"Tenants and Toilets"

If you are in the "buy and hold" side of the real estate investing business, you know what this means.  Yes,  it happened to us.  These tenants allowed a leak in the bathroom for several months that damaged the house to a level "3" contamination rating.  On this note, it was definitely time to end this "month-to-month" with them.  But before they left they did as much annoying but costly little damage they could just short of defecating in on the property.  They left a burning iron on a wood floor of this house that is 65-years old (the original flooring), left rotting food in the refrigerator, took door knobs, and punched holes in several doors, knocked the spindle out of a brand new staircase railing and took the door of a kitchen cabinet that they had broken 6 months earlier.  I could go on and on as to the other things they did, but why?  The husband even threatened my partner's life. My partner will not go near this vacant property so I have to rehab it on my own.  These tenants left us with their unpaid utility and trash bills as well.  My partner, now, no longer wants to be in this passive income business.

Tenants that don't pay

Horror story #2 for this year.  In our second property in Maplewood, we accepted a veteran and his family.  After accommodating this fair lease with option-to-buy that he and his wife signed off on. He decided to stab me in my back by going to a lawyer (supposedly) and being told that if he didn't want to buy the place he didn't have to pay the option fee. Mind you - he signed a lease.  After 3 months he decides that he doesn't know where he will to be in 2 years and now can't buy the house, plus lies about having cancer.  Then he walks out on his family and stops paying the rent.  In the end it's revealed that the wife has cancer and even has the Angel Network back some part of her rent.  She never got up on the rent and became 4 months behind.  In November, she said that she would receive a settlement that would allow her to keep the commitment to the contract.  The meeting was to be November 20, 2018.  After no response and the meeting not taking place, I became concerned and texted to her that I would call the police to have them go to the property and make sure she was OK.  She then called.  She stated that she had to flee for her life and the safety of her family and fled to Arkansas. She said she would wire the money, but it has not happened. There is a possibility that she may have had a stroke.  So, now, $6500+ dollars of back rent due and no way to claim it.  

I think it would be interesting to start a TV show called "Tenants and toilets" to talk about the bad renters that make the good renters look special.  Through these stories I have learned how spiteful and filthy dirty (lacking cleanliness) people can be.  If they can't have their way, they damage your property. 

Bottom line - even if the background check seems clean always dig deeper, but do your best to stay with in the Landlord/tenant laws of your community and your state.

Two properties for sale!

$175,000.00

Darling 1 1/2 story bungalow style Single Family home is Mounds View, Minnesota.  3+ bedrooms, 1 bath, tiled basement with laundry room,very large fenced in corner lot with detached single car garage. 

Address: 5392 Clifton Drive, Mounds View Minnesota.  Just give me a call for a viewing.  612 819-1932

$145,000.00

Coming very soon!!

End unit Townhouse

2 story - 2 bedroom/1.5 baths with basement area, fenced in patio and detached garage. Should be on the market by December 15, 2018.

Address: 2321 Pond Avenue, Maplewood, Minnesota 55119

Call 612 819-1932 for a viewing.

3-Year Anniversary of Twin Cities Area Properties

In August of 2015, my wonderful life partner and I started Twin Cities Area Properties because we wanted a business of our own that would allow us to do something that would help our fellow military veteran and provide us with an income that could grow and allow us to do some of the many things we've enjoyed in life more often.  We also wanted something that would take less of a toll on his body, as he unloaded planes every night.

We got our education through the "fix and flip" programs that rolled through town that August.  In December of that year we won the bid on our first property.  Use credit cards to fund the business and had closed on the property in January 2016, rehabbed by the end of February, and a tenant in it by February on a lease option to buy for 12 to 24 months. The first year the rent came in on time and the hope of picking another property was high.  That didn't happen until September of 2017.  But we were in the business and things were looking good.  Even we diversified and invested in other developers' projects and "Notes" program. 

It's now 2018 and all dis not going as planned - The tenants in the first property not only stared paying their rent late as the asked for an additional 12 months to hold off on buying, but when they ended up on the "month-to-month" part of their lease, they failed to follow through.  As this is our business and we have financial commitments to meet they were informed that they would have to move. This did not go over well with them.

