All Forum Posts by: Steven Fischer

Thank you. I want to find the right balance between being human and empathetic and not being taken advantage of or controlled.

@Demetrius Lindsey what neighborhood? I agree a MLE triplex is very hard to find a deal for. I recently got beat up buying a Wauwatosa brick duplex and had to take a few lumps to get the deal thru (still worth it for me). Sellers market here for sure.

Really good point. “They are just working with what’s there.” Love that perspective thank you.

It’s interesting the little conflict points that are there to catch you and test your calmness.  

I talked to the tenant this morning, apologized for for surprising them and said I understand why they lock it, but they I also need access in emergencies or while working on the vacant unit. Said I’d install a keyed lock and they were pleased. 

I think you’re right, if the tenant wants to lock the common area screen door from the inside - I need to make sure it can be opened from the outside with a key.

I agree with privacy and not being at the property at night, but this happened mid-day as well and I’m rehabbing the lower unit and need access during reasonable hours. 

Thanks for your reply!

I’m a new landlord with an inherited tenant in the upper unit of a duplex. I’m only a week in and twice have found myself locked out of the common entrances by a locked screen door (with an unkeyed latch lock). After calling the tenant they have let me in, and both times have said “we lock it when we come in at night”. Keep in mind this is a shared entrance for both units.

I asked them not to lock it as I have contractors coming and need to work on the lower unit. It happened again tonight and they seemed frustrated at me (swearing even) as it was a bother to let me in to my own property. And I should have called them.

They have been uncooperative about giving me a key to their unit - I had to almost corner them. Clearly they feel special need to control their doors!

My calmer judgement tells me to install a better inner door lock so they feel comfortable leaving the screen door open, and explaining that common areas must be accessible to all tenants and property management. However my evil side wants to disable the locks and charge them a lockout fee.

Rant over. What would you do?

@John Minock awesome feedback, thank you. The driveway needs some mud jacking to adjust the pitch, and there’s a downspout right next to the problem area. Those fixes combined with the suggestions you made seem to be the ticket. I have a contractor meeting me there right after closing tomorrow.

The water leaking wasn’t disclosed. Delaying close will trigger the inherited tenant’s unattractive lease to auto-renew for a year (I need to serve notice by end of February to prevent that). I like the idea of delaying though.

Thanks for the response - very good point about my agent. As far as the source goes, there's a huge pile of snow against the house that is melting, plus a downspout. It's pretty clear it's a drainage issue, but the extent of the water coming thru is concerning. I was counting on spending a few thousand for tuckpointing and mudjacking the driveway to angle drainage away. I'm just shocked at the water coming thru. Maybe I'm overreacting?

I found water in the basement of the duplex I'm set to close on tomorrow morning.

Water is leaking thru cracks in the foundation blocks and running across the basement floor to the drain. Our home inspection reported that we needed tuckpointing and grade correction, but the foundation was straight and dry at the time (of course, there was no water source / melting snow at the time). I asked a lot of questions of the inspector and was satisfied that it was "old" staining and a minor issue. 

The seller is being beyond difficult. They claim this is not a new defect, that we were aware of the issue due to the inspector's report. They are refusing to allow my contractor to inspect, and are not budging on the price. They have already allowed about $8k in closing credits/price reduction for about $30k in deferred maintenance. I still like the house, but the prospects of another $10k in foundation work is beyond my comfort level.

If I back out I put my $10k earnest money at risk. The clock is ticking and I need to make a decision this morning. I have consulted with my attorney on the prospects of getting my earnest money back. He feels the presence of water escalates the situation and should be construed as a "new defect".

What would you do? I like the house, and am willing to spare the headaches. It's not a great CoC deal - but is a solid long-term equity deal. Our market is beyond hot and the house is in the neighborhood I want for future good rents. Am I getting in over my head? Will I get my earnest money back?

Thanks for your insights. Arghhhhh!