I had a first today. Well, maybe it is a second. Not very often do I pursue damages in small claims court after a tenant moves out and the rent owed and damages is more than the security deposit. First of all, most of my tenants are on a fixed income, SSI, Disability or has a very low income. "You cant suck blood out of a turnip" is what I was told by other landlords when I first started in this hobby. The cost of filing this type of claim isnt worth it. If I feel someone is of the character that they will someday down the line, get a good paying job or they might be wanting to take out a loan, I will go to court. (note here; defendants never appear to contest) In 20 years I probably have done this less than 10 times. Once a lady called and wanted to pay me back in installments each month because her bank wouldn't let her get a car loan. Of course I said. Never heard from her again. Couple other times I received full payment and usually it amounted to being under $200.
Today I get a call from someone I rented to over 10 yrs ago. Let's call him Gary. Gary got his life back on track and is now trying to get a loan but has to take care of a few debts first.
Would I be willing to take less than he owes? We went back and forth and I agreed to 200 less.
That 700 will come in handy tomorrow when I have to pay for the $800 repairs on my Jeep!!!!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Drama house minus one
Pam is gone...she has moved out of the Drama house. The other tenants had a going away dinner/party for her. Little did she know it was more of a celebration than anything.
No more constant phone calls to let me know about how much money her conservator was allowing her that week. The updates of her meth addict son or the mother of his baby's in and out of jail news updates. From now on I will have to go to bed at night wondering how many men hit on her as she sat on the front stoop of the building drinking beer out of a coffee mug.
No longer will she be there to hit on my husband when he stops by the building for any repairs. Who will she call with the little stories of the harrassment she got from the locals about not wearing a bra? I doubt my son will miss her standing on the sidewalk watching him as he mows the large lot.
I am wondering how long before her new landlord will tire of her requests for help in reading her legal papers, filling out an insurance application, or that the temp in her apartment needs to be changed to accommodate her hot flashes.
No, I will not miss her. Hopefully she has me off her friends list and no longer on speed dial.
Only time will tell.
No more constant phone calls to let me know about how much money her conservator was allowing her that week. The updates of her meth addict son or the mother of his baby's in and out of jail news updates. From now on I will have to go to bed at night wondering how many men hit on her as she sat on the front stoop of the building drinking beer out of a coffee mug.
No longer will she be there to hit on my husband when he stops by the building for any repairs. Who will she call with the little stories of the harrassment she got from the locals about not wearing a bra? I doubt my son will miss her standing on the sidewalk watching him as he mows the large lot.
I am wondering how long before her new landlord will tire of her requests for help in reading her legal papers, filling out an insurance application, or that the temp in her apartment needs to be changed to accommodate her hot flashes.
No, I will not miss her. Hopefully she has me off her friends list and no longer on speed dial.
Only time will tell.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Such a whiner
Seems I only talk about the tenants that are 'bad'. Or the situations that are 'bad'. I have 53 tenants and of those, all but 3 or 4 are good tenants. Sure some drive me batty but they pay their rent, keep their apt clean...police dont get called over once a month.
Well, I whine about the 'bad' ones cause I get so upset and so frustrated and so ANGRY that I just have to.
Ok, so I dont rent to professionals or middle class people. And I have accepted the fact that the type that apply for my apartments will be less experienced, know little about responsibility and have their priorities all messed up.
I try to explain to them when they move in about budgeting and planning ahead for bills- Not wait for a certain paycheck and than to spend it all on one bill. That advice usually goes right over their heads.
If they are putting me off all month withot paying, again I try to get through to them. I use the example of them not paying is the same as if they would not get a paycheck week after week. It is very doubtful that they would put up with excuses from their employer.They would not tolerate it.
I havent gotten my 'paycheck' from a new tenant for four weeks now. Yeah I let it go on too long. She has run out of excuses.
She doesnt know that but, I do.
Well, I whine about the 'bad' ones cause I get so upset and so frustrated and so ANGRY that I just have to.
Ok, so I dont rent to professionals or middle class people. And I have accepted the fact that the type that apply for my apartments will be less experienced, know little about responsibility and have their priorities all messed up.
I try to explain to them when they move in about budgeting and planning ahead for bills- Not wait for a certain paycheck and than to spend it all on one bill. That advice usually goes right over their heads.
If they are putting me off all month withot paying, again I try to get through to them. I use the example of them not paying is the same as if they would not get a paycheck week after week. It is very doubtful that they would put up with excuses from their employer.They would not tolerate it.
I havent gotten my 'paycheck' from a new tenant for four weeks now. Yeah I let it go on too long. She has run out of excuses.
She doesnt know that but, I do.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Hmmmph
Showed my 2 bedroom today to a young couple. Clean, tats, some piercings, tri colored hair--he had a mohawk. They walk around, the guy goes "I bet you have a hard time renting this out"
I said,"Why?"
He goes, "Well, look at it"
(grrrrrr)under my breath
She liked it. As they were leaving she said they would give me a call if they couldn't find anything else.
I said,"Dont bother".
"Why?"
"Well, look at you"
I said,"Why?"
He goes, "Well, look at it"
(grrrrrr)under my breath
She liked it. As they were leaving she said they would give me a call if they couldn't find anything else.
I said,"Dont bother".
"Why?"
"Well, look at you"
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Like a rock
Made the rounds last night to different properties and dumpsters in the old truck. Seems anyone and everyone thinks it is ok to dump their junk for free alongside a dumpster. Than the city sends us a citation so now we have to spend time and money to haul it away. Doesn't seem right but we do what we gotta do.
I got to thinking about all the trucks we have had over the years. We don't go for new or fancy or expensive. Practical, affordable is our middle name. And besides, we never had to worry about it getting all scratched up or dented.
The first one we purchased was from a farmer way down in Dysart. He had the Ford parked out in the middle of his dairy pasture with hay piled high for the cows. I think we paid a hundred bucks for it. Big ol stick shift right up out of the floor. In time we could see the road below us around that stick shifter. And oh to find the gears! Around and around one had to work that stick to get it in first second or third. Reverse was pretty easy. My poor father in law had too many bad experiences with this truck. Brakes failing, flat tires etc.
Eventually we sold the thing to the guy who worked the scale at the landfill.
Next one we had was an old brown Ford again. This one was cool. It came with a topper. Cool for the kids because they loved to ride in the back all hidden away. This is the one we used for mowing. Loaded up four mowers in the back and five of us up front. My son would sit on my lap and the girls would squeeze in between me and my husband. Three on the tree. Eventually we took the topper off because it was hard to load it up with 'stuff' from the properties. We sold that one to a junkman that made his way around town. I refused to drive it any more because it was getting so sensitive. I would 'lose' the gear. My husband was the only one confident enough to attempt it.
Next one was a Chevy. And we paid 1500 for it. That's a lot of money! Husband bought it from a co-worker. It is the one we still have today. It is an automatic so the kids could drive it around on their own to mow lawns. When my son got his license and there was no junk car to hand down to him to use, the truck was next on the list. He decided to pimp it up by taking the dash cover off and plans to replace it with a new one. Well, like many of his ideas..this one did not go very far. He never put the cover back on so we drive it around today with all the 'guts' exposed.
Ya have to pump the heck out of the gas before you turn the key. And when you do get it running, you have to really ride that gas pedal. Reve it up so to speak. Have to do that a few times before it will stay running. In the winter it takes that and a prayer or two and some other colorful language to get it started. The gas tank cover hangs open on one hinge, the tail gate needs to be opened with a big ol screwdriver, there is no radio or AC. In all the years we have had this honey, we have had the oil changed twice and had one major tune up done to it. It has hauled furniture when the kids moved in and out and back in and out again. I cant count the number of trips it made to the dump. I have loaded more dirt sand and stone on it for my yard not to mention mowers and lawn equipment. She aint pretty but she has been around a long time.
