All Forum Posts by: Cosette Trantow

Hello everyone. I'm going through a really hard time with dealing with the Shaker Heights Building department and the POS. I've almost completely rebuilt my property and they've only taken 50 violations off the POS (started with 167). There are violations that don't exist anymore (they want drawers in the linen closet-but the linen closet no longer exists) that they refuse to take off. I've been in contact with the guy above the inspector and he sidesteps questions and is less than helpful. My contractor has walked them through and shown them what we disagree with.

I have more money into this house than it's worth but I have to put more money into it in order to make it POS compliant or no one will buy it. I hate this POS process, it's ridiculous and expensive. Probably illegal. 

Anyway, I don't have money for a lawyer (and I'm not sure what a lawyer would be able to do for me anyway).

Does anyone have any experience with this and know who I need to contact to make sure that I can get questions answered and violations that don't exist removed?

 I jut found out he's been scamming a lot of people. Taking their money and then not sending pictures or invoices. I'm not even likely to believe that there was a death in the family. But if there was, there's no reason he couldn't have had his office manager send me the invoices/ link and other people working on the property could've sent pictures and updates. Plus, these issues started LONG before the death. 

@Gayle Eisner

Thank you for the idea Gayle. I've thought of trying to manage on my own, but I'm out of state and I would have no clue how to manage a rehab.

@Cameron Green

Thank you for the detailed response. This is what I was thinking needed to be done already so it's nice to have someone else verify that I'm on the right path (for the most part). I've sent him numerous emails specifying what I want and I now have a bunch of unanswered texts asking about what's going on. 

I just found out last night that he's out of the office for a while (there was a death in his family) and he never said anything to me about it or set it up so that his office manager can get me the things I need and I have no idea who he has working on the rehab. 

I really liked the guy and I don't want to cut him loose, but this is business. 

I saw on your profile that you manage your own properties, how do you do that? Do you think it's something that I can do as an out of state investor?

 Thank you Brian. Do you do PM here in Phoenix? I want to get a property or two here in the future so it would be good to know a local manager.

@Nathan Gesner

Thank you for that detailed response. You're right, I don't want to be the bad guy. I also don't want any big repercussions from firing him either so I want to tread carefully.

I'll definitely transfer to new management, I'm just not sure if I should have contractors finish the rehab separately and then transfer that into the management company as well. I'm a little intimidated to choose my own crew, but it might work out for the best. 

I really REALLY appreciate your detailed response, it brought up things I hadn't thought about. I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

 It's supposed to take 120 days. A lot of that time is used up already. I gave them their initial start money and then didn't hear anything about the project. No updates or pictures. The contract went into effect on June 21st. It's not a tear down, but everything needs to be redone including heating from boilers.

I'd love to be connected with your guys.

 I'm not sure what a fair price is, but if they aren't doing anything and it's sitting even though it's supposed to be done at the end of October, it's going to cost me more money anyway. 

 I'm not sure what you mean by his "broker". I was just up there in June and everything was fine, I don't want to go up there again just to find out I'm right and he hasn't done anything for me. He still hasn't talked to me in a week. I've been calling, texting, and emailing and I haven't gotten a response.

@Bob S. Thank you. What would you do in this situation? Just fire him and find a property manager that can handle both the 1st rental and the rehab on property 2?