4 months, 3 viewings (by NE [PA]) Feb 8, 2019 10:19 AM
4 months, 3 viewings (by cjl [NY]) Feb 8, 2019 10:24 AM
4 months, 3 viewings (by NE [PA]) Feb 8, 2019 10:27 AM
4 months, 3 viewings (by David [MI]) Feb 8, 2019 10:29 AM
4 months, 3 viewings (by cjl [NY]) Feb 8, 2019 10:34 AM
4 months, 3 viewings (by Tom [FL]) Feb 8, 2019 11:27 AM
4 months, 3 viewings (by NE [PA]) Feb 8, 2019 11:30 AM
4 months, 3 viewings (by David [MI]) Feb 8, 2019 11:36 AM
4 months, 3 viewings (by cjl [NY]) Feb 8, 2019 11:37 AM
4 months, 3 viewings (by NE [PA]) Feb 8, 2019 12:59 PM
4 months, 3 viewings (by Busy [WI]) Feb 8, 2019 1:29 PM
4 months, 3 viewings (by TOM [FL]) Feb 8, 2019 2:01 PM
4 months, 3 viewings (by TOM [FL]) Feb 8, 2019 2:01 PM
4 months, 3 viewings (by Tom [FL]) Feb 8, 2019 2:02 PM
4 months, 3 viewings (by 6x6 [TN]) Feb 8, 2019 2:58 PM
4 months, 3 viewings (by Robert J [CA]) Feb 8, 2019 3:49 PM
4 months, 3 viewings (by David [MI]) Feb 8, 2019 4:03 PM
4 months, 3 viewings (by NE [PA]) Feb 8, 2019 5:27 PM
4 months, 3 viewings (by Busy [WI]) Feb 8, 2019 5:46 PM
4 months, 3 viewings (by Dan [NY]) Feb 8, 2019 5:47 PM
4 months, 3 viewings (by Ken [NY]) Feb 8, 2019 7:43 PM
4 months, 3 viewings (by JB [OR]) Feb 8, 2019 10:22 PM
4 months, 3 viewings (by NE [PA]) Feb 9, 2019 4:46 AM
4 months, 3 viewings (by myob [GA]) Feb 9, 2019 5:17 AM
4 months, 3 viewings (by elliot [RI]) Feb 9, 2019 6:28 AM
4 months, 3 viewings (by Tom [FL]) Feb 9, 2019 8:24 AM
4 months, 3 viewings (by Oregon Woodsmoke [ID]) Feb 9, 2019 8:59 AM
4 months, 3 viewings (by myob [GA]) Feb 9, 2019 11:57 AM
4 months, 3 viewings (by myob [GA]) Feb 9, 2019 12:01 PM
4 months, 3 viewings (by JB [OR]) Feb 9, 2019 2:08 PM
4 months, 3 viewings (by Larry [TX]) Feb 9, 2019 4:27 PM
4 months, 3 viewings (by NE [PA]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 10:19 AM Message:
I have a first that is happening today. I have a prospect of tenant who is viewing a unit for the third time during the four months the property has been vacant. I've never had that before. It's all walk box, so I'm not wasting my time going there with her.
I'm not really sure what to think about that, but I would think it would mean one of two things. Either she can't find anyone who will rent to her or she is a very slow and selective mover who will stay there forever. It may also mean that she's very picky about her unit, but this is not an a class rental by any means.
I think it's a little strange and kind of a red flag but I'm not entirely sure. --174.201.xx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by cjl [NY]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 10:24 AM Message:
Well, she could also be "interested" in your rental but it's not HER first choice and is continuing to look for something but hasn't found it.
Who knows - I wouldn't really even "care" about it until she applies … then you'll know what her story is.
I think maybe the other questions here is why your rental has been vacant for 4 months (or more)? She may be wondering "why is it not being taken? Rent too high? Am I missing something that's "wrong" with the property?
Two sides to each coin :) --69.201.xx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by NE [PA]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 10:27 AM Message:
What isnt wrong with it? Factor in the holidays, the snowstorms, the subzero weather, the paper carpets in the bedroom of the apartment with the uneven floors in a C- building. Equals four months bake it in the winter time. But it cash flows. They don't have to be pretty. --174.201.xx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by David [MI]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 10:29 AM Message:
NE, how does a property cash flow when its vacant for four months (and you're paying heat on top of that) and counting?
Why not drop the rent until you fill it, then raise the rent to market when lease up for renewal?
--199.247.xx.xx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by cjl [NY]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 10:34 AM Message:
HAHA NE … I know! Those weren't questions for you to answer … I was just stating the person may be asking those questions in her head!
