All Forum Posts by: Sam Faas

Jonathan, thank you for the advice!  Definitely appreciated.

I have been to quite a few of these auctions and seen first hand how competitive things can get.  I also have lost out on a house because I was some dollars short of the 10%.

I know the area and property quite well, and familiar with the foreclosure case for the particular property in question.

The reason I ask is, because I am not physically in the area and wanted to see if any service exists, where they can bid on your behalf, when you tell them your maximum, and perhaps hook up with a HML, where the 10% down payment in certified funds is not a hinderance.

I found a property on the sheriff's site that I think is a good opportunity at the right price.  I am wondering if there is someone I can pay to physically go to the auction to bid on my behalf.

Just FYI, I am aware of the risks of buying things in foreclosure.

Can anyone recommend anyone like this in NJ?  Thanks!

Let me start by saying that I've always loved the area, for vacationing and otherwise, but never thought about investing there.  The recent hurricanes got me thinking about the future of the area.  While I do think that extreme climate is something we all will have to contend with, I think the area will always be popular as a vacation destination.

Having said this, I am thinking about looking for a STR in the area. I intend to pay all cash, thereby removing the requirement for flood insurance. Any other ideas from the Tampa folks as to what areas I should focus on, contacts in the area, or just any other ideas in general about buying a STR in Tampa?

Thanks!

P.S. - In no way do I mean this to be insensitive, given everything that happened over the last month and the suffering that people are experiencing right now.  If it comes across that way I apologize in advance.

Read an article in Bloomberg today about Atlanta's suqatter problem.  I always thought GA was a landlord friendly state, what is going on in Atlanta and why is this such a problem?

It's 2024, and I received renewal notices on 2 SFH properties with a 33% and 28% increase respectively, without any claims over the life of the policy period. This is after a double digit percentage increase last year.

The only 2 options, if I want to hang on to these properties, are:

1) increase deductible

2) change carriers, to a lesser reputable carrier (think rated B or lower on AM best)

Is there anything I am missing and how are you coping?

@Colleen F. thank you for the great answer.  I was going to suggest using cedar oil and DE on the inside to avoid ticks.  Also I don't have dogs so did not know about frontline, thank you for that suggestion as well.

HI all, I had a tenant move in recently and they were supposed to move in with a dog.  They reported seeing ticks upon move in (within the first week) and my pest control person went out there to remediate.  The initial infestation as resolved but since then they have seen some more ticks (3 more) and he should be going out there again later this week.  

I am just wondering if anyone else has dealt with this and what they did?  Also wondering if neem oil and DE actually work and anyone has had success with it?  Found this on the internet but have not spoken to my pest control person about it yet.  Thanks.

Hi all,

So I ran a background check on a potential candidate and decided on them as the tenants I would like for my rental.  I am wondering about next steps and see if you all have any thoughts that I might be missing.  This is what I was going to do:

1) This week:

Let them know the exact rental amount due before the move in date (next weekend).  How much earlier do you get the certified check from the tenant, or do you accept Zelle/cash from them?    

Fill out a rental application form, so I can get their SSN, DoB and a copy of their D/L.  I already ran their background and credit check through Zillow, and called their references.

Tell them to start shopping for renter's insurance

Send them a copy of the lease so they can review it.

2) Day of move in:

Physically go over to hand keys

Collect the signed copy of the lease and provide them with one.

Go over the move in condition with them.

Anything else I am missing here or should be doing?

Thank you all for the great advice, I'll report back if it makes any difference.

Another thought I had, was to canvass the neighborhood and introduce myself as their neighbor, I would imagine it's a lot harder to throw trash on someone's property when you know them.

I have a SFH vacancy that has a back alley. Each time I go by, someone seems to have dumped more trash there.

I have installed the fake cameras and plenty of signage but that doesn’t seem to deter whoever is throwing it.  I have found trash there with a mailing label of a neighbor but am unsure how to confront that person.

I have bulk trash services through the city but the items outside the trash can are not picked up.  Not sure if it’s even worth complaining to the city.

I am at wit’s end here and don’t know what else to do?   Open to any and all ideas.