All Forum Posts by: Rick C.

Check out First National Bank.  I have been doing all my loans through them.  They hold their loans so can be more flexible.  They also have free small  business checking accounts.

Penn Hills is a huge area and the neighborhoods within penn hills vary.  There are some nice areas but the taxes are high.  Overall its a decent rental area that can cashflow.

@Kenneth C.  I'm in the Pittsburgh area and initially had similar concerns, but I switched and now have tenants pay their own water.  The water authority is required to give you notice if the tenant is behind on their utility bills to be able to hold you responsible.  You will get copies of past due bills and are notified of pending shut off dates.  Search the PA Municipal Authorities Act if you want to review.  

i started installing the kwickset electronic keypad locks on new units and turnovers.  Initial cost is 3 or 4 times a regular deadbolt, but we plan to recoup cost by not rekeying, just changing the code.  Tenants like it too because they dont get locked out, the keypad lights up in the dark, and you can set it to autolock the door.

Hi Chris

When I run into something like that I pull up the floor a little further back and cut the cast pipe where it is straight using a grinder or a sawzall if its really tight.  Then you can use a fernco to transition to pvc.

@Scott Weaner  cool...thanks for the tip!  I'll have to give it a try.

do you have issues with this tool cutting the screen?  Rollers I have used in the past cut the screen so I have been doing with flat edge screw drivers....takes forever!

We just took the old steam pipes out of a house....tried a sawzall for a bit, but used the grinder because it was so much faster....just buy a couple extra wheels because it will wear them down.  we ended needing 3 to cut the boiler, 11 radiators, and all the associated pipes.   

I usually advertise the last week before its ready so i can make appointments the first weekend its done.  I aim for the last half of the month too.....activty always seems to pick up then.

They probably have money saved up because they have not been paying the rent while the bank was repossessing the house and now have to move quickly before they are evicted.  

I might give it a shot with a 6 month lease and a big rent deposit or prepaid escrow if there were no other qualified applicants, but i would go with another qualified applicant if i had one.....

Ill follow this one to see what everyone else thinks....