So many tenants have asked me "why is this available still" when it's the middle of the winter … ummm … idk most people don't even like to GO outside in the winter let alone LOOK to move!
I had one that I posted for rent and showed it either that same day or the next and the person that I showed it to said "why is this vacant?" I said "because the tenant left." They said "no, I mean why is it still available?" I just looked at them and said "I'm not sure what you mean - I just posted this for rent and I'm showing it today to about 5 different people (or whatever). what are you getting at?"
They just looked at me and said "oh, I thought this was for rent for a few months … I must be thinking of a different apartment."
People are just plan weird now. They look at apartments as though they are purchasing the property and not just renting a place to stay. They expect perfection (which I get to a point) but lets be reasonable about some things. --69.201.xx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by Tom [FL]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 11:27 AM Message:
4 months and 3 viewings???
Did the prospective tenant have a pulse?
Did the prospective tenant have ALL their belongings in the CAR???
In 4 months maybe you are the 4th landlord they would be renting from.
Let's say two of the 4 months was the holidays ands snow to the roof top and subzero temps reasons WHY tenants are not moving.
Since the unit cash flows maybe the carpet is a turn-off, maybe the location is a turn off, or maybe they think since its been on the market for "4" months you will cut the rent by 50% and do a 99 cent security deposit because its Valentines Day in 6 days and you LOVE to give a great deal to THE BEST TENANT IN THE WORLD!!!
OK that was easy!!!
OR the tenant looks like they walk in from "Deliverance".
OR the house looks like it was from "DELIVERANCE".
OK so its a CLASS X or NO CLASS AREA!!!
Cash flow is great but does it show well???
Does the house look worn?
Does the house look like ???
OK NE of PA post the house in pictures and let us walk all over it I mean let us do a tour of it and give you feed back.
OR re-write your ad!!! House is very private, no neighbors, great meth lab location.
WELL!!! Wait for it!!!
OR DUMP FOR RENT!!! Great opportunity to put your own stamp on it and your creative decorating skills can make this home your own. HOWEVER, NO SMOKING! NO LOUD MUSIC! AND NO PAINITNG PERMITTED!!! AND NO DEADBEATS permitted.
WOW that was easy!!!
cjl of NY, yes your prospect was from the twilight zone...
Not SOOO sure I solved you problem of a vacancy...
OH cjl your reply should have been why is it taking YOU MR PROSPECT so long to find a place. Where are the skeltons hidden in your rental history??? OH sorry did I upset you I was NOT PC so why has it taken you sooo long to find a unit. HOW many evictions have you created MR PROSPECT???
I bet this prospect would had a deer in the headlights if you would have asked those questions.
--99.56.xx.xx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by NE [PA]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 11:30 AM Message:
Feel free to check it out. Under ZIP Code 18618 on Zillow. $550 a month. --174.201.xx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by David [MI]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 11:36 AM Message:
Drop to $400 a month, whatever it takes to rent. Then raise to market during summer --166.137.xx.xx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by cjl [NY]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 11:37 AM Message:
That doesn't look too bad. Here's an idea though … drop the camera angle … get a different perspective on that apartment.
I know it doesn't seem like a big deal but sometimes that makes a HUGE difference. --69.201.xx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by NE [PA]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 12:59 PM Message:
Extended vacancies aren't abnormal for me, even with top notch unit. This unit was rented for $610 for several years before it came vacant and comps are higher. I started around $650 at relisting, but it's just one of those things.
I will certainly continue to drop it as I have. I even raised it once, nothing. Had the $99 move in special, nothing.
I've only had 1 app on it.
Anyway, I still think the current prospects multiple views are strange. --50.107.xxx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by Busy [WI]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 1:29 PM Message:
Multiple personality disorder, and each personality forgot to tell the others she already saw it?
Did the handrail on the open side of stairs get put in yet? That would put most people off. Maybe a new picture, showing the railings...or, take the picture of stairs without side railing out of pics. But, I think you need a railing.
My own house is missing the railing on the one side going down to the basement. Taken out because what was there was unsafe,just haven't gotten around to putting in back in. Our family thinks nothing of it now, but any visitors are hugging the wall with the handrail. We'll definitely have to replace before we would ever sell, house won't qualify for mortgage with an open side to the stairs.
Nice colors, like how you opened up kitchen with the keyhole doorway. --70.92.xxx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by TOM [FL]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 2:01 PM Message:
NE of PA, Very nicely done the gray tone, EXCELLENT look and WELL DONE. KUDOS!!!