Maybe our next one will be a shiny one
I got to thinking about all the trucks we have had over the years. We don't go for new or fancy or expensive. Practical, affordable is our middle name. And besides, we never had to worry about it getting all scratched up or dented.
The first one we purchased was from a farmer way down in Dysart. He had the Ford parked out in the middle of his dairy pasture with hay piled high for the cows. I think we paid a hundred bucks for it. Big ol stick shift right up out of the floor. In time we could see the road below us around that stick shifter. And oh to find the gears! Around and around one had to work that stick to get it in first second or third. Reverse was pretty easy. My poor father in law had too many bad experiences with this truck. Brakes failing, flat tires etc.
Eventually we sold the thing to the guy who worked the scale at the landfill.
Next one we had was an old brown Ford again. This one was cool. It came with a topper. Cool for the kids because they loved to ride in the back all hidden away. This is the one we used for mowing. Loaded up four mowers in the back and five of us up front. My son would sit on my lap and the girls would squeeze in between me and my husband. Three on the tree. Eventually we took the topper off because it was hard to load it up with 'stuff' from the properties. We sold that one to a junkman that made his way around town. I refused to drive it any more because it was getting so sensitive. I would 'lose' the gear. My husband was the only one confident enough to attempt it.
Next one was a Chevy. And we paid 1500 for it. That's a lot of money! Husband bought it from a co-worker. It is the one we still have today. It is an automatic so the kids could drive it around on their own to mow lawns. When my son got his license and there was no junk car to hand down to him to use, the truck was next on the list. He decided to pimp it up by taking the dash cover off and plans to replace it with a new one. Well, like many of his ideas..this one did not go very far. He never put the cover back on so we drive it around today with all the 'guts' exposed.
Ya have to pump the heck out of the gas before you turn the key. And when you do get it running, you have to really ride that gas pedal. Reve it up so to speak. Have to do that a few times before it will stay running. In the winter it takes that and a prayer or two and some other colorful language to get it started. The gas tank cover hangs open on one hinge, the tail gate needs to be opened with a big ol screwdriver, there is no radio or AC. In all the years we have had this honey, we have had the oil changed twice and had one major tune up done to it. It has hauled furniture when the kids moved in and out and back in and out again. I cant count the number of trips it made to the dump. I have loaded more dirt sand and stone on it for my yard not to mention mowers and lawn equipment. She aint pretty but she has been around a long time.
Maybe our next one will be a shiny one
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Hardworkers all around
My inlaws were here for the weekend. They came for my daughter's wedding shower. My husband and I and they were sitting around the table reminiscing. Talking about the days back when my father and mother in law and even my husband's grandma would come for an entire weekend, sometimes a whole week to help us out at the properties.
Oh the memories. Taking down an 80+ cottonwood tree, a 20
foot chiminey, loading junk on the old crappy truck lookin like the Hillbillies moving to Hollywood. Breaking up cement sidewalks, building porches, stairs; drywalling, painting, stripping woodwork, laying floors. There were days it was so hot we couldnt stand being around each other. Other days it was wet and cold. Some of my best memories of them is sitting together in the old brown truck, driving off somewhere to unload or load.
Poor Bernie! All the troubles he had with our old trucks; loss of brakes on the highway, breaking down on the highway, flat tires, shot alternator.
Love you Bernie.
There is no way we would have been able to get this far with our properties without their help. Such unconditional dedication they gave us. I wondered, how old were they when we were going so hard and heavy back than? Turns out they were the age we are now. How the heck were they able to do that? My husband and I for years now have struggled with this work. Course, he is doing physical work all day at his job, than comes home and works at the houses and of course all weekend. The body wears down lots faster that way I guess.
Love my inlaws and appreciate all that they have done for us and continue to do for us and our kids. Hope they are around a long time.
Oh the memories. Taking down an 80+ cottonwood tree, a 20
foot chiminey, loading junk on the old crappy truck lookin like the Hillbillies moving to Hollywood. Breaking up cement sidewalks, building porches, stairs; drywalling, painting, stripping woodwork, laying floors. There were days it was so hot we couldnt stand being around each other. Other days it was wet and cold. Some of my best memories of them is sitting together in the old brown truck, driving off somewhere to unload or load.
Poor Bernie! All the troubles he had with our old trucks; loss of brakes on the highway, breaking down on the highway, flat tires, shot alternator.
Love you Bernie.
There is no way we would have been able to get this far with our properties without their help. Such unconditional dedication they gave us. I wondered, how old were they when we were going so hard and heavy back than? Turns out they were the age we are now. How the heck were they able to do that? My husband and I for years now have struggled with this work. Course, he is doing physical work all day at his job, than comes home and works at the houses and of course all weekend. The body wears down lots faster that way I guess.
Love my inlaws and appreciate all that they have done for us and continue to do for us and our kids. Hope they are around a long time.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
On the Safe Side
One gets comfortable after awhile and probably doenst take the care and precautions we should. The areas most of my rentals are located are not exactly the best to be alone in the evenings. But over the years I have gotten 'used' to running here or there when needed after dark. I probably should not have money in the car with me as most of the areas know my vehicle by now. When I am around quite a bit the beginning of the month it's a good indication I might have money. And maybe when I drive out to two properties that are right in the hood, so to speak, I should go around the drug dealing house. The house where at least 10 male youth stand around 24/7 waiting for business. But like I said, one gets comfortable after awhile.
I don't take lip anymore either. I have said I am not a bitch but I can be when I am pushed to the limits. My son is a big guy and he has to take lip all the time. Smaller men like to pump up their chest and get lippy with him. I guess I had similiar experiences growing up too. The other night he was pushed a bit too far and he reacted. Not a wise thing when it is four against one. Even if the one is 6'10" and over 250lbs.
So, I hate it when tenants or anyone associated with any of my tenants tell me I am disrespecting them. Why is it when I remain calm and collected they accuse me of not caring. And yet when I get a little attitude in my voice (attitude but never raised), I am being 'all that'. This is coming from those that breathe with an attitude.
Damned if I do, damned if I don't.
Just a couple of nights ago I took this young gal to court. It has been a year of constant battles with her to get her rent. And she makes little effort to inform me of her situation or contact me. It is hard when I have no way of talking to many of these people. They are very low income so they don't always have a phone and I can drive out to their place numerous times and leave notes but that doesn't mean they will try and contact me.
So, with this gal, I had had enough of it and filed against her. She gets legal aide involved but not until the day before the hearing. We made an agreement that if all May and June rent was paid by the end of June 1st she could stay. I spent two hours after 9:30 pm sitting in my car waiting for a boyfriend to show up with the money. And by the time he showed up, I was very tired and irritated.
Guess who had the attitude?
I don't take lip anymore either. I have said I am not a bitch but I can be when I am pushed to the limits. My son is a big guy and he has to take lip all the time. Smaller men like to pump up their chest and get lippy with him. I guess I had similiar experiences growing up too. The other night he was pushed a bit too far and he reacted. Not a wise thing when it is four against one. Even if the one is 6'10" and over 250lbs.
So, I hate it when tenants or anyone associated with any of my tenants tell me I am disrespecting them. Why is it when I remain calm and collected they accuse me of not caring. And yet when I get a little attitude in my voice (attitude but never raised), I am being 'all that'. This is coming from those that breathe with an attitude.
Damned if I do, damned if I don't.
Just a couple of nights ago I took this young gal to court. It has been a year of constant battles with her to get her rent. And she makes little effort to inform me of her situation or contact me. It is hard when I have no way of talking to many of these people. They are very low income so they don't always have a phone and I can drive out to their place numerous times and leave notes but that doesn't mean they will try and contact me.
So, with this gal, I had had enough of it and filed against her. She gets legal aide involved but not until the day before the hearing. We made an agreement that if all May and June rent was paid by the end of June 1st she could stay. I spent two hours after 9:30 pm sitting in my car waiting for a boyfriend to show up with the money. And by the time he showed up, I was very tired and irritated.
