All Forum Posts by: Amy A.

When I brought it up a few years ago, my electrician warned me that the Lewiston city inspector would go through the whole building and I may have to bring the whole building up to current code. Not something I wanted to risk in a 100+ year old building.

I'm a licensed Realtor and recently purchased a retail strip mall with small units. I know, terrible timing - I closed Jan. 31. I have a couple of upcoming vacancies that I've posted on New England Commercial Property Exchange. I paid for membership so I can post ads. I also looked into Loopnet and the cost is very high! I did the free ad, but it's not generating anything. I tried Craigslist for a while and the section of the residential MLS that's for commercial (most Realtors don't know it's there). What is the best way to find tenants for this property?

It's been a long time since I attended a meetup! The last one was so much fun, I can't wait! I will try to get my spouse to go too.

It sounds like they know the game of turning the pet into an ESA.  You won't win this.  However, inspections should never be done virtually because you can't smell odors.  If they just sprayed air freshener so you can's smell anything, tell them you'll have to do another inspection because of that. I once had an apartment that the tenant cleaned perfectly, except for the threshold that was still covered in dog crap; I thought I had painted it brown - nope!  The odor was so bad I don't know how anybody could live there!  The dog urine got into the sub-floor and they were smoking.

What I would do is make sure that's not happening to your property.  If they're responsible pet owners (with the dog running loose, probably not) than you'll be fine.  As for the radon, check your state law to see what's required of you.  If they are destroying the house, I wouldn't put any new equipment in because they'll destroy that too.  You can evict them for damage, but not for having the dogs.  Take pictures and if you need to, cut out a piece of the carpet that's soaked in urine to take to court with you. 

I've been sharing a bad scenario, but hopefully they're fine and will rent from you a very long time, happily paying rent increases because they'll have a hard time finding a new place with their dogs.

Is the delay occurring while she's doing the background and reference check?  Sometimes previous landlords take a while to get back to you.  Also, as long as she has a good size deposit, there's no rush for the lease.  I never have them sign the lease until they pay the first month's rent on move-in day, but I get the deposit asap.  You should ask her about her strategy before firing her.

I switched from LVP to sheet vinyl that looks like LVP.  It's much faster to install and the seams don't come apart like the LVP does sometimes.  Without seams, you don't have to worry about water or urine getting under it.  It's also a bit quieter when walked on.  So far it has held up well for several turnovers.  These are class B properties, so your class A may need better material.

I'm busy this week, but hope to attend in the future if you keep having meetings.

Electric baseboard is the most expensive type of heat. The only landlords I know who like it are those whose tenants are on LIHEAP so the government pays for it. Regular tenants can't afford it.

I am interested in multifamily modulars as well. I can't get the numbers to work, but would be interested in learning more about your strategy.  I have the land if I can get it rezoned.

You are guilty of discrimination until proven innocent. It's not fair, but it's true. You may be able to use those notes to defend yourself. "Ms. MHRC lawyer, I reject every applicant who chews food while on the phone, not just members of a certain protected class. Here are my notes from 2014 to prove this." I guess it depends on the type of information you recorded whether you should keep them or if they set you up for more liability.

I don't understand why anybody would invest there.