All Forum Posts by: Ray Jhala

@Caroline Gerardo Really appreciate the time you've taken to give me such a detailed response. A lot of great ideas. I will educate myself on those different solutions and get to work!

@Chris B. Hey Chris, thanks for your feedback. (I'll take a second look at those wires out back, I'm pretty sure most are old internet cables/phone lines but they need cleaned up nonetheless) Cheers!

@Andy Sabisch Hey Andy,  thanks for the reply, do you have a preferred material that you would recommend?

Hello Everyone!

I've got a failing retaining wall and I'm looking for some suggestions on what I can do the remedy it! In its current state its a bit of a liability and safety hazard for tenants however I am wondering if there are some creative solutions aside from just tearing it all out and re-doing from scratch! As always thanks for any and all suggestions. 

Ray

Hey BP!

I've got a property that I am rehabbing and our timeline unfortunately got pushed back into the upcoming winter months.  The property is currently vacant and does not have an HVAC system installed. We have a number of things that need to get done before we can get our HVAC crew in there to install.  Until I wanted to make sure I took the measures to prevent our pipes from freezing/bursting.  

I am not sure what the best preventative solution would be so I'm asking the smartest people I know, you all!

I've read online about insulating pipes to keep them from freezing however if the space is not being heated do I need to go out and buy a space heater to try and keep the space a bit warmer?  

Thanks in advance!

~ Ray
 

Hey Evan, thanks so much for the feedback. I find myself falling into the trap of wanting to perfect and fix everything so I appreciate the advice.  This is a buy and hold property for me that I will be renting close to the upper end of market rents for the area. Do you think this will be a significant hinderance in retaining tenants?  

Hey Biggerpockets family, 

I'm once again looking to the expertise of the community to help me decide how to tackle a water pooling problem.  Ive got some water pooling on the driveway where the pad has sunken in various places.  I have been looking into solutions and have found conflicting recommendations on the best solution. 

I am curious to know what the community thinks! I have attached a photo of one of the front driveways however I have the same problem on that back patio pad.  I really appreciate any and all feedback. Thank you!   - Ray

Hey @Matt Lewis!  Thanks for taking the time to reply to my question here.  The wall is not very long at all however I agree with what the feedback you've given me here. I am quite new to this and construction is not my background so perhaps extra caution is my preferred route.  Thanks Matt!

@J Scott Thanks so much for the reply. I'll be honest I am a little bit star struck to have you reply to a post of mine. I appreciate the feedback and reassuring my thought process.  I will proceed with doing just that.  Thank you for all your content, and your books have helped me a great deal to gain some understanding of how all this works.  Much appreciated. - Ray

Hey everyone!  

I am currently in the permitting process and the permitting department has asked me for the details about the removal of two loading bearing walls on either side of a duplex. The walls are not very long and I am looking to take them back 4 ft or so and install a half wall with counter on top to open up to the kitchen space (in both units - same layout) 

This is my first rehab and so I am not 100% familiar with this process. From researching online and in these forums it seems to be best to hire a structural engineer to help provide material list and a drawing.  The city permit office has requested the following: 

"Please provide details about the removal of load bearing walls. Show what the bearing walls are carrying, (floor, ceiling, etc) post location and what the post is bearing on, beam size and length, etc."

They have not explicitly asked for a structural engineer to provide sign off however I am curious to know what others who have done something like this before think.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  

Thanks! 

~Ray

@Randy Ralston Hey Randy, thankfully we aren't doing anything by way of electrical or plumbing but I definitely wouldn't dream of doing any of that type of work without having it done appropriately.  Thanks for sharing your own experience about the electrical fire.I'm sure that was an incredible stressful experience to go through and I'm glad that it worked out in your favor. Thanks alot!

@Joe Splitrock Hey Joe, thanks for the feedback, I agree with what you wrote.  I will certainly do more by way of educating myself on code and get in touch with the city and county.  Thanks for your feedback.