Just a Few thoughts.
Your unit $550mth 700 SF = .79 cents per square foot.
Another Monroe Twp $1700 2000sf = .85 cents per square foot
In comparison to the other monroe twp unit rent should be $595 per month a difference of 45 per month and per year $540.
Harvey Lake area, not sure how Harvey Lake compares to your units area of Monroe Twp???
$1,800mth 1200sf = 1.50 per square foot
1200mth 900sf = 1.33
A few thoughts:
The rent is 550 x 3 = 1650 per month x 12 months = $19,800 our year. Prospective Tenant should make at least $10.31 per hour.
Consider installing window blinds and a blind for the door. Install the better 2” faux wood blind in white is $50 for argument sake that’s $350 for 7 windows including door. However, I don’t think you will pay $50 per window. Since I don’t know the sizes of all the windows???
Install a high neck faucet for the kitchen sink.
There is different floor covering in the kitchen, living room, dining room, stairs, and 2 bedrooms and bathroom. especially on the stairs and bedrooms are carpeted. All different surfaces and color.
WHAT IF you installed the 1.3 mm apple cider hickory Click Vinyl Fooring at .49 cent per square foot at your near by Wilkes Barre lumber liquidators?
Now the 1.3mm may not be the best wearing compared to a 3 or 4 mm. HOWEVER after the tenant moves replace it with a better click floor or do something different at that point. FOR the price of .49 cent per SQUARE FOOT $343 plus some waste added. I bet for $500 you could replace the floor with the same flooring in the entire unit bathroom, bedrooms, hall, stairs, kitchen, living room, dining room. Now the stairs will take time but talk to the staff at lumber liquidators and you can do the stairs in the same material with adhesive. It would make a really nice flooring and change the look of the unit.
However if you did it again after the next tenant moved then the cost would be now you could push it to a 3 mm for 1.39 a square foot. It would be $973 to replace the flooring with a 3mm flooring.. Plus cost of padding.
I would at least try the cheaper flooring at .49 per square foot.
You have had the unit vacant for 4 months it may be worth it to redo the FLOORING, add 2” faux wood blinds to the unit AND add a high neck faucet. Then put the unit on the market for 599. and market it on zillow, also fliers to employers in the area with a new full color pictures of the unit.
Your walls look extremely nice and the present flooring is nice BUT try to take it over the top and make it all one flooring and use padding under the flooring as well. The lumber liquidator flooring 10 miles from the unit may be what is needed.
I know this will be a major step outside your comfort zone and plus its money spent but this may be the needed change to make it rent for more and get a good tenant as well. Try the $610 or more once you did the improvements and the stairs you can add railing that can be removed when tenant moves into the unit. And if you wanted to take out the key wall completely with a support beam that would be ok but not needed only since you are going to replace the floor would I consider taking out the wall and open it up.
.49 cent per square foot is worth a try, it may not wear well but it will look good.
Paint the exterior of the entry door in a navy or a charcoal color as well.
ALSO in your lease put the costs replacement for the window blinds, flooring damage and faucet damage as well plus other damages too.
Best of Success NE!!! STEP OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE!!! I understand its hard to do it but it may be worth it!!!
NOTE: The Presidents Day sales are going on now so you may get a better deal on the flooring at this time. Since the market is slow now is the time to UPGRADE the unit. Take a trip to lumber liquidators and check out the flooring pick the guys brain as well. If anything it may be an amusing trip. Plus you may decide to purchase flooring for the entire unit. Plus you can teach your oldest how to install flooring. That may be fun as well. SO what if he or she is only 5 years old. It's a great learning experience plus they will like helping you. PLUS the existing lino can stay and you may have to feather out the thickness of the floor to the old flooring in the area of the bathroom to the hall. Take your time and it will make a major difference to your unit.
Remember the tenant is on a slim budget so adding the blinds my be a major help to a low budget tenant. --99.56.xx.xx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by TOM [FL]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 2:01 PM Message:
NE of PA, Very nicely done the gray tone, EXCELLENT look and WELL DONE. KUDOS!!!
Just a Few thoughts.
Your unit $550mth 700 SF = .79 cents per square foot.
Another Monroe Twp $1700 2000sf = .85 cents per square foot
In comparison to the other monroe twp unit rent should be $595 per month a difference of 45 per month and per year $540.
Harvey Lake area, not sure how Harvey Lake compares to your units area of Monroe Twp???
$1,800mth 1200sf = 1.50 per square foot
1200mth 900sf = 1.33
A few thoughts:
The rent is 550 x 3 = 1650 per month x 12 months = $19,800 our year. Prospective Tenant should make at least $10.31 per hour.
