Slumlords

Slumlords can be the most frustrating thing to deal with and as tenants there is really nothing you can do about it.  You can move out and forfeit your deposit and risk the chance of negative repercussions on your credit and possibly have a hard time with your future rentals or you can stick it out. What do you do...you break the cycle!

A couple of years ago my husband and I got hit hard with the rest of the economy and our credit took a beating. The tenant that was in one of our rental properties suddenly moved out and we could not get tenants back in the house causing it foreclose, we both lost our jobs, we had late payments, and life just was not fun. We carried on and did our best; we paid what we could when we could and not everything was not time. It took some time to get back on our feet and that meant renting for a while. NOT what we wanted.  When you are used to living under your own roof and taking care of things the right way having a slumlord is just not the way to go.

We moved into the last rental property we will ever live in March of this year.  I will say it has made me rethink how I think as a landlord, we still own one rental property. We always thought of ourselves as good landlords, now we think of ourselves as a great landlords...my tenant calls, I answer - something is wrong, someone is there right away. I will not be a slumlord.

When we first moved in we thought "This is a nice home, great layout, pool, hot tub, beautiful deck, great neighborhood."  It didn't take long to see otherwise.  A couple of days after living here and the pool pump went out - 4 weeks later finally fixed, during which the pool/hot tub heater went out - still not fix and never will be. We have a hot cold tub but since the heater is "not a necessity" they won't fix it, this also goes for the sprinkler system and the auto timer on the pool.

It has been one thing after another and even the things they will fix it takes weeks to get fixed.  I am sure that not all rentals are like this - I know mine is not - by why risk it!  Interest rates are crazy low. We did not have an option because we had to get our credit straight, believe me when I say I WILL NEVER RENT AGAIN! This slumlord has taught me a lesson; I have paid more each month than if I would have bought this house plus I had to live with broken items, most of which could have easily been fixed. 

Soo, to the slumlords out there - if you don't have the funds or the want to take care of your properties I would be happy to help you sell them, this is the time to do so.

To the renters out there - do you really want to put up with the slumlords when you can invest in your own home and pay less and not have wait weeks to get your leaking sink fixed.  Pay less money each month and invest in yourself! I am.

Is Granite really necessary?

Step 5 or 10

Countertop Considerations

You've probably heard that granite is the secret to a contemporary kitchen, but that's not necessarily what buyers are after. "It's really about the slab," says designer Linda Applewhite. Buyers don't want to see grout lines on their counters, she explains.

So when it comes to slab countertops, granite is the top pick because it's hard, nonporous and easy to care for. But then again, so is Corian, so are composite stone surfaces such as Silestone and, she notes, with the help of today's sophisticated sealants, so are concrete, limestone, soapstone and marble.

Even butcher-block, which is much less expensive than stone, can be a more appealing alternative to tile or laminate countertops. "When it gets funky, you can sand it and oil it and it looks good again," she says.

Already have granite? Make it cutting edge. "A lot of people are honing their granite now," adds Applewhite. "What that does is knock it down and make it more matte, so it looks warmer and more inviting. Shiny surfaces can look very cold."

10 Things That Make Buyers Bite - Step 4

Find out which features make a difference in the bottom line.

By FrontDoor.com | Published: 6/12/2012

4. Beautiful Baths
According to real estate agents, marble counters, whirlpool baths and steam showers up the attractiveness of any bathroom. But if you don't have these luxury items, it may be more practical to address the unattractive aspects of your existing bath.

"Rip out that big sheet mirror and those globe lights that look like you're in a theater dressing room," suggests designer Simon Temprell.

Replace them with an elegant framed mirror (don't be afraid to look outside the bathroom section, he says) and sconce lighting on either side.

This lighting scheme is also more flattering to the face, observes designer Sue Adams, and making buyers feel pretty will pay off!

Don't forget the "bling"...

Step 3 of the 10 Ways to make buyers bite:

3. Fab Fixtures

"Fixtures," says designer Linda Applewhite, "are the jewelry of the house." Only the extremely detail-oriented among us will stop to inspect doorknobs, faucets and cabinet knobs, but designers and real estate agents argue that we'll prefer the look of a place that has coordinated fixtures that are a cut above standard developer grade.

"Newer construction is so chintzy with fixtures and fittings," observes Miami-based interior designer Simon Temprell. Replacing knobs and drawer pulls "is the quickest way to make over a bathroom or kitchen," he says. And when it comes to faucets, he adds, "for $60 or $70 dollars you can buy something infinitely better" than what you likely already have.

Step 2 to making buyers bite

10 Ways to make buys bite:

2. Hardwood Floors

Realtors agree that most buyers are hunting for hardwood. You can bet that of all types of flooring, hardwood floors will "have the most longevity and will never go out of style," according to designer Linda Applewhite of Sausalito, Calif.

A synthetic wood floor, like Pergo, "is always a good option for those who can't afford hardwood," furthers real estate agent Rhonda Kohn. But know that a laminate floor "won't fool everyone - it has a hollow thud when you walk on it and it doesn't look the same," adds designer Sue Adams.

10 Ways to make buyers bite

1. A Nice Entryway
Impress buyers right off the bat with a beautiful entrance. "I always tell sellers to put a fresh coat of paint on the front door," says real estate agent Theresa Evans of Charleston, S.C.

And if you don't have an entrance at all, make one. "A lot of my buyers have mentioned that they don't like to just go through the front door into the living room," says Los Angeles-based Realtor Rhonda Kohn.

This problem, more common in condos and apartments, is solved by cleverly placing furniture to create more of an entryway. "A console table or demilune chest of drawers with something over it creates a welcoming vignette," says designer Sue Adams of Andover, Mass.

Entryway designed by Kerry Howard.

Keep reading for the next 9 steps in the coming days...

2209 Chasefield Dr

2209 Chasefield Dr

This property was just listed today and is already being shown.  It won't last long so if you are looking for a great home in Plano give me a call to schedule to see this home ASAP! This is a beautiful home with 3 bedroom 2 full baths.  Don't miss out! Plano ISD - Carlisle Elem, Schimelpfe Middle, Clark High, and Plano Senior.

Don't forget to "fall back"

Time to Fall Back-Sunday, November 4

It's hard to believe it's already that time of year again!

Sunday, November 4 officially marks Daylight Saving Time (DST) so at 2:00 a.m. don't forget to move your clocks back one hour.

The easiest way to remember whether to move your clocks forward or backward is to commit this saying to memory: "Spring forward and fall back."

Here are some interesting, fun facts that surround Daylight Saving Time:

• Many people think that Daylight Saving Time is actually called "Daylight Savings Time."
• Hawaii and Arizona don't observe Daylight Saving Time.
• Benjamin Franklin was the first to advocate for Daylight Saving Time, back in 1784.
• Daylight Saving Time is initiated at 2:00 a.m. in order to eliminate disruption.
• Many local fire departments encourage people to use Daylight Saving Time as an opportunity to change the batteries in their home's smoke detectors.
• In 2007 a new law was put into effect to move DST to the first Sunday in November in order to give trick-or-treaters more sunlight.
• Any Amtrak trains in the United States that happen to be running at 2:00 a.m. actually come to a stop and then wait one hour before starting back up.

Bear in mind the sun goes down earlier, so if you have children playing outside, remind them it is harder for cars to see them this time of year.

I hope that you're enjoying the festive fall season with your family. If you have any mortgage-related questions or concerns or have any colleagues or friends that could use my help, call or email me anytime. I'm always happy to talk to you!