All Forum Posts by: Susan Pompea

Look up the web-sites for "Mid-Century Modern Ranch". Mid-century modern is very popular. There are even a number of website especially for Ohio. You can find great color combinations at some of mid-century websites. Lots of people love the mid-century modern style--myself included. Remember, this is a rental. You want it to be nice, but at the same time, you need to be reasonable. I also hate to see brick and hardwood floors painted.

Does the house have hardwood floors? How much are you renting it for? I like it your house. I'd love to see the inside, if you have any photos.

It's not bad the way it is, but if it were my rental I would consider painting the garage and shutters, something lighter or brighter. Blue? Green? Can't tell if front door is painted.

Buy a nice doormat--something colorful and inviting. If you're trying to rent it right now, I'd buy a nice, large wreath to go the left side of the garage.

I like to plant chrysanthemums. Easy to take care of, not very expensive and every year they grow bigger and more colorful.

Ben, did your cousin find a place to rent? I know you wrote it in July. I have a very nice 3 bedroom, one bath house for rent Colo. Springs. How did your cousin look for a rental house? I'm interested in renting to the military and wonder what's the best way to direct my advertising to that market. I considered the military base newspaper but realize that most people would be moving into the area so would not read the local paper. I would rather rent to someone that has cats (John Rooster must be a dog person if he thinks that cats are dirty).

Lisa,

When I looked up "My Rental" tenant screening service, they require a physical inspection of the property for a fee of $90 if I want the tenant score and credit report package (that's in addition to the fee for the screening). I can already look up any criminal actions, including eviction on Lexis Nexis for about $7.

I've read a lot of reviews for the counter top paint. It does not stand up. Wet paper sticks to it as well as a number of other issues. If the counter top is damaged, that's one thing. I would not use it in a rental. I think the kitchen looks fine.

Thanks for all your help and advice. This morning the couple left a message telling me that they were going to look for a smaller house that was more in line with their budget (my house is 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom--about 1,000 square feet--not very big) I think I may have dodged the bullet.

I just show the property to a couple that "seemed" to be a good match but I'm leery because I had to evict the last tenants and they tore the place apart--I've spent alot of money and time getting the house ready--I'm not going to rush and I'm learned to really screen the tenants.

The couple had called a couple of weeks ago to get the information and didn't seem interested. They called 2 days ago and said they noticed that I still had the sign in the yard and saw the house yesterday. Older couple, no children no pets, no smoking. They wanted to know if I would take less for the rent if they signed a longer lease (2 years vs 1 year). It's only $50 per month less (and I had increased the rent knowing that it's easier to come down than to go up $925 vs $875).

He is self-employed as an auto machanic. Says he makes $4,500 per month gross, she makes $1,200 take home. Told me that the place they are currently renting is only $500 per month so they didn't want to increase their rent to much. I told them I needed to time think it over and I'm going to let them know tomorrow (Wednesday). Would you even consider them--if all the background and screening check's out? They want to move in on Dec 1st.

1. How to verify income for self-employed?

2. Don't want to tie myself into lower rent for 2 year (18 months would work because lease would be in spring--easier to rent).

3. If they make $5,500 per month, why are they asking for lower rent?

4. The house shows great and I've done some updating while property was empty, Great neighborhood--mostly quiet, older couples.

5. Not the best time of year for renting--that said, I'm getting still calls about the house and I haven't started actively advertising. Just a sign in the yard.

7. The last tenants also looked good on paper. Made the neighborhood a living hell and ruined me financially. (I did not run the criminal check on them--lesson learned).

--Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi Melissa,

I know what you feel like. I kept believing the stories my tenant told me and waited too long before I started the eviction process. When people would suggest that I sell the property because of all the trouble, I'd reply that this has been a learning experence. I am not about to let all the knowledge that I learned go to waste. There are so many things that I am going to do differently next time. Just think of this eviction as the School of Hard Knocks for Real Estate Investing.

I felt/ feel stupid, dumb, taken advantage of and I have put my own house in jeopardy. I lost so much money. I made alot of mistakes, but I'm going to learn from them. The one thing I've learned is to screen, screen, and screen every tenant. Check their court records (usually very cheap--Colorado--$7 through Lexis Nexis). The people who are going to cause you trouble have probably done this before; they know the legal system better than you do.

Have you tried the "Advanced Street Search" link at the bottom of the Adams County webpage? It lists all street names from A to Z. When you go to a specific street it will list all the address and owner's of the properties on that street along with the parcel number. Click the parcel number and you will have all the information for that property (sale prices and dates (history) taxes, grantor, building permits, etc.
--It may be time consuming to research each address individually (how many are you doing?) but in the past, I have used cut and paste for the information I need.