Consider installing window blinds and a blind for the door. Install the better 2” faux wood blind in white is $50 for argument sake that’s $350 for 7 windows including door. However, I don’t think you will pay $50 per window. Since I don’t know the sizes of all the windows???
Install a high neck faucet for the kitchen sink.
There is different floor covering in the kitchen, living room, dining room, stairs, and 2 bedrooms and bathroom. especially on the stairs and bedrooms are carpeted. All different surfaces and color.
WHAT IF you installed the 1.3 mm apple cider hickory Click Vinyl Fooring at .49 cent per square foot at your near by Wilkes Barre lumber liquidators?
Now the 1.3mm may not be the best wearing compared to a 3 or 4 mm. HOWEVER after the tenant moves replace it with a better click floor or do something different at that point. FOR the price of .49 cent per SQUARE FOOT $343 plus some waste added. I bet for $500 you could replace the floor with the same flooring in the entire unit bathroom, bedrooms, hall, stairs, kitchen, living room, dining room. Now the stairs will take time but talk to the staff at lumber liquidators and you can do the stairs in the same material with adhesive. It would make a really nice flooring and change the look of the unit.
However if you did it again after the next tenant moved then the cost would be now you could push it to a 3 mm for 1.39 a square foot. It would be $973 to replace the flooring with a 3mm flooring.. Plus cost of padding.
I would at least try the cheaper flooring at .49 per square foot.
You have had the unit vacant for 4 months it may be worth it to redo the FLOORING, add 2” faux wood blinds to the unit AND add a high neck faucet. Then put the unit on the market for 599. and market it on zillow, also fliers to employers in the area with a new full color pictures of the unit.
Your walls look extremely nice and the present flooring is nice BUT try to take it over the top and make it all one flooring and use padding under the flooring as well. The lumber liquidator flooring 10 miles from the unit may be what is needed.
I know this will be a major step outside your comfort zone and plus its money spent but this may be the needed change to make it rent for more and get a good tenant as well. Try the $610 or more once you did the improvements and the stairs you can add railing that can be removed when tenant moves into the unit. And if you wanted to take out the key wall completely with a support beam that would be ok but not needed only since you are going to replace the floor would I consider taking out the wall and open it up.
.49 cent per square foot is worth a try, it may not wear well but it will look good.
Paint the exterior of the entry door in a navy or a charcoal color as well.
ALSO in your lease put the costs replacement for the window blinds, flooring damage and faucet damage as well plus other damages too.
Best of Success NE!!! STEP OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE!!! I understand its hard to do it but it may be worth it!!!
NOTE: The Presidents Day sales are going on now so you may get a better deal on the flooring at this time. Since the market is slow now is the time to UPGRADE the unit. Take a trip to lumber liquidators and check out the flooring pick the guys brain as well. If anything it may be an amusing trip. Plus you may decide to purchase flooring for the entire unit. Plus you can teach your oldest how to install flooring. That may be fun as well. SO what if he or she is only 5 years old. It's a great learning experience plus they will like helping you. PLUS the existing lino can stay and you may have to feather out the thickness of the floor to the old flooring in the area of the bathroom to the hall. Take your time and it will make a major difference to your unit.
Remember the tenant is on a slim budget so adding the blinds my be a major help to a low budget tenant. --99.56.xx.xx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by Tom [FL]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 2:02 PM Message:
DANG, sorry for the double click. --99.56.xx.xx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by 6x6 [TN]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 2:58 PM Message:
I thought my rental was going slow.
Does your insurance not require railing for the stairs?
Not a bad looking apartment.
See if you can get her to fill out an application and see what she is up to.
--73.120.xx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by Robert J [CA]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 3:49 PM Message:
I had a unit that I couldn't rent. It was the dead of winter. So I "played the game".
First I upgraded the unit to show it's best. New appliances, some staging and pre-heated up the unit before showings.
Then when my caller came to see the unit, I had some local "friends" show up and say, "Is this unit taken yet? I want to fill out an application".
The person that came to see the unit would get crazy and say, "I was here first and I want the unit". Then that person would take the unit in fear of loosing it. --47.156.xx.xx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by David [MI]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 4:03 PM Message:
You can try all kinds of tricks, but if this is a unit you've had no problem renting before, its simply a matter of it being winter slow season. So just as small number of contractors mean they can charge high prices, so too does a small number of renters mean you need to lower the rent. But thankfully, you can increase the rent
Why get negative rent for 4 months ?? --50.4.xxx.x |
4 months, 3 viewings (by NE [PA]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 5:27 PM Message:
There are blinds in the unit now. I'm not doing anything else to it this turnover.
