All Forum Posts by: Rob Tepe

Hi All

I live on the second floor of my duplex and I have tenants in the first floor.  Their kitchen is directly beneath mine and whenever they cook, their cooking odors travel up and become overwhelming in my unit.  Sometimes even when they aren’t cooking, the smell of their spicy food just lingers. I installed an exhaust fan over their stove and I know that they use it, but it’s overmatched I’m afraid. Their entire apartment is pungent. 

I noticed the smells mainly coming up under my sink and dishwasher. Fortunately no other rooms in the house have the odor. I’m assuming it’s coming through the floor where the plumbing pipes are exposed.  Would spray foam insulation in these areas help with this issue?  Does anyone have experience with this and found an actual remedy?  I’m desperate so ANY intel would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you!!! 

Thank you, Kenny appreciate the insight!  Relieved to hear the problem can be solved with proper ventilation.  It was quite strong!

Hello!

My wife and I just bought our first MF and will begin house hacking this Spring when our renovation is done. The downstairs tenants are locked into a lease for a year so we cannot update that unit till 2024.  We noticed when they cook downstairs, the smell immediately fills our unit upstairs and is incredibly strong.  We were planning to install a hood and properly ducting it to the outside when we do the reno.  Currently it just has the stove fan that re circulates the air in the kitchen.  

My question is, do you think installing a good exhaust fan and properly venting to the outside will solve the problem?  Is this something we can install now easily with the tenant in there?  Any other ideas to help prevent the smell from permeating our unit? Any thoughts or Do's & Dont's for a house hack rehab are greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Rob

Hi all,

My wife and I are doing our first house hack and beginning a renovation on our place in January.  We need to get all new appliances (fridge, dishwasher, W/D, stove, etc). We plan to live in the house for 2-3 years and then rent out our unit, so we would like to get nicer appliances that we will enjoy, but keeping in mind the importance of durability since it will become a long term rental.  Any suggestions based on prior experience with major appliances?  So many options to choose from, any insight is appreciated!

Hi All,

To piggyback off Jon’s post, I am in a similar situation.  My wife and I are moving from CHI to NY for a sales job covering Manhattan, Staten Island and Brooklyn.  Ideally we’re trying to live in or near Brooklyn and house hack our way into our first investment.  Knowing we were going to move, we held off while living in Chicago, but we’re ready to make our first investment!  My job requires daily use of a car, so we need to be in a place with parking, which is why we’re looking more Long Island than the city.  Any thoughts on best neighborhoods to house hack in or near BKN?  Happy to connect with investors in the area.

Thanks!

Rob