All Forum Posts by: Sino U.

I wish you would have told us the year, it makes a huge difference.

Anyway, everything you mention, plus 1) get a camera run on the sewer line, 2) make sure the Elec panel is newer and sized correctly (a lot of HIs will just say if it's functional or not) 3) Foundation ( is it slab or raised?) for movement or settling, 4) Maybe most important because it's so hard to correct...the grading at and around the house. You need 6" clear from ground to bottom plate, and ground must slope away from house...5) Any place that water can enter the house (doors and windows, skylights, where roof meets eaves, etc...) should be checked thoroughly, if it's not raining on inspection day, you have to be really careful with this...any suspect areas, put a hose on them....

Hey Sino U!

In my personal experiences a lot of structural items start with bad drainage. If you have a flat roof with drains, or a pitched roof with gutters I would ensure either way that the flow of water is un-obstructed most commonly by leaves or pine needles from trees. Then wherever the water is getting discharged off of the roof, that what water is getting at least 4-5 foot away from the structure before it is left to drain with gravity away from the property. 

I say to look at these hard because these items can occur for a period of 12 months possibly without major issues of seeing large cracks or settling if a lot of water hasn't been present in large volumes. I know it may sound common sense, but people do struggle with understanding that water follows gravity. If it discharges 5 foot from the building and there is a low spot running back to the building, then it is going down hill back to the building. In a perfect world the water is hard piped at least 15-20 feet from the structure once it comes out of the gutters.

Where is the top of foundation in relation to elevation of drainage and elevation of the road? Typically, we are shooting for top of foundation to be 24 inches higher than the road and at least 36 inches above the bottom of the drainage. Guaranteed others are fine with a lower elevation, but I do not have water run over my foundation inside. Consider it. Pretend your getting the hardest rain you have ever seen and imagine where the water is going.

I would also keep an eye out for sewer lines and type of material. You can get a sewer line scoped with a camera for $250. Are there any trees in the path of the sewer line? Pretty easy to not check this and have a failure after you close... Pretty easy to get a $6,000 to $10,000+ sewer dig up and replace cost if it's a perfect wide-open area. If you pay the $250 and they say it's all perfectly glued and installed schedule 80 then you're going to have confidence without worry. It's worth the $250.

You have a pretty broad and "standard" list of items that you would inspect for sure!

Congrats and you're on your way!

What market are you referencing? I'd underwrite the deal as any other - make sure you are conformable with the quality & tenant base. It can be a positive for short term rentals (if in a good area) to be near the airport. It can also be an absolutely awful area. Depends on the city & airport. 

Referring to Austin market  

Hey Sino. I own a few rentals near the Memphis international airport. It's a huge FedEx hub. Not sure if my tenants work there or not. But as long as its not directly in the flight path, it will be okay.

I have had really great feedback about Dominique Leal. Very responsive and great market knowledge! I can PM you his information. We have sent over a few referrals to him and they have given us great feedback when we asked how their experience has been.