All Forum Posts by: Sharon Carter

Started out with venmo/paypal but as my business scaled it was too manual for me to track who had paid rent & who had not, so I wanted something more automated & switched to Cozy.com.  But now that cozy has been bought by Apartments.com, I really don't like the interface.  Looking for new free payment app.  

I live in and own 3 rentals in North Everett. Generally I would say Boulevard Bluffs into Mukilteo and north of 41st/West of Broadway are the more desirable areas.  I am not as familiar with southern Everett but there are some undesirable pockets. Areas to consider if you are looking for a fixer in "up and coming" neighborhoods: east of Broadway between 17th & 23rd has plenty of (1910-1930) homes prime for fixing up but I would be selective about the block.  I also like the northwest corner of South Forest Park neighborhood.

Thank you @Sherief Elbassuoni, @Matt Ziegler, and @Tracy Streich for your input.  Much appreciated!

@Kyle Keller No, we were not able to screen them prior.  This typically would be done once ownership is transferred.  In an ideal (non-COVID) situation I would be raising the rents to market-rate and ask them to apply for tenancy and provide pay stubs to prove they can meet our income requirements.  Unfortunately our Governor has placed such strict rules around tenancy right now that we have to tread carefully.  There is a moratorium in effect until March 31st, 2021 (& likely will be extended) on raising rent, evictions, charging late fees.  Without providing proof, a tenant can claim a COVID-related income loss and stop paying rent.  Basically a landlord nightmare in our state if you have bad tenants.

My husband and I are closing on a duplex in Everett, WA later this month and are inheriting tenants. With COVID, how is everyone introducing themselves to tenants? Set a meeting in person or just a letter or email? I have a written letter that will provide them with our contact info & our how they should pay rent but I would like to meet them.

We currently we own a triplex and a SFR rental, and self-manage them both. We placed our own tenants, they all know us personally and we have great relationships with them. This is our first-time inheriting tenants and have the impression that one of the tenants might be more challenging. We weren't able to tour their side of duplex prior to writing offer and I think they have a special-needs child so want to be respectful. Also, we have very strict COVID restrictions in WA state.

Any tips would be appreciated!

I have 4-doors (SFR and one triplex) and have great tenants in all. Best tenants were a young family (late 20s) in the SFR who were the first to live in it after a MAJOR rehab. I think they felt lucky to be living in such a nice home! My other favorite is a senior woman we inherited in the triplex when we purchased it. She is like a mother-hen of the young kids on property. She always pays her rent around the 25th when she gets her social security check. Intentionally we have kept her rent a little below market. We make good cashflow off of the other 2 units on property so morally I don't feel the need to increase rent on a senior citizen.