Guess who had the attitude?
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Questioning
I found it very disheartening...almost disturbing after cleaning this last apt. Living in it was a gal, a bit older than my 26 yr old daughter, works in the same place but each has such a totally different life. How does one get up each day to such a filthy messy unkempt life and not be bothered by it? How does one take a shower in such grime and feel 'clean' after? Come home each night and work all week to what? An abusive-lazy-good for nothing-take all the money I make, boyfriend. Than sit around and smoke and have some beers and watch tv and discuss what? Develop what? expand on what? no hobbies, no interests, any goals? How can the world survive if this is the future? I am saddened and scared. Too many children are being raised in an environment of no pride in where they live or how they take care of themselves. Many are not taught HOW to take care of themselves, respect themselves let alone respect others.
I have my garden, my photography. I keep up my house, my yard, keep creative with projects. I teach my kids to clean, cook, sew...love themselves and others. Patience and compassion-respect and honor...More of this needed. Not money, not hand outs nor sympathy but encouragement and a hand to teach.
I want it to be different for my tenants. I help them, I give them chances...but too often it doesn't matter. They don't seem to want it. And that is sad.
I have my garden, my photography. I keep up my house, my yard, keep creative with projects. I teach my kids to clean, cook, sew...love themselves and others. Patience and compassion-respect and honor...More of this needed. Not money, not hand outs nor sympathy but encouragement and a hand to teach.
I want it to be different for my tenants. I help them, I give them chances...but too often it doesn't matter. They don't seem to want it. And that is sad.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Long ago
Tonight I worked cleaning in one terribly filthy apartment. My 26 yr old daughter was there helping. As she scrubbed the oven and stove I didnt hear the "oh Gross! Oh ewww how am I supposed to clean this?" coming from her. I remember not too long ago when the kids were very young, and came with my husband and I when we worked on the apts. Most often they did not enjoy the dirty work. My youngest loved to scrub floors but that is because he wanted to play in the water bucket. Or when he got to use power tools, no bribing was required. The girls seemed to enjoy painting cause they made designs on the walls--goofy girls. At their very youngest, each had their own mower or would take turns and every week we all piled into the front of the brown 'crappy' truck as they called it. Austin had to sit on my lap, the girls squeezed in between Creig and I. They would get paid at the end of the evening with their choice of ice cream cone at the 4
Queens Dairy. Bubble gum swirl if I remember correctly was usually the choice.
Sigh...now they are grown and dont work with us as much. In fact, my husband and I dont even work together much. Tonight I was at one apartment cleaning and across the parking lot at another one of our complexes, he was by himself working on the plumbing in the bathroom. I stopped over on my way home and sat there on a five gallon bucket as he took apart a medicine cabinet for the parts so he could fix the one already hanging. That's my man, practical and making use of what he has.
This used to be such a passion of ours. The excitement of fixing a unit up, what we could all do with it, were always at the top of our conversations. We have slowed down, and struggle now just to muster up the energy to do it over and over with each apartment as it empties.
I miss the whining of the kids, the teaching them, the fire in my husband as he comes up with great ideas to redo a unit- Friday date nights at the lumberyard or the drive around the neighborhoods looking for our next conquest.
Seems so long ago....
Queens Dairy. Bubble gum swirl if I remember correctly was usually the choice.
Sigh...now they are grown and dont work with us as much. In fact, my husband and I dont even work together much. Tonight I was at one apartment cleaning and across the parking lot at another one of our complexes, he was by himself working on the plumbing in the bathroom. I stopped over on my way home and sat there on a five gallon bucket as he took apart a medicine cabinet for the parts so he could fix the one already hanging. That's my man, practical and making use of what he has.
This used to be such a passion of ours. The excitement of fixing a unit up, what we could all do with it, were always at the top of our conversations. We have slowed down, and struggle now just to muster up the energy to do it over and over with each apartment as it empties.
I miss the whining of the kids, the teaching them, the fire in my husband as he comes up with great ideas to redo a unit- Friday date nights at the lumberyard or the drive around the neighborhoods looking for our next conquest.
Seems so long ago....
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Last Thing
Really the last thing I should be doing is writing here. I tell ya, when it rains it pours. I put so many things on hold or did them half way to get by until this porch sale I had was finally over. The basement here and two rooms upstairs, the basement at the apartment-FULL of stuff collected to be sold. Four years worth. WEll I finally committed to two days to have a sale. But it took two WEEKS to get it all ready. That was last weekend. Unfortunately it rained both days. I still had good traffic and what didnt sell went to Goodwill.
I thought once the sale was over I could get caught up on the rentals or the planning of Angie's wedding shower. Instead I have been trying to multi-task too many things and nothing is getting finished.
Court last Wednesday for a tenant of 3 yrs. Her boyfriend hit her upside the back of the head with a bat. He is lazy, doesn't work, takes her money, sweet talks everyone and WAS finally put in jail for what he did. I told her, you let him come back and you are out of here. I will not tolerate the man around my other tenants. Well, she let him back. So, I gave her a 30 day notice to move. And when she failed to pay her rent this month I took her to court. Wednesday of this week I go to court on another tenant. He is on section 8. I guess you could say I am cleaning house because I filed an FE&D on another gal that I am sick and tired of trying to track down and get money from.
So, like I said...being on here is really the last thing I should be doing. I might start today by getting a walk in before it starts raining again. Hogan is sitting on the porch waiting for me.
I thought once the sale was over I could get caught up on the rentals or the planning of Angie's wedding shower. Instead I have been trying to multi-task too many things and nothing is getting finished.
Court last Wednesday for a tenant of 3 yrs. Her boyfriend hit her upside the back of the head with a bat. He is lazy, doesn't work, takes her money, sweet talks everyone and WAS finally put in jail for what he did. I told her, you let him come back and you are out of here. I will not tolerate the man around my other tenants. Well, she let him back. So, I gave her a 30 day notice to move. And when she failed to pay her rent this month I took her to court. Wednesday of this week I go to court on another tenant. He is on section 8. I guess you could say I am cleaning house because I filed an FE&D on another gal that I am sick and tired of trying to track down and get money from.
So, like I said...being on here is really the last thing I should be doing. I might start today by getting a walk in before it starts raining again. Hogan is sitting on the porch waiting for me.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Drama house
So, I have this big old house. What a grand place it must have been a hundred years ago. Nice wide oak woodwork, beamed ceilings, huge foyers and hallways. What was once a single family home, now accomodates seven apts. The first is a one bedroom. The other six are efficiences. Cozy little units with tiny kitchens fixed up really nice. And for one person that is on a fixed income, they are a perfect fit.
Unless the 7 tenants don't fit with each other.
Pam lives in #1. She is my age, on disability, has two sons one which is in and out of jail for meth every few months.
Justin lives in #2. Young guy, kind of hippish. His family owns the pawn shop downtown. He just wants a nice inexpensive place to live. No contact with anyone else. He wants no socializing or to even have the other tenants know his name.
Good ol Bill is in #2. He is a bit older than me. Has a drinking problem and according to two of the other tenants in the building, uses crack. He also likes to watch porn and if he gets to drinking, becomes a bit suggestive and obnoxious (I dont like how the guy looks at me but I act like I dont notice)
#4 is empty. Has been for over seven years. Husband tore up the bathroom to redo and there it sets.
Now Curtis is a good guy. Apt #6. Is currently unemployed but has done work for us in the past when I really need help with painting or cleaning. He is a good cleaner. Only problem with Curtis is that he is severely overweight. He can not do ladders or get down on the floor. Not only is he heavy but he smokes. He gets winded pretty quickly.
