All Forum Posts by: Darrell D.

Do it HGTV style...

Roll up your sleeves, renovate, and charge more for rent while getting better tenants... longer lasting tenants.

Every time someone moves out, improve the property.  Over time, you'll be able to raise the rent.

Darrell

I tried to do a google search for "HBP" but I could only find "High Blood Pressure."

Ha Ha, ironic I know.

I've been interested in Tax Liens for a while.  Can you tell me what HBPs are?

Thanks!

The military has transferred me to multiple states.  I'm literally on the opposite side of the country.  Two of my properties have HOAs but my son is helping me manage them.  He's 19 and welcomes just about any challenge that comes to him.  I pay him about half of what a professional would cost because I help with everything.  So for now, those are doing well.

I have another house which is section 8.  The renter has good communication with me but the section 8 program actually performs in-house visits to ensure everything is well.  Not bad!  In fact I want more section 8 homes because it's been so great!  This house is not managed by anyone but I do find myself in that area so I'm able to visit the home occasionally.

I also have a duplex which I purchased at my last assignment.  My coworker and friend is helping me manage it.  I pay a reduced price but I'm also very involved in the process.  With a recent terrible experience, my friend stepped in to clean the mess.  So I was grateful he was there... he performed far beyond what a professional would do. 

At times, I wonder if I am making the wrong decision by not having professional management.  It's also possible to have pay a lot of money and not be satisfied with a management company... so I think I'm doing pretty well.

If I lived within an hour of my house, I would certainly manage it myself.  There's no replacement for self management.

Good Luck! 

Darrell

I've had the Bissell carpet cleaner and it worked pretty well. If the foundation was concrete, I would actually bring a garden hose into house to add more water.  The more water you put down, the more dirt you'll get up.  (I would never attempt this with a wood subfloor.) 

With the extra water, a Bissell cleaner works pretty well.  However I believe a steam cleaner is far better than a DIY job.  I've used Stanley Steamer twice and I now I couldn't duplicate the results.  It seems to be reasonably priced as well.  It also shows professionalism when welcoming new tenants to say the carpets have been cleaned (and sanitized) by steam. 

I totally respect the DIY, but sometimes it's better to pay.

Darrell

Thank you for the warm welcome everyone.   I'm usually the one at my work who teaches everyone else about real estate.   So it's a nice change to be surrounded by others like me.   I'll continue to learn the site.  There's so many discussions here... I feel I could read for days.  :-)

Darrell 

Hello everyone.   

A 20 year military career enabled me to buy homes in various locations.   I've had some good tenets and bad ones but I'm always looking to improve my processes, my homes, and of course my pockets.   :-)

I usually perform my own renovations and snake my own toilets if possible.  Now I'm eager to see what's next.  With one career coming to an end I wonder what opportunities I have.  

I'm now in Virginia but am thinking of retiring in the Columbus Ohio area.

Great site!

Darrell