All Forum Posts by: Teri Feeney Styers

@K S. It is the second toilet that adds the value - even a powder room. A "luxury" bathroom might translate to higher STR rental amounts - but that has never been a high criteria for me when seeking lodging. However, a double sink for LTR maybe...

@K S. I have done comps on 2 bed vs. 3 bed multiple times in my area. The third bedroom adds $25k to value across all neighborhoods. Likewise a second bathroom. You should always look at multiple exit or investment strategies. Can the numbers work in LTR as well as STR? If not - I would be hesitant. What are the rents on 1 bedroom vs. 2 (real) bedrooms? What are the sales? A Realtor or property manager should be able to assist you with these comps.

@Alazar Wubet you could be the "Go Fer" for your subs. Make the quick runs to Lowes, Lumber yard, etc. Why pay them if you are just sitting around? Let them concentrate on the skilled stuff. 

@Ethan Fowler I see so many young couples do what your fiance is leaning towards. They buy the expensive "cute & perfect" first home, burying themselves in a mortgage that will never make this a good rental property down the road - and trapping themselves from being able to afford to invest. I also would approach home ownership as a non-married couple with a little caution. You need a list of must haves - she doesn't have to live in a dump - and you don't have to get stuck with investing in a property that will never be a good investment. You guys work this out and you are on your way to a successful partnership. 

Have an engineer assess the foundation and write you a report. Around here that costs $150-$300. An engineer is neutral - a foundation repair company is not. You can find an engineer by reaching out to Realtors or draftsmen and architects. 

@AJ Stanis

You have the right to inspect your units with a proper amount of notice - why not do that every 6 months? It would be a lot cheaper... 

@Bobby Paquette if an STR brings you the same net as an LTR why would you hassle with it? WAY more work...

@Jaya Karda you should also revise your post to include Berkeley and San Francisco in the title. And look on BP for Realtors in your area that are members. 

@Niraj S. The reason septic tank size is rated by number of bedrooms is the presumption that the more bedrooms you have, the larger the household size and therefore the more "stuff" flows into the tank. The tank system you have is probably perfectly functional but will fill up faster than average. So, while an appropriately sized tank will need to be pumped maybe every 4-5 years you might have to pump this one every 2 years. @Trish Mccoy is correct in her advice. Get a good company out there to assess what you have before buying. You didn't say if the house had been lived in - but maybe a local company is already familiar with it and has done service. I will say, it is kinda confusing as to how this design passed the building department when the house was constructed. But maybe their oversite in your area isn't as comprehensive as it is where I live. 

@Darvin Ezell the foundation plans had to be stamped by an engineer but the rest of it was drawn by a draftsman. My lumber company had someone draw the trusses and floor frame parts based on the floorplans.