All Forum Posts by: Que Tran

@Rob Stauffer

For duplexes that are side by side, you can have the tenants do their side of the yard. But, if you're in a lease, and already listed it as owner maintaining, you'll need to continue until the lease is up for renewal.

But if the duplex is 1st and 2nd floor, it is harder to determine who will be responsible. Typically owner does maintain the lawn with their layout. You can require the 1st floor to mow, but now, there needs to be a rent discount, or you need to provide the mower, maybe the gas and can also.

Tenants do get lazy, get home late from work, it's raining out, it's too hot, baby is sleeping... excuses to not do it. Better to just have a reliable service to cut. It avoids getting a fine for tall grass, and piece of mind.

Or, landscape with mulch and stone. The initial investment will be great, but yearly savings is worth it. Just don't make it look stupid, and reverse the equity.

@Claudia Del Leola

It happens often these days, when you provide lots of pictures and a virtual tour. I use a 360 camera to capture the entire room. But, I must say, every non viewing tenant has always been upset at move in. They had different expectations, and are more demanding. One of my now requirements are: they understand the deposit is non-refundable, and they must pay for the 1st month ahead.

What you see is what you get. Most of them don't move in upon arrival. So now, I always have them come in for a tour first. Or have a family member or friend to do it for them via video tour.

@Andy Sabisch

Your 1st agent, do you love and trust her? Or even a friend? I think you should have asked her for help. Even if she was away, she probably has an agent friend to help with showings or contract help. But using agent other agent will hurt her when she finds out. Definitely an ethical question.

Using another agent is fine, but now you should wait to see if your office was accepted. Or you'd be buying 2 at the same time. And it would be a harder conversation to both agents. It's our livelihood, and we do so kich driving and research to help our clients out. Sometimes without a buyers agency agreement because we are friends.

Now you're basically asking her to work for free. It's a dilemma, but do what is right, and have the conversation with her first.

@Russell John Walsh

It's never been a question for me. I'm a female realtor, mostly showing male investors. I have many female investors who had never brought up the topic, using a male realtor.

You should definitely disclose your recordings as it may be illegal in your state without 2 party consent. But even as your client, I would be more upset if I didn't know about the recording. It is fine, if I agree, so I can comment accordingly about the house.

@Scott Michael Gross

How exciting. Since they are countering, they are just as eager to sell. When walking through a showing, I always ask tenants questions.

Here is my routine: I introduce myself and my client, talk about weather. Complement on their pets or decorations. Ask how long they've lived there. Ask if there are any repairs they would like done. Ask if the current owner usually does repairs timely or not at all. And then thank them for the tour. They will spill their guts, without you having to seem too nosey. Even if owners tell them to keep quiet, their face expressions will alert you.

@Jessica James

Never stop learning. It's great that you're talking classes. I've learned a lot through YouTube, and asking tradesmen to teach me how to do, while they are doing it. I'm always on Pinterist and FB groups to share ideas and tricks. It's more fun, when it doesn't feel like work. Enjoy!

@Davis Evans

Technically both are responsible, as she was not signed off on the lease. But I would probably assess if they always paid on time, if they called in a lot of work orders, and if I was able to rerent the unit fast. Always best to keep moving forward. At least you had the security deposit. But as long as they left it in good condition, I personally would not pursue for lease breakage fee. The more you Dwell on the negative, the more stress you'll give yourself. And the only thing to do next, would be to notify them to see if either pay. Or put their account into collections. But be prepared to fight for their deposit money.

@Joe S.

Every year, I always say: I'll slow down for the summer, to enjoy, relax, and take it easy. And every year the time passes me by, and fall is already here. So if you get the opportunity to shut down and turn off your projects, do so. Money can be made, but you can't get time back. Maybe if we shared out down time in the fall, it will help remind us to do so. Enjoy the summer ☀️

@Aviv Peretz

I used 2 seperate companies to clean. Both hired girls to clean. Both didn't clean well. Both would not answer my requests. So I hired a cleaning girl who cleaned for a friend. Private cleaning is amazing. She tells me when supplies are out, folds towels into cute shapes, and really cleans. Nothing illegal going on, other then an honest girl doing an honest days work. Since then, I've always given her name to other member of the HOA. I'm truly grateful I found her.

@Joshua Taffe

I agree, there is something else wrong. She is using that as a way to not increase rents. But taxes, utilities, and insurance goes up on owners without warning. You don't have to justify the increase. Only need a 30 days notice, maybe 60 days, since she's been there for a long time, as a courtesy. But she also has the option to move as well. If I had to guess, her rent is most likely under market value anyways.