#6--Anthony! He was born on the same day and year I was. Good guy. He is a bit slow which is no big deal. I just wish he wouldnt TALK SO LOUD. I can hear him downstairs when I step into the building. The drama with Anthony is with his girlfriend. I dont like getting calls at 11:00 pm from her to discuss how awful this guy is to her. Cant seem to get through to her that she should STAY AWAY FROM THE GUY!!! What am I supposed to do about it?
In #7 I have a handicap gentleman and his neurotic girlfriend. The paramedics are called to that house at least every two weeks. She is either trying to kill herself. If she isn't than he is.
So what is all the drama about? Goodness. I get at least one phone call a day from Pam. She tells me about every detail in her life along with all the buzz and gossip in the building. There is a lot of he said, she said going on amongst them all.
It's gotten to the point where I have raised my voice and said
"I DONT WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT. IT IS NONE OF MY BUSINESS. JUST STAY AWAY FROM EACH OTHER etc etc etc"
Worse than a dorm or my house when the kids were in grade school.
Oh, gotta go...phone is ringing. Gee, I wonder if it's Pam
Unless the 7 tenants don't fit with each other.
Pam lives in #1. She is my age, on disability, has two sons one which is in and out of jail for meth every few months.
Justin lives in #2. Young guy, kind of hippish. His family owns the pawn shop downtown. He just wants a nice inexpensive place to live. No contact with anyone else. He wants no socializing or to even have the other tenants know his name.
Good ol Bill is in #2. He is a bit older than me. Has a drinking problem and according to two of the other tenants in the building, uses crack. He also likes to watch porn and if he gets to drinking, becomes a bit suggestive and obnoxious (I dont like how the guy looks at me but I act like I dont notice)
#4 is empty. Has been for over seven years. Husband tore up the bathroom to redo and there it sets.
Now Curtis is a good guy. Apt #6. Is currently unemployed but has done work for us in the past when I really need help with painting or cleaning. He is a good cleaner. Only problem with Curtis is that he is severely overweight. He can not do ladders or get down on the floor. Not only is he heavy but he smokes. He gets winded pretty quickly.
#6--Anthony! He was born on the same day and year I was. Good guy. He is a bit slow which is no big deal. I just wish he wouldnt TALK SO LOUD. I can hear him downstairs when I step into the building. The drama with Anthony is with his girlfriend. I dont like getting calls at 11:00 pm from her to discuss how awful this guy is to her. Cant seem to get through to her that she should STAY AWAY FROM THE GUY!!! What am I supposed to do about it?
In #7 I have a handicap gentleman and his neurotic girlfriend. The paramedics are called to that house at least every two weeks. She is either trying to kill herself. If she isn't than he is.
So what is all the drama about? Goodness. I get at least one phone call a day from Pam. She tells me about every detail in her life along with all the buzz and gossip in the building. There is a lot of he said, she said going on amongst them all.
It's gotten to the point where I have raised my voice and said
"I DONT WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT. IT IS NONE OF MY BUSINESS. JUST STAY AWAY FROM EACH OTHER etc etc etc"
Worse than a dorm or my house when the kids were in grade school.
Oh, gotta go...phone is ringing. Gee, I wonder if it's Pam
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Takes all kinds
What to do what to do?
I can not believe it.
What do you get when you have a fairly new floor in a kitchen and a tenant gets it grimy with dirt and grease and than they put wax over all that?
Well, I know what I get...a sore back and arm from trying to strip it all off.
I can not believe it.
What do you get when you have a fairly new floor in a kitchen and a tenant gets it grimy with dirt and grease and than they put wax over all that?
Well, I know what I get...a sore back and arm from trying to strip it all off.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Ahh ha
I think I have had my 'ahh ha' moment. Sure, my knees have been slowly getting worse over the years. That started when I dislocated the kneecap in high school. In fact it dislocated a couple of different times in basketball. And again in college when I was dancing to Redneck Mother at a frat party. Oh yeah, I guess again when I was playing volleyball in college. Than over the course of my life time after college, I abused it even more-my knees, my back, pretty much my whole body. Man, I think back to what I all used to do. All the lifting milk cans and hay bales and five gallon buckets of feed. At jobs during the summer between college in factories Than having three kids and continuing a life of hard labor--no pun intended. It has only been the last four years that I have really been forced to slow down.
But I was refusing to accept it.
I had my ah ha moment today. I was slapped in the face with it. Working with my husband in an apt., trying to help him move a roll of carpet, the stove, reach up to screw the blind brackets to the window frame, painfully brought back how I used to do those things alone. I moved appliances, I could pull a huge full extended WOODEN ladder out of a basement and set it up against houses that I painted WHILE my kids were in a playpen below. I carried five gallon buckets of paint--not one, but two--up a flight of stairs. I pushed a mower strapped with a 9 mo. old in a baby pack. Heck, I loaded the mower in and out of the back of my car by myself. Shoveled snow off sidewalks for hours-and LOVED it. I thoroughly enjoyed working.
But not today. The scariest part came when I finally got to sit after a long day of working and getting dinner made and cleand up. I got this horrible dizzy spell as I sat down to watch some TV. Damn migrain. What now, is my whole body going to hell? What am I going to do? Work is my life. I dont know how to relax, I dont know how to have fun. I dont know what else to do!
So I will go to bed feeling my knees and my shoulder pound.Try not to feel that numbness in my neck and arm and the nauseating migraine linger. Hope I dream again, not being aware of my body except for a feeling of freedom.
But I was refusing to accept it.
I had my ah ha moment today. I was slapped in the face with it. Working with my husband in an apt., trying to help him move a roll of carpet, the stove, reach up to screw the blind brackets to the window frame, painfully brought back how I used to do those things alone. I moved appliances, I could pull a huge full extended WOODEN ladder out of a basement and set it up against houses that I painted WHILE my kids were in a playpen below. I carried five gallon buckets of paint--not one, but two--up a flight of stairs. I pushed a mower strapped with a 9 mo. old in a baby pack. Heck, I loaded the mower in and out of the back of my car by myself. Shoveled snow off sidewalks for hours-and LOVED it. I thoroughly enjoyed working.
But not today. The scariest part came when I finally got to sit after a long day of working and getting dinner made and cleand up. I got this horrible dizzy spell as I sat down to watch some TV. Damn migrain. What now, is my whole body going to hell? What am I going to do? Work is my life. I dont know how to relax, I dont know how to have fun. I dont know what else to do!
So I will go to bed feeling my knees and my shoulder pound.Try not to feel that numbness in my neck and arm and the nauseating migraine linger. Hope I dream again, not being aware of my body except for a feeling of freedom.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
29 years
We have been married now 29 years. Sunday was our anniversary and it resembled the day 29 years ago. Big rolling clouds, sun, and windy! But even though we had snow the weekend before, it was dry this Sunday. Creig and I drove 2 hours to Galena IL. Strolled up and down Main St checking out the shops. As always, we were drawn to the architecture and old history items that many of the shops had to offer.
We had to get away --far enough away so we would not feel guilty that we weren't working at the apts. My knee was hurting but I didnt care. Just as we were ready to call it an afternoon, I found a sun to commemorate the day. I look for a pair of artsy earrings or a sun plaque for my garden on any trip we take. This sun was happy and holding his own in the wind. Kind of paralleling my husband and I and our years together.
We had to get away --far enough away so we would not feel guilty that we weren't working at the apts. My knee was hurting but I didnt care. Just as we were ready to call it an afternoon, I found a sun to commemorate the day. I look for a pair of artsy earrings or a sun plaque for my garden on any trip we take. This sun was happy and holding his own in the wind. Kind of paralleling my husband and I and our years together.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
You talkin to me?
I used to look forward to my walks every morning. Something about getting out in nature, taking photographs, having the dog with me. Since my knee replacement I dread it somewhat. Yet I go, and Hogan knows about the time we usually head out. He sits on the other side of the door keeping an eye on me.
