New House News

Yeah, we finally heard back yesterday about this. Their counter was far, far away. We're going to respond Sundayish.

I'll keep you posted.

It Doesn't Hurt To Ask

That's all I can imagine the woman on the other end of the phone line was thinking when I received this call yesterday.

"Hello?"

"Hello, I'm calling again about your house for rent. We spoke the other day."

"Oh, okay. How are you?"

"Good. I would like to take the house. We will pay you $600 a month for it."

Silence.

"Really?"

"Yes. When can we move in?"

"You do realize that the price is over $1000 higher than that, right? I think there's some sort of misunderstanding. This is the house on Fourth Street."

"Yes, we will give you $600 for it."

"It's the least expensive house in the neighborhood for rent. You might have better luck if you go a bit further North or West."

"We will give you $600 for it."

"Unfortunately, that's not going to work out for me. Good luck to you, though."

She called back THREE MORE TIMES. You gotta appreciate her attempt to negotiate.

The New House Saga Continues

Are you sure you're ready for an update on the house offer? drumroll...

NOTHING.

Nada. We made the unusual allowance in the contract of four days for the acceptance, because it's owned by two brothers who travel. Apparently, they're taking us up on our generous timeframe. So I have zero new updates to share. Noon on Thursday is the deadline, and if we have no counteroffer by then, they've dropped the ball. Their Realtor has given me no read on what they'll respond with either.

In other news, it looks like our possible tenant may pan out for The Downtown Townhouse, which would be lovely.

As well as homeless if our offer is not accepted.

Splish Splash

Apparently I do not properly appreciate how neat it is to slam your paw into a water dish purely for the joy of watching the way the light reflects and dances in the waves you cause. Again and again.

And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again.

Renting And Associations

Andrew thinks that he may have found a tenant for The Downtown Townhouse, and he's meeting with him this evening to fill out our background check form. Immediately, a whole list of reminders began tumbling out of my mouth, especially since The Downtown Townhouse is part of an home owners' association which involves additional approval procedures.

Here are a few things I suggest.

When leasing a property that is part of a homeowner's association, keep in mind:

1. Have your candidate fill out the association's approval forms as soon as possible. In Florida, by law, they have up to thirty days to approve your potential tenant. It shouldn't take that long, but I have seen associations use the entire time period. Also, there may be an interview process. Often there are special provisions in the community's by-laws which stipulate that only the president of the association or someone who is on the board may conduct the interview(s), and sometimes, only in person. This represents an obstacle if that person is on vacation or only lives in the community part-time. Also, take into account that there is usually a separate fee (commonly $100 in our neck of the woods) for their approval process. It may sound forward, but I always bring a lease, association application, and my own background check and approval forms to each and every showing. That way, when someone wants to sign a lease we can get the process started immediately. There's no point moving forward if they can't get approved, anyway.

2. Always get copies of two forms of picture identification. This is usually required by your association, but it should be something you do, regardless.

3. Make sure to have a bank account number, place of employment, social security number and vehicle identification number. Your association should require these, but if not make sure you get them anyway. In the event that you need to collect unpaid rent or damages, this information will help you track them down through the court system, though it's no guarantee. Still, you can weed out many undesirable tenants just by asking for this information.

4. Make sure that you have everyone over the age of eighteen that will be occupying the property listed on the lease. They each need to fill out separate applications, as well (and there may or may not be separate application fees). This is important to the association, because they often have particular rules regarding guests, or anyone not listed on the lease that is over eighteen and staying overnight. For instance, if your tenant intends on having her mother live with her throughout the summer, it's something your association may need to be aware of if they offer valet services or special parking.

5. Ask exactly what pets and children will be occupying the premises. Include this information on your lease (which the association should always get a copy of). For example, if your county or association has a law stating that no more than two people may occupy a one bedroom condominium, and your tenant and his wife are pregnant, you have a problem. I have seen this happen, and the association evicted them. Always make sure your tenants abide by all of the pet and occupancy restrictions.


*I am not an attorney. For legal advice, please seek qualified legal counsel.*

Counter Schmounter

So. The new home purchase. We have news.

There will be a counteroffer.

Cue the booing.

Please Cross Your Fingers

I shouldn't even be typing this, because it will probably jinx the entire thing, but we're putting an offer in tomorrow morning on a place we found a few weeks ago in North Florida. Our offer will be significantly lower than their asking price so it's far from a sure thing, but we want to get the ball rolling before this one slips away. I just couldn't keep it a secret from you.

Don't cross your fingers that we get the property. While I really like it, while it's the first thing in a great while that has me this excited, there will always be good properties at great deals. Cross your fingers that everything works out; that we can find renters for the vacant places here in South Florida and that the inspections come back two thumbs up.

Cross your toes, too!

One I'm Glad I Didn't Tear Up

Talk about a bad day at work...

A Little More About Me

After graduating with my degree in Architecture longer ago than I care to remember, I landed a job as an associate with a firm in South Florida. I settled into a life of computer drafting, lattes, and twelve hour work days red-lining construction documents. I didn’t wear Le Corbusier glasses, and I went running on my lunch breaks. I hated office parks and morning traffic. I was impatient. I didn’t fit. I was sure there had to be more.

It didn’t take long for me to become unbearably disillusioned. After a month, I began to solicit my own projects with the promise of being able to lead them. After a year, I left.

For a short time I tried to work in construction. At five foot nothing and a little over one hundred pounds, no one would look twice at me. Then, I briefly fantasized about designing sustainable architecture in the Peace Corps. In the end, like everyone around me, I joined the real estate boom which by that time was in full swing.



That was over a dozen moves, many more renovated properties, and lots and lots of tenants ago.

What exactly do I do? I buy houses, tear them up, put them back together, rent them, sell them, or live in them. Not in that order, necessarily. I wear tank tops all day. I make a lot of mistakes. I’ve also been very lucky to experience a modest level of success. I’ve slept on my share of concrete floors. It’s not a glamorous lifestyle.

I’ve learned a lot along my journey, which I’ve finally decided to chronicle in this blog. I hope you’ll join me. Check in every now and again for my old screw up renovation stories, recent nightmarish tenant dealings and new adventures of home ownership. Maybe you’ll pick up a thing or two from something that I’ve done right. Or maybe you’ll just laugh at the things that haven’t gone as I planned. Either way, this isn’t a how-to manual or a home improvement television series. Although I have very specific ideas about designing and investments, I’m not here to make any recommendations on how you can turn a bathroom into a palace or secure your retirement. I never went to business school. I’m not a practicing architect.

I’m just a girl who really likes to put together useful, conscientous spaces after a good week with a sledgehammer, and I’ve been fortunate enough to make a few dollars doing it. And this is my story.