All Forum Posts by: Ray Harrell

This morning I received a call that the police kicked in several doors in my apartment building (story is they went from top to bottom looking for this guy, who they obviously didn't find). Turns out the person they were looking for lives in the building next door. Other than making an insurance claim, how should I proceed? Can they do this?

It's funny that some people think collecting the rest of the lease is the most important thing. If you have a questionable tenant wanting to leave, you are in HEAVEN! That's the best thing that can happen to a landlord is a tenant who is not able to pay rent leaves voluntarily!

The "management fee" includes MANAGING the property, and that's including the administrative time of collecting rent. Collecting rent doesn't just mean watching it as it comes in. It means contacting tenants to remind them, letters, 5-day notices, etc. There should not be any additional cost for that MANAGEMENT service. PMs should NOT be keeping late fees. PERIOD!

Also check with the HOA to see if you can purchase the unit as an investor. MOST HOAs require owner occupancy for at least a year. If they find out you are leasing during the first year they can foreclose.

That's not bad at all. Just include it in the rent, and make sure the HOA is doing what they are supposed to do. In Chicago I've seen HOA fees as high as $1,000 per month. That fee includes water, trash, common maintenance, landscaping, snow removal, sometimes windows.

It may have actually been a mistake. I've withdrawn money from the wrong account before, or expecting money that didn't show up on time. She corrected it. However, I would demand certified or online funds going forward. I wouldn't take a check from anyone for anything (unless it is a business).

@Eric M., I'm directly on target actually. You are asking people here if certain areas of the city (code for where brown and black people tend to live) are dangerous for your child. You would not have asked this question if your child was going to Navy Pier (knife stabbing there last weekend), or the Gold Coast (constant robberies), or Lincoln Park (shootings). Your underlying question wasn't about the safety of your child, but about what type of people live in the area of the park. Your child is in no more danger going to Hamilton Park for an event than he is going to any other park for an event, including Millennium and Grant Parks, or being in a public place (work, school, mall).

Tell your child to simply be aware of their surroundings and act like they belong there. People tend to prey on fear.

Unfortunately, your self-admitted "cognitive bias (white, north side)" has cause you to ask a question that screams racism to those who know what it looks like.

I think it depends on the market. I dont think that holds true in larger cities where people simply may prefer to rent.

unless ahe is staying 30 days consecutively, she isn't considered a tenant. So what, she visits once a month. Things could be much worse.

People always die in houses. Why do you have to disclose that? Is it priced to sell?