Instead of the usual trail, I started on the other side of Big Woods lake today. New smells for Hogan and he was very excited. At the point where we would turn to go back to the car, I heard someone yelling. There is a dog further down the path romping our way. It wasn't on a leash and I didnt see any one following behind it. Great, Hogan is not the most socialized dog. He gets really excited but I don't trust if it would lead to more aggressive behavior or not. Instead, I avoid any confrontation. The dog got around Hogan and did the greet and sniff from the back. I didn't hesitate and kept walking hoping the owner would be coming soon. Finally up ahead, there she was, sitting on a bench. As I got closer I asked if that was her dog and she nodded. My concern was that Hogan (big chow with thick dense fur) couldn't be trusted and I would hate to have anything happen. She kind of scowled a response about it being a good way to teach her dog a lesson. I said, "No, I'm serious." So she got up and started yelling at the dog to get over to her, which only got mine excited and he in turn decided he wanted to get to her dog before she did. Finally she gets a hold of its halter and under her breath she mumbled 'bitch' as she went to sit back down.
Excuse me? Who is a bitch? Hogan? He is a male. Well, an it, but he aint no bitch. So I'm guessin she was referring to me!
I was stunned. I mean I hear rudeness all the time from customers in stores, at restaurants, from tenants- but this shocked me. There is a sign posted saying all dogs must be on a leash 6' or shorter. Hogan could have made breakfast out of that thing. (I doubt he would but I did not want to find out)
I continued on without responding thinking maybe she was there to think through some things. Maybe she lost her job, maybe she had to move back in with her parents. Or what if her bf broke up with her, or she was being evicted from her apt? It was too beautiful of a place to be so rude just because one is rude.
There are rare moments when I meet someone that is noticeably polite. When I do it is very refreshing. I showed the apt yesterday to a very young gal who was very well mannered. And she wasn't pretending just to impress me just so she had a better chance at the apt.
I wanted to rent to her on the spot.
I have been called the 'b' word before. Many times in fact but, be assured, I am only when need be. Usually, I aint no bitch.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Being green before it was the 'IN' thing
My husband sat down last night after a long day of hard work. Reclined back and held the newest Fine Homebuilding magazine on his lap. As he opened the first page, admiring the photo of the old renovated house, he quietly commented how that is what he had seen himself doing. Instead now, he fixes up houses for someone to come in and abuse.
Like I have mentioned earlier, we love old houses. We drive around neighborhoods admiring the architecture, the lines, the history. Before my husband was a plumber, he was a manager for a local business. On the way home one day there was this beautiful mansion right in the downtown area of Waterloo. A sign was posted on the door "Selvage for sale"
He came home all excited. This home was typical of the times. Very large, hard to maintain and in a location undesirable to live. Originally it was built by a wood baron in the very early 1900's. You were greeted with the grand foyer complete with a fireplace. There was a parlor and a music room, the stairs off the foyer were interrupted with a huge landing and the most beautiful full height ceiling stained glass windows. Everything about this house was magnificent. There was a walnut room, a birds eye maple room, an oak room--everything was quarter sawn wood. Even after years of being a funeral home, you could see the money and craftsmanship someone had invested.
They tried to sell the mansion. But like I said, it was in a downtown location and few wanted to live there. Some had visions of moving the building to some place more desirable. The weight restrictions on the roadways struck that idea. I know of a couple who thought maybe they could cut the house up in sections and move it that way. Well, more restrictions and codes halted that idea. It would have been considered new construction meaning everything up to current code. A house that size, the financing was impossible.
So a man bought the selvage rights. I had 2 little ones at the time and the oldest was about 3 or 4. After my husband got off work, we would go to the house and remove baseboards, door trim, window trim and doors and little things here and there. All the nails had to be removed and loaded up in our beat up old truck. It was in the middle of a very hot and humid summer. Needless to say, it was a lot of work but we had enough woodwork to replace the inferior pine that was in our old house.
In addition to the woodwork, but my husband decided to save the old turret (complete with slate roof, copper finial, curved glass windows) and make a playhouse for the kids in our backyard. The long story behind that crazy idea is found at the link to my picturetrail albums. There is one album dedicated to that story. http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/4555777
My husband was determined and he did make it happen. And now my kids have many fond memories of that playhouse.
We hated to see so many of these beautiful sound pieces of art torn down and taken to the landfill. For a few years after our first 'salvaged' project, we were able to go into many more houses and selvage history. Now 24 years later, it is 'fashion' to reuse. I see it on HGTV all the time.
Just like in the first house we bought that had so much fire and water damage done to it, and before it was torn down, we took the oak flooring and the huge massive front porch posts. I now have a beautiful oak floor in my kitchen. One of the posts I refinished and it divides the living room from the diningroom. Our entire main floor displays the woodwork we removed from the mansion. My living room is birch, my dining room is oak, my office is birdseye maple. Some oak was used in the kitchen and in the bathroom, my husband incorporated the huge headers and door trim.
If our house wasn't of historical value before, it is now.
Like I have mentioned earlier, we love old houses. We drive around neighborhoods admiring the architecture, the lines, the history. Before my husband was a plumber, he was a manager for a local business. On the way home one day there was this beautiful mansion right in the downtown area of Waterloo. A sign was posted on the door "Selvage for sale"
He came home all excited. This home was typical of the times. Very large, hard to maintain and in a location undesirable to live. Originally it was built by a wood baron in the very early 1900's. You were greeted with the grand foyer complete with a fireplace. There was a parlor and a music room, the stairs off the foyer were interrupted with a huge landing and the most beautiful full height ceiling stained glass windows. Everything about this house was magnificent. There was a walnut room, a birds eye maple room, an oak room--everything was quarter sawn wood. Even after years of being a funeral home, you could see the money and craftsmanship someone had invested.
They tried to sell the mansion. But like I said, it was in a downtown location and few wanted to live there. Some had visions of moving the building to some place more desirable. The weight restrictions on the roadways struck that idea. I know of a couple who thought maybe they could cut the house up in sections and move it that way. Well, more restrictions and codes halted that idea. It would have been considered new construction meaning everything up to current code. A house that size, the financing was impossible.
So a man bought the selvage rights. I had 2 little ones at the time and the oldest was about 3 or 4. After my husband got off work, we would go to the house and remove baseboards, door trim, window trim and doors and little things here and there. All the nails had to be removed and loaded up in our beat up old truck. It was in the middle of a very hot and humid summer. Needless to say, it was a lot of work but we had enough woodwork to replace the inferior pine that was in our old house.
In addition to the woodwork, but my husband decided to save the old turret (complete with slate roof, copper finial, curved glass windows) and make a playhouse for the kids in our backyard. The long story behind that crazy idea is found at the link to my picturetrail albums. There is one album dedicated to that story. http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/4555777
My husband was determined and he did make it happen. And now my kids have many fond memories of that playhouse.
We hated to see so many of these beautiful sound pieces of art torn down and taken to the landfill. For a few years after our first 'salvaged' project, we were able to go into many more houses and selvage history. Now 24 years later, it is 'fashion' to reuse. I see it on HGTV all the time.
Just like in the first house we bought that had so much fire and water damage done to it, and before it was torn down, we took the oak flooring and the huge massive front porch posts. I now have a beautiful oak floor in my kitchen. One of the posts I refinished and it divides the living room from the diningroom. Our entire main floor displays the woodwork we removed from the mansion. My living room is birch, my dining room is oak, my office is birdseye maple. Some oak was used in the kitchen and in the bathroom, my husband incorporated the huge headers and door trim.
If our house wasn't of historical value before, it is now.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Monday monday
It is Monday already. BUT the apt. is officially finished. Even the carpets have been cleaned. And For Anyones Information (FAY) we do all the work except that. I refuse to start hauling a heavy carpet cleaning machine around from apt to apt.
