All Forum Posts by: Amy A.

Here's an update. After I got a new fridge, the electric bill went down about $40 per month!  I didn't realize the old fridge was using so much power.   It will pay for itself in a year.

I have used AZAK or generic brand plastic trim with a vinyl window and lots of caulking.  Make sure to slant the trim away from the window so water flows back into the shower (you knew that).  I had the surround tiled, but there's no way I'll do that again since it went over budget.

I've seen too much damage caused by dishes and don't allow them on the building.  However, I will allow them on the deck or on a post.  The companies never retrieve them when the tenants leave and they rely on caulking (if they seal at all) and don't flash around the base.  

Of course, the cable companies aren't much better.  I've had them run a cable up the MIDDLE of the building and through a hole that you can see daylight through.  If you allow cable, find out where they will run the lines first.

There are smurfs living in the well.  (sorry, I couldn't help myself)

I have tenants who love me and give me gifts, and tenants who hate my guts and have told me as much.  I treat them all the same.  However, I've found that males treat me better than female tenants, and the best tenants are a little bit afraid of me.  Fear is good.

BP wants long titles on posts, so the clown comment was all I could come up with.  My husband and I joked about offering $123456, but we chickened out because we were afraid the bank wouldn't take us seriously.  I guess we didn't have to worry!

For years I've been trying to figure out the pricing strategy of banks.  Will they reduce the price 5% per week?  10% per month?  Will they counter with a 3% reduction?  What is their strategy?  Surely large, sophisticated banks use some sort of calculation to get their inventory sold.

Today I got a counter-offer from a bank of $123405.  I give up.

If I buy a plow truck in 2018, can I deduct the entire cost without depreciating? Do I need to buy it under my LLC's name in order to deduct all expenses related to the truck? I'd like to get away from recording miles. My pen freezes in the vehicle and mileage tracker apps I've tried don't always work.

Do I understand correctly that if you moved out and rented your unit it would cash flow positively?  Even with no money in it?  Therefore, if you had to move for some reason, you would not be forced to sell?  Well for cryin' out loud, buy it!  Oh, and keep your $50k.  You will probably find something that needs to  be fixed within the first year.  It always happens. 

The tricky thing will be having your neighbors as tenants.  Be very picky who you rent to.  Buy lots of books and join the local landlord association, because the laws are tricky in California.  However, you will have more rights as an owner-occupant than you would otherwise.

I just got a new one today!  Inquiry from tenant : "Interested in this apartment. I have a small Bernese mountain dog, wondering if that would be a problem? "  Under "current housing" she listed "dorm".  I wonder how long she hid a "small" 100 lb. dog before they kicked her out?