"Tenants and Toilets"

If you are in the "buy and hold" side of the real estate investing business, you know what this means.  Yes,  it happened to us.  These tenants allow a leak in the bathroom for several months to damage the house to a level "3" contamination rating.  On this note it was different time to end this "month-to-month" with them.  But for they left they did as much annoying but costly little damage they could just short of defecating in on the property.  They left a burning iron on a wood floor of this house that is 65-years old (the original flooring), left rotting food in the refrigerator, took door knobs, and punched holes in several doors, knocked the spindle out of a brand new staircase railing and took the door of a kitchen cabinet that they had broken 6 months earlier.  I could go on and on as to the other things they did, but way?  The husband even threatened my partner's life. My partner will not go near this vacant property so I have to rehab it on my own.  These tenant left us with their unpaid utility and trash bills as well.  My partner, now, no longer wants to be in this passive income business.

COMING SOON!!!!!

Twin Cities Veteran Initiative

Housing purchase support programs.

Life

Well, all seem to be moving forward in a positive direction.  Then, I got sick and did not communicate with my client for a day and lost them.  LESSON - Always find a way to stay in touch with your clients even if you're to sick to make a phone, send an email or a text.  Contact a team member ( if, you're lucky to have one).

The last 2 weeks

I was given a second opportunity to do another open house last weekend for the first property I mentioned in my earlier post.  It went well.  Even the cat enjoyed it. But what made this week great was the referral from a fellow KW realtor in Georgia.  He chose me to help his son and daughter-in-law find a home here in MN.  I am looking forward to making this happen as soon as possible.

I continue to learn more every day and am glad I chose Keller Williams Integrity Edina to start my realtor career.

ADVICE -

Go to your local realtor new member training and shadow an experienced realtor before you do an open house.  This or these individuals will make sure do everything the right way.  i.e.  - accessing ALL the information about property, including checking "Showtime" and not assuming that no one is in the house if you chose to do your due-diligence to make sure you are at the right house and that all keys work. :-)

My FIRST OPEN HOUSE

Today was my first open house and of course, it rained.  I did learn some thing from this event.

1. Even if you want to make sure your supra-key works, always make sure of the time at which you are allowed to enter the premises as there may be an alarm on. Check with "showtime"

2. Even if you plan to get there early so that you can set up your street signs and sign-in materials and refreshments never expert things to go as you would like.  (The humidity was so high in my house that none of my printers would work so that I could print out my sign-up sheet and print my CMA and the property's neighborhood information.  I spent over 35 minutes to finally get a printout.) There and was able to get the signs up and the first 2 groups came through.

When all was done 4 visiting groups came though, and the cat kept going in and out. :-)

 Please think of me for your home buying and selling needs.

If you are ready to achieve success as a real estate salesperson Keller Williams is the place to be  -  especially Keller Williams Realty Integrity Edina.  This brokerage is team focused.  That means the staff trains you supports you in your efforts and rewards you.  Stay turned for more.

 NEW PRAGUE - New price - $295,000.00
Home for sale --  Asking price was: $310,000.00
5 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, 2 car-garage, and a lovely backyard.This home is move-in ready.  Click the link to see more.

 

https://www.trulia.com/p/mn/new-prague/901-3rd-st-ne-new-prague-mn-56071--2102420010

This home is move in ready. Click the Trulia link to see more pictures.

May 4, 2018 - A NEW CHAPTER

As of today, I am officially a licensed real estate agent.  My license will be held by Keller Williams Integrity - Edina.  I am having a GREAT experience with this team for which I am now a part.  Even before my license arrived (today), I was invited to be a part of all the major "new" agent events and training(s).  I am currently reading "The Millionaire Real Estate Agent" - by Gary Keller - one of the founders of Keller Williams.  It gives direction on how to map your path to success.

I was time to make this decision, as I have been around this industry in many other aspects - as an appraiser, a HUD certified "Homestretch" instructor, a real estate investor, and a recruiter of landlords for the "Keys for Heroes" program.

This blog will track my climb to "peace of mind" through helping those find their dream homes and investments.  Please wish me well.

I have set my goals for contacts by calling 38 leads a day.  I was blessed with access to over 13,000 probate leads.  On May 2, I landed my first appointment which was originally scheduled for the next day at 1:30pm.  Unfortunately, the owner had to reschedule, but we are on for May 16, 2018.  Let's turn this in to a listing.