Now the process to rent it out begins once again. The phone will be ringing non stop, I will try and screen as many on the phone that I can but ultimately I will make appointments to show it. Believe it or not, 80% of those will not show. Ten minutes is the time I allow for anyone to be late. After that I leave. It just amazes me how many set up a time to come out and see the place, sound determined that I rent to them over the phone, than dont show up. Not even a decent phone call to cancel.
Let the week begin!
Now the process to rent it out begins once again. The phone will be ringing non stop, I will try and screen as many on the phone that I can but ultimately I will make appointments to show it. Believe it or not, 80% of those will not show. Ten minutes is the time I allow for anyone to be late. After that I leave. It just amazes me how many set up a time to come out and see the place, sound determined that I rent to them over the phone, than dont show up. Not even a decent phone call to cancel.
Let the week begin!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
For the love of an old house
The first two years or so my husband and I were married, we dreamed. Dreamed of the kind of house we wanted. We would go to home shows, show an interest in log cabins. Than there was the energy crisis back in the 80's. Oh we were gonna have an earth home. The A shaped house appealed to us al-be-it a very short time. I am not sure how we got hooked on old homes. The older the better. Maybe because when we started seriously looking, the only ones we could afford were the old fixer uppers. Whatever the reason, it became almost an obession.
We rented seven different places in five years. During those five years I recall my husband saying he had always dreamed of living in a house with a big ol wrap around porch. I dont think I had ever even seen one. But can you beleive it? We now live in a house with a DOUBLE wrap around porch. Built around 1897 or so by a banker. And no, it isn't a mansion. The banker was the 'tight' kind of banker. (no hidden money in the walls)
He had a home in Boone IA that he sank all his millions into. But no matter. This home was old, unusual and at a price and contract we could afford.
Heck we were only 27 at the time, with two kids and lots of visions.
A pic of us than on our porch with our dog Higgins actually relaxing and spending time doing nothing. How long did that
last?
We rented seven different places in five years. During those five years I recall my husband saying he had always dreamed of living in a house with a big ol wrap around porch. I dont think I had ever even seen one. But can you beleive it? We now live in a house with a DOUBLE wrap around porch. Built around 1897 or so by a banker. And no, it isn't a mansion. The banker was the 'tight' kind of banker. (no hidden money in the walls)
He had a home in Boone IA that he sank all his millions into. But no matter. This home was old, unusual and at a price and contract we could afford.
Heck we were only 27 at the time, with two kids and lots of visions.
A pic of us than on our porch with our dog Higgins actually relaxing and spending time doing nothing. How long did that
last?
Friday, April 8, 2011
I AM NOT
I need to clarify something. I am not a slum lord. My husband is not a slum lord. Ok, so most of our properties are in low income areas--OK all are in low income areas. Many living in those areas are on government assitance or work at fast food restaurants. Yes, many are in 'the hood' where witnessing the sale of drugs through a car window is common. Are there run down houses in the neighborhoods? Yes. Are there law enforcement officers patroling the streets? Yes. Why does that mean I must be a slum lord? We take care in our houses. We put lots of time and sweat AND money in them. We do what we can afford but it is always quality work. We do not rent to anyone and everyone.We all need a place to live and the low income deserve that place to be decent. The single moms, the Vets, the elderly, the struggling adult taking jobs, any job.
Too often when I am showing an available unit, those going through are surprised at how nice it is. Impressed that the bathroom has updated plumbing and fixtures. Loving the high security doors and windows we have. Amazed how CLEAN they are.
We do not rent anything out that we ourselves would not live in. They may not be the grand hotel but they are not slums.
Let me say, we are NOT slum lords (I have the bank account to prove it)
Too often when I am showing an available unit, those going through are surprised at how nice it is. Impressed that the bathroom has updated plumbing and fixtures. Loving the high security doors and windows we have. Amazed how CLEAN they are.
We do not rent anything out that we ourselves would not live in. They may not be the grand hotel but they are not slums.
Let me say, we are NOT slum lords (I have the bank account to prove it)
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Missing something.....
When we first began our hobby with the properties, we had dreams of restoring our now 105 yr old house. That was 24 yrs ago. Seems all our time now is spent fixing the rental units. I insist though that I get some time out in my garden. What would I do without that little piece of land out back that I can call all my own. There I can create, reconnect and toil in the dirt and in my mind. There was a time when all I could think about was what I could be creating in my beds. I yearned to make it my haven.
I miss that. That feeling of being so lost in something so enjoyable. And it has been the last couple days that I feel so apathetic about all the work we do at the rentals and how much time we spend doing it, and what gratification does it bring us anymore?
When we first started this hobby it was because of our love of old houses. And there were so many around Waterloo abandoned and needing love. I painted houses during the summers because I was a stay-at-home mom. The first house we bought was right next door to one I was painting. (they had me paint it BLUE!!!) A beautiful old home with massive porch pillars and grand woodwork inside.
Years prior, there had been a fire and the roof was never repaired so from much rain, the inside was in need of lots of work.
We were young, with very little credit. Those were the years when times were tough- high interest rates, no banks looking to loan money to any young unexperienced rookies. We came up with the $2000 to buy it. But with no one to lend us money to fix it up, we had to let it go. Before we did, we left with the porch pillars, most of the woodwork and hardwood flooring. In just a few short years, the city tore the house down. What a shame...with our love, it could have been a grand home again.
And that was our first property.
I miss that. That feeling of being so lost in something so enjoyable. And it has been the last couple days that I feel so apathetic about all the work we do at the rentals and how much time we spend doing it, and what gratification does it bring us anymore?
When we first started this hobby it was because of our love of old houses. And there were so many around Waterloo abandoned and needing love. I painted houses during the summers because I was a stay-at-home mom. The first house we bought was right next door to one I was painting. (they had me paint it BLUE!!!) A beautiful old home with massive porch pillars and grand woodwork inside.
Years prior, there had been a fire and the roof was never repaired so from much rain, the inside was in need of lots of work.
We were young, with very little credit. Those were the years when times were tough- high interest rates, no banks looking to loan money to any young unexperienced rookies. We came up with the $2000 to buy it. But with no one to lend us money to fix it up, we had to let it go. Before we did, we left with the porch pillars, most of the woodwork and hardwood flooring. In just a few short years, the city tore the house down. What a shame...with our love, it could have been a grand home again.
And that was our first property.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Dang!
Sure has been a downer. All the repairs we have to do at the apt. My husband and I spent so much time over last summer fixing this place up only to have someone move in and in five months do so much damage. During all the 21 yrs we have been landlords, this is by far the worse and the most time consuming damage that has been done to any of our units. Every door totalling 4, had to be replaced and since all of them were kicked in, the frames were cracked so those had to be replaced also. And..and...the list goes on.
Time spent on that is time taken away from more fun things..Fun things like---fixing up the apt that has been sitting for about a year just waiting. Yeah, that's it. Those kind of fun things
Time spent on that is time taken away from more fun things..Fun things like---fixing up the apt that has been sitting for about a year just waiting. Yeah, that's it. Those kind of fun things
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Day's end
Nothing like a beautiful sunset out in the country where I grew up to wash all the stress away. A peaceful drive up to mom's last night proved to be just that.
Today I answered no phones, did no bookwork, cleaned nothing and never saw one tenant. Instead I spent the day with mom. The biggest thrill of the day was getting to see one of the Decorah eagles. He sat up in a tree as if waiting for me. Loved watching him fish for breakfast for his brood.
Monday, April 4, 2011
How oh how?
What a day! How in the world did I do all this when the kids were little? All the running I have to do for the properties, collecting rents (or trying to) at the beginning of the month, phone call after phone call, showing apts., cleaning, and paying bills. Than I did it for my house and my family.....laundry, groceries, the never ending cooking, bookkeeping, paying bills, keeping the house clean, yard work, shopping for the kids and this all having to be done before any of their concerts and sporting events; help with homework, art projects!!!!! I yi yi yi!
