All Forum Posts by: Tom Harkins

@Sara C. File an insurance claim first. Make sure you and your tenants are transparent with them about the issue, as you have been here. Documentation will help. Your insurance will handle the liability aspect if something was not installed properly. They wield a bigger stick than a customer could on their own. 

@Kenneth Garrett Perfect, thanks for that reference and summary 

Thanks @Stephen Kehoe. My favorite part of that page is where they give contradictory dimensions within a span of 2 sentences. I’ll err on the side of building it too large. >5.7 sf is consistent with what the DPS rep stated.

Has anyone installed an egress window in Montgomery County, MD and could share their experience? I am looking to create a legal bedroom in the basement of a SFH. It will involve opening up the foundation (currently a smaller window installed) and enlarging the window well.

I spoke to a knowledgeable rep at DPS (permitting), but I cannot find the specific requirements stated clearly or concisely on their website. The rep did mention it would be difficult to find that. I will be hiring an engineer to design it (getting their assessment on some additional foundation work as well).

If anyone has had success with this and is willing to share their associated costs privately, that would also be helpful as a baseline. But mainly I am looking for guidance on the design, installation, and inspection process.

@Kali V. If THD hasn't already offered you a rent premium due to the short term lease, ask for that. Also think about what time of year the lease will end, if that's a factor in your area. Otherwise, the application/lease/move-in process should be no different than normal. 

@Cori Thomas “Won’t mind...” As the prospective buyer and the one paying for that inspection, you have every right to attend and ask as many questions as you’d like.

@Christen G. My experience from a major fire loss claim is that after insurance issued payment to me and my mortgage company, the mortgage company then disbursed checks with both myself and my contractor listed as payees.

Have you hired a contractor yet? Mine required a release of information authorization and permission for my mortgage company to disburse funds to them in order to make that happen. The mortgage company in turn required a waiver of lien and W-9 from the contractor, as well as certification of my intent to repair the property.

The mortgage company “inspects” twice- once at approximately 50% and again at completion, to make sure the property is actually being repaired.

Congratulations @Stephen Predmore, really nice job! The before/after photos are striking. 

How do you like Apartments.com for property management? I'm currently using Cozy.co. In hindsight I would have liked more customization of their application, and the standard time for tenants' rent to transfer is a few business days. Minor things really, the auto-pay feature is great.

@Isaac El It may depend on the policy and insurance provider, but my understanding is that in that situation the homeowner can 1. Fix the house up to the estimate number provided by the insurance adjuster, 2. Tear the house down and rebuild it up to that number, or 3. sell the house. #3 gets complicated factoring insurance’s number in, and the house’s mortgage lender assuming there is one, but it should still be an option.  

Those numbers don't seem unreasonable. But why a non-refundable fee rather than additional deposit?