witness.

So anyway... My issue is that this property is within one block of where he works. I'm afraid he might see me or one of my friends over there and find out I bought the place. He might either vandalize it or harass tenants.

Should I pass on this due to proximity to his work place? Would insurance typically cover vandalism on a vacant rental property? Should I buy it anyway and install security cameras? That might scare him away.

As I understand it, you can depreciate appliances in a rental over 5 years. If I bought a house with appliances already in it, can I depreciate them? Or does this only apply to new appliance purchases after the initial purchase of the home?

Yeah, I assumed that if I personally do something stupid, then I can be sued and still lose my LLC assets. I'm just wondering about accidents due to unforeseeable circumstances or clumsy tenants.

So is it better to have an LLC set up than to have insurance? I am keeping my insurance either way. I'm just not sure if it's beneficial to also have LLC set up in addition to the insurance.

I am new to real estate and rentals. I bought a duplex last year in July and it's rented out now. I am wanting to know about LLC and trusts. I was wanting to make an LLC, but someone who is a landlord here said to just put the property into a trust because it is cheaper and provides the same protection as an LLC. Then another landlord told me not to bother with LLC or trusts because they only provide a false sense of protection because I can still be sued personally regardless.

I live in KY. Could someone help me understand what the difference is in protection via LLC or trusts? Do I need one, both, neither?

I'm wanting to buy more property and I want to make sure I have this figured out beforehand.

Also, can I file my own paperwork for LLC and/or trusts or do I have to consult with a lawyer? I would prefer to file my own if I can.

I currently do have home insurance for landlords through Allstate.