We got a little sidetracked with the thread, but that's ok. I'll pay close attention if she applies. --50.107.xxx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by Busy [WI]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 5:46 PM Message:
She was checking back to see if you finished some things. --70.92.xxx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by Dan [NY]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 5:47 PM Message:
The rents in your area are crazy low and it’s sitting. On Long Island a one bedroom basement will rent for $1,500. Are the incomes in the are low? How is the job market? --68.192.xxx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by Ken [NY]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 7:43 PM Message:
Have you tried advertising for rent on facebook? --72.231.xxx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by JB [OR]) Posted on: Feb 8, 2019 10:22 PM Message:
My guess is that by showing so much interest (three different viewings) she will get you curious about her. Then you might contact her and allow her to meet you personally so she can tell you "her story." She thinks that she may be able to convince you to rent to her if she can talk to you in person, but is having trouble getting past your lock box showings... --24.20.xxx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by NE [PA]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2019 4:46 AM Message:
No Ken, I don't have Facebook. --50.107.xxx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by myob [GA]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2019 5:17 AM Message:
Tom FL-- Gee's are you writing a book or giving advice?
NE I would not be showing this place to her or any others from previous showings. They think since its been on the market they have you right where they want you. They try to make you out for some fool or something.
Sometimes they trick you and say how long this been on the market? Our answer is we had it rented but the people couldn't come up with the money so we put it back on the market. We tried to work with them but it didn't work out. Say NO more than that.
First I would take it off the market for a few days-- regroup- get that 550 price off there-- 550 draws no interest. Get it to 565 or 567 - that gets your attention. Deposit is 400. - Of course that's what's in the ad-- but for those with great credit (so your deposit floats) Redo you ad freshen up the place-- repaint the door Mauve color. --99.103.xxx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by elliot [RI]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2019 6:28 AM Message:
For $550, it looks fantastic.. The only thing to upgrade is your phone. Why are the pictures so grainy? seriously!
The railing is on the wall side, the ceiling looked low when the pictures is taken above your height.
If it is a safe area, I don't mind living there if I were single/retired.
The date on the picture would be a giveaway how long it has been vacant.. any advantage of having that in the ad? --71.232.xxx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by Tom [FL]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2019 8:24 AM Message:
OK MYOB of GA, maybe a little of both I'm working on it.
It's a dump in the middle of nowhere.
Therefore make it section 8 charge $1,000 per month.
Change the ad EL Dumpo for rent furnished. The place is small enough to furnish it. Make it a corporate lease, oh thats right it's in the middle of nowhere, never mind. GO for section 8!!! FURNISHED.
It's time to get some new furniture at your house, so move the old stuff to the rental. And write the entire purchase off. THEN rent to section 8, and in ad include meth labs are OK!!!
Rent $1,000 a month and 10% of the sales as well.
HEY gotta make money and talk about a CASH COW!!!
That was easy!!!
OK Myob of GA I shorten it. That was easy!!! --99.56.xx.xx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by Oregon Woodsmoke [ID]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2019 8:59 AM Message:
Vacant four months, three viewings.... Has she come once a month to view, or has the unit been vacant four months and she has looked three times in the previous week.
If she has looked three times just recently, I don't see a problem with tenants shopping carefully so they know my place is the best they can do for the money.
If she applies, just screen vary carefully so you don't end up with a tenant that other landlords are rejecting. --98.146.xxx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by myob [GA]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2019 11:57 AM Message:
Tom so it's considered a "short story" as opposed to full blown novel? Loveya man!!!! --99.103.xxx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by myob [GA]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2019 12:01 PM Message:
NE according to TOM you have crappy ads and pics?
Would suggest this: One GOOD pic from the front. Why would anyone go to see your place when they can see the whole thing on line-- sometimes to much should be to little. --99.103.xxx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by JB [OR]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2019 2:08 PM Message:
It looks like a cute place. Is that electric baseboard heat in there? That would certainly scare me in the wintertime. --24.20.xxx.xxx |
4 months, 3 viewings (by Larry [TX]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2019 4:27 PM Message:
Pretty nice little place for the money. If I were you I would take that black and red carpet out and either put in a different type of flooring or make the carpet all one neutral color. That’s the only thing that would stop me from renting the place l think the rent is too cheap, you need to raise it several hundred. Also, I would fix that stair railing . That’s a law suit waiting to happen. --73.166.xxx.xxx |
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