Today I have just been spinning spinning. I have some good prospects for my one bedroom-and some not so good. I got a 30 day notice for two other apts and about four tenants are having trouble with their rents for April. They all want a 3 day from me so they can go to organizations for assistance. All meaning I wont get money for those until April.
Supper on the stove, laundry in the machine, bills in their envelopes and now headed out the door to load some piles of yard waste I raked together yesterday.
Get out of the house before the phone starts ringing-again!
Today I have just been spinning spinning. I have some good prospects for my one bedroom-and some not so good. I got a 30 day notice for two other apts and about four tenants are having trouble with their rents for April. They all want a 3 day from me so they can go to organizations for assistance. All meaning I wont get money for those until April.
Supper on the stove, laundry in the machine, bills in their envelopes and now headed out the door to load some piles of yard waste I raked together yesterday.
Get out of the house before the phone starts ringing-again!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Shattered and moved on
Anything glass was broken, evidence of more abuse from the holes in the bedroom wall-one the size of a fist, another indentation appeared to possibly be a body. This door was shredded and it was obvious someone did their best to get it open because it was ripped off the hinges.
How frightening it was for me to be clearing all the stuff out and cleaning up, just thinking about being in such a situation as this gal must have been.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
TGIF
Never has been a secret that I do not enjoy cooking. Maybe that is why I am glad it's Friday. We usually grab a sandwich on our way home from working at the apts. So since we work most nights and through the weekends, Friday is jut like any other day.
What a feeling to get my Efficiency rented today. I am tired of the phone ringing non-stop. It is rare to have an efficiency open for so long. Word of mouth, or demand for them gets them filled very fast. For some reason this time around I havent had very good luck. Three different times I had someone to rent it, and they ended up losing their job or just disappearing.
I try to do as much screening over the phone as I can. What a rash of 'just out of jail, been in jail, drug charges, just started work, looking for work, have a record of domestic abuse...theft charges, many FE&D's'....it is so difficult to find a good tenant especially when some of my units arent in the best of neighborhoods.
One unit rented now on to clear out and clean up the one I evicted the other day. Gonna take some work. The gal had an abusive boyfriend and it was 'abused'...
What a feeling to get my Efficiency rented today. I am tired of the phone ringing non-stop. It is rare to have an efficiency open for so long. Word of mouth, or demand for them gets them filled very fast. For some reason this time around I havent had very good luck. Three different times I had someone to rent it, and they ended up losing their job or just disappearing.
I try to do as much screening over the phone as I can. What a rash of 'just out of jail, been in jail, drug charges, just started work, looking for work, have a record of domestic abuse...theft charges, many FE&D's'....it is so difficult to find a good tenant especially when some of my units arent in the best of neighborhoods.
One unit rented now on to clear out and clean up the one I evicted the other day. Gonna take some work. The gal had an abusive boyfriend and it was 'abused'...
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Going back to center
Stress....
One of those days.
Stress. Too much too even write about.
So at end's day even with still so much work to do, I found my way to Big Wood's Lake to find my center again. And there it was. I mean, how could I not find peace here?
And I wasnt alone. The big eagle, unlike me, was still at work.
Just what I needed to see.
One of those days.
Stress. Too much too even write about.
So at end's day even with still so much work to do, I found my way to Big Wood's Lake to find my center again. And there it was. I mean, how could I not find peace here?
And I wasnt alone. The big eagle, unlike me, was still at work.
Just what I needed to see.
Distraction today
It is the day after court. I have to make the decision whether to file the writ against this young gal. I checked out her apt after the hearing yesterday and about all that is left inside is garbage and pieces of furniture. When I say pieces, I literally mean, pieces. Her boyfriend tried to kill her-or so I have been told by relatives. And the way the apt looks, maybe he did. The fronts of the cabinets are ripped off-I guess he must have been searching for the knife he chased her outside with. The bedroom door is ripped off the hinges. Looks like he tried to get THROUGH the door at her before he finally just tore it off. The door is in smithereens, for lack of a better word. The thick glass dining room table top is in a million pieces. Looks as if someone tried bagging up some of it. Most of the chairs are broken, entertainment center is smashed. The bathroom door was kicked in too.
Do I spend 50 bucks to have the sheriff watch me throw out this 'garbage' on the curb or just go ahead and back up the truck, load it and take it directly to the dump?
Well, if I decide to do either, it will have to wait because today the tax man is coming to help me set up my accounts on Quick books. Lordy, after doing my books the same way for 21 yrs, why now must I change and do it on the computer.
Hey, just because I blog doesn't mean I am comfortable on the computer.
Gonna be a long day. I need some distractions
Do I spend 50 bucks to have the sheriff watch me throw out this 'garbage' on the curb or just go ahead and back up the truck, load it and take it directly to the dump?
Well, if I decide to do either, it will have to wait because today the tax man is coming to help me set up my accounts on Quick books. Lordy, after doing my books the same way for 21 yrs, why now must I change and do it on the computer.
Hey, just because I blog doesn't mean I am comfortable on the computer.
Gonna be a long day. I need some distractions
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Another day, another eviction
I had court this morning to evict a gal out of one of my 2 bedroom apts. She wasn't there but five months. Sometime I should go back and count the number of times I have been in court over the years. Not all end up with a Sheriff supervising me as I throw their belongings to the curb,(that is another entire story in itself) but the times that it did have to happen, I will never forget.
I hate court. I mean, the closer and closer it gets to actually stepping foot into the courthouse, my stomach is queasy and depending on the case, my hands shake. No reason really why I should feel anxious. As long as I do the paper work properly, it is a pretty simple event.
This would be a good time to lay out what all needs to be done properly.
One can not BELIEVE what is all involved in getting back an apt that you have not received payment for. An apt where you have provided a safe environment, water, in most cases heat and electricity. An apt that you have to pay the insurance, property taxes, utilities, humongous mortgage, repairs and snow removal in the winter, lawn care in the summer. Nine times out of ten, they are already 2-3 weeks if not a month behind in their rents. So, first thing is to get them to sign a "3 day notice of unpaid rent"
This is basically a form that states, the tenant has 3 days (actually it's not 3 days. It is 5. I found that out the hard way in front of a judge once. Even though the law is 3 days, one has to figure 5. Go figure) to pay you the rent owed in full. If not, I can file what is called an FE&D -forcible entry and detainer. Now if that tenant refuses to sign the 3day or I cant find them to sign it, I have to make three attempts to locate them. After that, I can post the notice on the door. I must send one copy to their address by regular mail, one by certified mail. (Which costs me over $3) If they did not sign, I have to wait TEN days before I can file the FE&D. During any of those three days, I am required by law to accept a full payment. By the way, that rarely happens. Sometimes though,just giving them a 3 day is enough to scare them to get their rent paid.
OK, where was I?
Oh yeah. After ten days, I go to the courthouse, pay $85 to have papers for a court date to be served to said tenant. I can either have the sheriff's dept do that or as I prefer, a processing server (costs me less and unlike the busy sheriff, serving papers is all they do) NOW if the tenant is not there to accept the papers and sign for them the same procedure as the 3 day has to be taken. Make three attempts, post on door after the third attempt, mail a copy to the address by regular mail and certified. Than in TEN days, a court date can be set.
Now to be prepared for the actual court appearance before the judge, I need 3 copies of the 3 day notice (have to have one for the tenant in case they haven't seen it yet!) a copy for the judge and of course one for me. I also need an affidavit signed by a notary that I truthfully posted the 3 day and sent out two copies via US mail.
