All Forum Posts by: Shoshana Shulman

I just want to thank everyone for your responses. You are a great help. Thank you.

My tenants keep the double paned windows closed all fall, winter and most of spring. They don't use heat because they don't want to pay for it. The air-tight windows get condensation on the inside glass, to the point where it is dripping from the bottom of the window inside the house. Black mould is growing in various places. After I consulted the builder of the apartment, and researched this online, the conclusion was that the mould is coming from humidity inside the house and the lack of air circulation. It was recommended that the tenants crack the windows open for a limited period of time to allow for air circulation and the exit of excess humidity build up. They refuse, saying they are not going to freeze. Does anyone have any advice? I think they might be gearing up to sue me, or who knows what.

Thanks to all who contribute here. I have found, being 'older,' with a very limited income, that I do not qualify for loans or mortgages even though my credit rating is fantastic. That's okay, as I am not comfortable owing money to anyone. What that has meant for me is:

1) bought an apartment (A area) to live in , hacked it (made a small rental in it, besides living in it), and it was slated to appreciate, which it did (doubled in eight years/now plateaued)

2) bought half an attached house (C area) with a partner, rent has stayed the same, house is maybe keeping up with inflation but no more than that

3)bought another apartment (A area) as a rental, which is slated to appreciate, which it did (up 25% in five years), rented at what BP thinks is too low, but for me it's fine as appreciation had not yet plateaued

I wish I would have gotten into this sooner, (I did try, but it didn't go, and there was no BP to help me at the time), but as it is, these properties will allow me to eventually retire much more comfortably than I would have been able to on my small pension and social security.

Thanks for responding. I do know how difficult Baltimore City is. I have both lived and taught there. I'm looking at a house in the Belair-Edison area. I heard that section 8/Baltimore City (not sure which) is requiring home inspections YEARLY, not every two years, as of now.

I am also familiar with the ridiculous tax rate and the fact that landlords get billed directly for the water bills.

Like I said, I'm still thinking it over.

Hello, Mark Cruse,

Can you explain why you are sick of Baltimore? I am looking at a property right now, and deciding whether or not to go for it. I'd love to hear your experiences.

Thank you.

Hi Everyone. Does anyone have a good property manager in Baltimore City who will service an attached house in the 21206 area code?

Is anyone familiar with the new law to have an inspection before the end of the year for a new purchase, and what to expect at such an inspection?

Thank you.

Thank you. Very much.

I am looking at 13008 parkhill avenue in ohio. the seller tells me it's near Shaker Heights, a sought after area. I look at the house itself on the internet, and see it's a pretty dicey area, but very close to Shaker Heights. Two out of the three assigned schools seem decent. I also see that there are 7 people living there, and this is a two bedroom house. The seller says the tenants have been there two years and want to stay. I have my doubts about this place. The rent is 650 per month. The total cost of purchase is 37,000 including closing costs, etc., so that's not a problem, but I have my doubts. So, if you are familiar with this particular area in Ohio, please let me know what you think. It is under a management company already. I just think the area and tenants look like trouble. On the other hand, there are similar places in Baltimore that don't put me off as much as I lived in Baltimore and so just feel more at home there, no matter what the area is like. I have an offer in on a house in Baltimore right now, but I don't know if it will be accepted or rejected.

Thank you everyone for your replies and helpful advice. IT's RENTED, and to really nice people. I just feel compassion for the other people who really, really wanted it. 

Hi Group, 

I might have messed up a bit in communicating. I showed an apartment to a prospective rental family, quoted a price to 'assist them in making up their mind,' and they texted me, 'We'll let you know our answer in a week." A week has passed and they texted me to say, " "We'd love to take your apartment." So I texted, 'Let's meet to sign the contract at your current apt.," and they texted, "Let's meet at your apt. as we want to see it again and take measurements, and discuss terms." I got the feeling that they were giving it a second look, and might change their mind, so I showed it to someone else, and he said,"I want the apartment." Am I obligated to give first dibs to the first people I showed it to? I never explicitly said I was holding it for them, but I think I gave them that impression.