All Forum Posts by: Susana L.

@Drew Leo Hi Drew, can I get the info for your agent and pm?  Thanks!

Hi Xander, Welcome to BP!  

I'm just getting started on this process myself as well, also in Los Angeles.  I'm wondering if you like the contractors you have spoken to and if so, can you send me their info?   Or, please PM me the info.  Have they given you an approximate time frame of how long this conversion process can take?

@Ricardo Paredes   Hi Ricardo, did you end up moving forward on the conversion?  How has it turned out?

@Chris Paez  Hi Chris, looks like you did this garage conversion about a year ago.  How did it turn out?  How long did it take?  Looking back on it now, how much of a challenge was it for you?  I am thinking of doing a garage conversion in L.A. too.  Similar to your conversion, there was a prior conversion done 25 years ago, but without permits and now, 25 years later, it's in horrific condition.  Just starting to do my research now and saw your post.  Thought I'd reach out to see how yours turned out.  Thank you -Susana

Hi LA Friends!  I need recommendations to general contractors that can help me fix up a property in LA, zip:  90031.  It is located near Dodger Stadium off Riverside Drive.

It is a 500 SF 1 bedroom 1 bathroom on a 5,100 SF lot. I need to completely rehab the 1x1 and also build another house, possibly a 2x2, converting the SFR into a duplex.

Here's a link to a similar sized lot, a couple blocks from subject property:  https://www.redfin.com/CA/Los-Angeles/2342-Fernlea...

If you are a GC that can take on such a project, I would love to hear from you.  Or, if you're not a GC but know an awesome one, please refer them to me.  

Please feel free to reply with questions.  Thank you!

Susana :)

Additional Keywords:  Silver Lake, Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights, Downtown, Chinatown

@Katie Stewart Hi Katie!  I appreciate your response so much!  How do I assess damages to the common area in the event that the individual tenants do not all move out at the same time?  For example, if there are 4 individual tenants, all of whom signed leases at different times, and when 1 moves out, I notice that floor tiles are broken?  Do I get the floor fixed at the time of move-out and charge all tenants 25% at that time?  Also, how do utility expenses work for a single house with 4 individual tenants?

I am feeling hopeful and optimistic that renting by the room is going to work!  Thanks so much for the info! ;)

@Aaron H. Great advice!!  I appreciate it so much!!  Thank you

I own a 4 bedroom house that is currently being rented by 4 friends together - great tenants, btw.  3 of them are moving out in a couple months.  The 4th person wants to stay and I would love some insight on how to make this work.  I am exploring options on how to re-rent the house once the rooms are available.  The 4 renters were friends so they were on a single lease and that was easy.  ;)  But now, I want to help the 4th stay but it seems a little more complicated.  I'll have to find some roommates for him, which I don't think will be hard.  So my question is, since they will all be strangers, should I have the current tenant plus the 3 new ones all sign a new single lease or should I rent the rooms out individually and hold individual deposits?  

Do you see potential problems that can arise with either scenario?  Any advantages to each scenario?  Which scenario would you prefer?  If each are on an individual lease, how do I manage their deposits in assessing damage when they move out?  Is it only to their room?  What if, at move-out, they leave their rooms in excellent condition but the common areas have damage?  

Any light you guys can shed on this is most appreciated!  As always, I am so thankful to be a part of this amazing community!  Thank you!  :)

@Mark P.  Hmm... I wonder how I would find a superhost /co-host to help with my property when I get one.  Or I can go with your advice about finding a reliable cleaning person to double as the greeter.  I'm still trying to figure out how I am going to self-manage my vacation rental.  Thanks for the update on the Airbnb, by the way!

@Mark P. Mark, you gave me so much info!! Such great insight and thank you for sharing your own experience with your VR!  What is the average length of stay for your guests?  I know you wrote 2 day minimum stay, but how long do they normally stay for?  Do you ever get guests that stay for weeks or months?

I will definitely look into finding a handyman and cleaning person.  I didn't even know that we could use the Airbnb host community to help each other.  Amazing!  

Which areas do you think do the best, I mean, other than the obvious of those rentals near the village?  And are there areas I should avoid?

Thank you again for your advice.  I am so motivated to get started!!!