Pretty simple so far. And cost up to now is $3 postage for the 3 day, 85 to file, another 45 to have it served. So, let's say I have done everything correct. That doesn't mean the tenant will necessarily move out. The courts give them 3 days to move. And upon that 3rd day, if they are not out, I need to file once again and this time for a writ to evict. That costs $50 and I wait until I get a call from the Sheriff's dept. They set up a time to meet me at the apt. Basically they have to be present to make sure I remove everything from the premises, place them on the curb. Note I said 'place'. I get in trouble if I throw or damage any of the property in any way shape or form. And I cannot hold back any items for myself. They also confiscate any weapons or dangerous material that would be a hazard to anyone digging through the rubble. (Let's see, like the gun under the mattress, the drug paraphernalia up in the ceiling, the huge knife in the crawl space or the stack of porn under the bed.)
The Sheriff insists this should all take less than 30 min. I am expected to have plenty of help to carry out all items, large furniture etc within that time frame. All the 'junk' has to stay on the curb for 24 hours to give the tenant the chance to recoup their property. After 24 hours (which in the mean time, every Tom, Dick and Harry has gone through and strewn everything all over the boulevard and the street) the health dept issues you a notice that 'all debris has to be removed within 24 hour.
It is unbelievable. Not only does the tenant get to live free for a month or more, I basically pack up their belongings for them, haul them out and in 24 hours have to load them all up again and take them away. (insert dump fee here) There have been times when the tenant was waiting right outside the door to take the stuff WE had to provide boxes for and pack up. They loaded it in their truck and drove off. Once that is all said and done, it takes about a month to clean up the place, do repairs and find another tenant.
And that is another long story.
I hate court. I mean, the closer and closer it gets to actually stepping foot into the courthouse, my stomach is queasy and depending on the case, my hands shake. No reason really why I should feel anxious. As long as I do the paper work properly, it is a pretty simple event.
This would be a good time to lay out what all needs to be done properly.
One can not BELIEVE what is all involved in getting back an apt that you have not received payment for. An apt where you have provided a safe environment, water, in most cases heat and electricity. An apt that you have to pay the insurance, property taxes, utilities, humongous mortgage, repairs and snow removal in the winter, lawn care in the summer. Nine times out of ten, they are already 2-3 weeks if not a month behind in their rents. So, first thing is to get them to sign a "3 day notice of unpaid rent"
This is basically a form that states, the tenant has 3 days (actually it's not 3 days. It is 5. I found that out the hard way in front of a judge once. Even though the law is 3 days, one has to figure 5. Go figure) to pay you the rent owed in full. If not, I can file what is called an FE&D -forcible entry and detainer. Now if that tenant refuses to sign the 3day or I cant find them to sign it, I have to make three attempts to locate them. After that, I can post the notice on the door. I must send one copy to their address by regular mail, one by certified mail. (Which costs me over $3) If they did not sign, I have to wait TEN days before I can file the FE&D. During any of those three days, I am required by law to accept a full payment. By the way, that rarely happens. Sometimes though,just giving them a 3 day is enough to scare them to get their rent paid.
OK, where was I?
Oh yeah. After ten days, I go to the courthouse, pay $85 to have papers for a court date to be served to said tenant. I can either have the sheriff's dept do that or as I prefer, a processing server (costs me less and unlike the busy sheriff, serving papers is all they do) NOW if the tenant is not there to accept the papers and sign for them the same procedure as the 3 day has to be taken. Make three attempts, post on door after the third attempt, mail a copy to the address by regular mail and certified. Than in TEN days, a court date can be set.
Now to be prepared for the actual court appearance before the judge, I need 3 copies of the 3 day notice (have to have one for the tenant in case they haven't seen it yet!) a copy for the judge and of course one for me. I also need an affidavit signed by a notary that I truthfully posted the 3 day and sent out two copies via US mail.
Pretty simple so far. And cost up to now is $3 postage for the 3 day, 85 to file, another 45 to have it served. So, let's say I have done everything correct. That doesn't mean the tenant will necessarily move out. The courts give them 3 days to move. And upon that 3rd day, if they are not out, I need to file once again and this time for a writ to evict. That costs $50 and I wait until I get a call from the Sheriff's dept. They set up a time to meet me at the apt. Basically they have to be present to make sure I remove everything from the premises, place them on the curb. Note I said 'place'. I get in trouble if I throw or damage any of the property in any way shape or form. And I cannot hold back any items for myself. They also confiscate any weapons or dangerous material that would be a hazard to anyone digging through the rubble. (Let's see, like the gun under the mattress, the drug paraphernalia up in the ceiling, the huge knife in the crawl space or the stack of porn under the bed.)
The Sheriff insists this should all take less than 30 min. I am expected to have plenty of help to carry out all items, large furniture etc within that time frame. All the 'junk' has to stay on the curb for 24 hours to give the tenant the chance to recoup their property. After 24 hours (which in the mean time, every Tom, Dick and Harry has gone through and strewn everything all over the boulevard and the street) the health dept issues you a notice that 'all debris has to be removed within 24 hour.
It is unbelievable. Not only does the tenant get to live free for a month or more, I basically pack up their belongings for them, haul them out and in 24 hours have to load them all up again and take them away. (insert dump fee here) There have been times when the tenant was waiting right outside the door to take the stuff WE had to provide boxes for and pack up. They loaded it in their truck and drove off. Once that is all said and done, it takes about a month to clean up the place, do repairs and find another tenant.
And that is another long story.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Documenting the glamour
Well, after years of 'thinking' about blogging my exciting experiences in the life of managing rental properties..this morning's phone call finally pushed me over the edge. Or it pushed me on into the world of blogging. I write this stuff down in one of my many journals. I tell ya, if (if?) I ever die it will take years for my family to go through all my journals. And than again, mabye I dont want anyone reading them. Kept one since I was in second grade. As I got older and into college I had several to get emotions off my chest. I have kept a journal for each one of my kids from the time I found out I was pregant. An entry on each one of their birthdays is all I have time for now. I have kept dream journals. (dreams-while-I-am-sleeping kind of dreams) I journal my garden plans and wishes and hopes and ideas. But the kind of life I have as a landlord is something that should be exposed. Like being a mom. From the outside you think, "oh how neat would it be to have children. Just think of the fun". With no training and not the foggiest idea of what you're getting into. And then there you are collapsing at the end of the day in sheer exhaustion--maybe downing some tylenol for that stress headache but in the same breath, you are happy. Children are one of the greatest rewards. Just when you think you have the kid and the parenting job figured out, here comes another one. Now the whole game is changed. More balancing, more differences in your approach because this kid is totally different then the first one. What worked on her isnt working on him. It's a day by day challenge and learning experience.
Well, landlording isnt any different. YOU have no clue what it all involves until you have been there and done that and that and that! From the outside it looks wonderful. "Wow, look at all the apts you have, you must be rich. Must be nice not to have to punch a clock every day, take off whenever you want to....blah blah blah."
This here blog will record my day to day and sometimes, minute by minute journaling of the ultimate parenting job anyone could have. Yes,I will say it. I am a glorified babysitter, an accountant, a lawyer, a janitor, handy'woman', a landscaper, a snow remover, a dump hauler, a painter, a rent collector and also a teacher, guidance counselor, cab driver, interior designer and an out and out BITCH on a bad day.
This may not be pretty but hopefully enligtening. Someday I just may look back on the last 21+ years and laugh?
Well, landlording isnt any different. YOU have no clue what it all involves until you have been there and done that and that and that! From the outside it looks wonderful. "Wow, look at all the apts you have, you must be rich. Must be nice not to have to punch a clock every day, take off whenever you want to....blah blah blah."
This here blog will record my day to day and sometimes, minute by minute journaling of the ultimate parenting job anyone could have. Yes,I will say it. I am a glorified babysitter, an accountant, a lawyer, a janitor, handy'woman', a landscaper, a snow remover, a dump hauler, a painter, a rent collector and also a teacher, guidance counselor, cab driver, interior designer and an out and out BITCH on a bad day.
This may not be pretty but hopefully enligtening. Someday I just may look back on the last 21+ years and laugh?
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