All Forum Posts by: Robert M.

Appraisals for banks do cost $400-$600 but a basic appraisal to determine current market value without all the bank required documentation can be had for $275 ( and banks order but do not pay the bill,  a third party that cannot choose the appraiser does) . I know because I just ordered one today to get a starting point for discussions on possibly selling a house to the tenant. 

Little better in my mind than a "comparables" because appraiser actually visits/inspects the house, and is supposedly third party independent.  

I disagree with all comments and agree with the bank. Anyone going to the bank on their own after finding the property would not be paid a commission. 

The self dealing aspect is what gives Real Estate agents a "bad image" ( I could have used more colorful language but out of respect did not).  

Also, If more agents took the high road and did not believe they "own" customers, the profession would also have a better image. I live is a small condo association with 7-8 realtors and cannot believe the attitudes of self entitlement they have. 

Just my opinion of course (based on experience).

What is a fair payment to a real estate agent to find and recommend a tenant that meets my rental criteria.  I have heard $500 and have heard first months rent. I am wondering what is most common. BTW, I do my own PM from a distance.  

I have, but will not again, buy a property that has had substantial improvements done by the homeowner. Too many surprises with work done that would never meet anyone's idea of code. 

Ok everyone, Wish I had a different outcome that we could all learn from but the tenant once again lied. This time to the courts and the story takes a twist. 

He used a low income program (required less than $30,000 per year), to file an appeal to the eviction (even though his rental application listed his income from his employer ( a bank!) in excess of $50,000). 

I had a motion filed to dismiss his appeal as it was illegal. 

Court of Common Please found in my favor and issued eviction notice in 5 days.  

He did not leave so I filed to obtain order to have sheriff appear and forcible remove him.  

Sheriff had to remove him by giving him 10 minutes to take his property and leave. 

Since his lease was up in 45 days and he had paid till end of month but was looking for new residence and had already removed much of his property. YES! I was evicting rather than waiting 45 days. 

Several reasons.

This 50 year old man needed to be shown that he could not act in whatever way he wished but had to follow our societies rules. I know ! I know!  you are thinking.................... what a waste of money. yep, it cost me $3000 in legal fees and court costs. BUT.....I have two rules I follow in my business. 1. I will not own a home I will not live in. 2. No neighbor will ever regret me owning in the neighborhood.  In addition to the pet issues the tenant's teenage emotionally needy child terrorized the neighborhood.  I caused that....I fixed that. 

I have since filed claims for my legal fees and the $7000 or so damage to the property including;

1. Holes in siding near front door

2. Odor of smoke in bedroom

3. Cigarette burns in carpet in bedroom

4. Holes punched in walls

5 two doors totally destroyed by punches and kicks

6. Two windows casements destroyed by child and needing windows replaced

7. Medicine cabinet broken

8. shelves torn off walls in bedroom closet.

9. Broken ceiling fan

etc, etc, etc,  you get the picture.

I filed with same JP as i did originally and won case and got judgement. 

Now to collect. We'll see.

I also listed this tenant with local Apartment owners Association in hopes that future landlords are aware.

Shorter version

He broke lease.

I evicted him and got a judgment. 

I kept my promise to myself and believe did what I should to maintain society. 

I lost money but still have my self esteem and sleep well. 

He should have difficulty in future doing this again to another landlord.

I am just investigating same. It will cost me approximately $24,000 to modify to approach barrier free ( 36 inch door ways and wheel chair accessible bath ) for a 3 bedroom ranch in northwest Pennsylvania. I am proposing a 6 year lease with options. Should decrease my vacancy to zero.  

Reading and trying to absorb everything. What a great source of information1

I recognize a lot of speculation but since my case is in progress I wish to remain silent for a while longer. I apologize for that delay.  Will follow up with all facts when case is decided in a few weeks

Slightly high maintenance tenant brought cats into one of my SFHs. My property manager told them not allowed. They said they removed them. Months later a German Shepard is reported there by neighbors ( my best property managers actually). Tenants say they are willing to pay additional rent. First $30 more per month. We refused. next $50 per month. We refused and said no pets. Then $100 more per month. We refused. They said they would board them out. 

Couple weeks later dog is back. We said "no pets" and filed for eviction. They said their sister could no longer keep the dog.

We won the eviction case in front of Justice of the Peace here in Pennsylvania. 

Now they are appealing ( their right) and saying it is a "service dog" for their troubled son ( ADD or ADHD, but not claiming just a JD. 

How should I proceed?  Any suggestions or experiences beating this kind of lying about their "liberal" rights ?

Thanks in advance

bob

@Raymond B. Thanks .got it!

@Michael Siekerka, @Ricky A, @James Wise, @Adrian Allen, @Roy N, @Felicia W, @Rolanda Eldridge, @Steve Babiak, @Jeff Rabinowitz, @Joe Fairless Thanks for all the opinions and

@Joe Fairless especially the the hard data.

Being from Erie, PA where there are sometimes endless winters, I have been planning on managing lease terms to end in early summer (June 1). I have had difficulty showing in January and February due to weather and have had a water freeze disaster (because power went out) in early March this year. Also heating bills in empty units are high in winter. @Joe Fairless data shows Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec to be slower months of demand (interest). My PM received many inquiries this April and into May.

We do have a Medical college in Erie but there is no real special circumstances other than winter and school year that effects peoples desire to move or not. Decades ago in Pittsburgh (I think I remember) May 1 being official moving day for apartments.

( Sooooo....May 31st, June 30th, July 31, seem to be the times I will end all leases.)

Thanks again for the consultations to help me make a decision.

Robert M.