Monthly Archives: September 2017

[GA] How should I address my renter’s deposit upon leaving my condo with damages?

I moved out of state, and had to rent my relatively new Georgia condo. I only lived in it for 7 months, and left the place in pristine condition. I rented it on a yearly lease out to a a girl, no pets, and she stayed there for 9 months, before giving me a 30 day notice. So, I put my condo up for sale, and had my realtor do an inspection with her, and take photos for me.

  • Several burnt out light bulbs were not replaced
  • Marks on one of the walls. These walls were freshly painted last year.
  • Oven not cleaned
  • My condo has wooden floors throughout. In the kitchen, the baseboards shifted?!? and displayed the concrete underneath. How the hell could that even happen?
  • Damage to two of the bathroom door panels due to hanging rods.
  • Grouting in the kitchen – I understand that could happen, but this was freshly done last year as well!
  • Scratch on the wood floor. She put a carpet on top, but how could that happen?

I'm surprised at some of the damage that occurred just after 9 months of living. How should I go about addressing these concerns with her? Thanks, just looking for advice

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Local bank vs. National bank for Mortgages

I'm trying to check a rationale I'm hearing about the Seattle real estate (likely applies to other hot, competitive markets) against some uninterested parties.

When I'm doing mortgage rate shopping I'm generally seeing much more competitive rates from national and online banks. Local banks have generally been higher. All else being equal, seems like a no brainer to go with national/online.

Yet when I speak to agents or local banks, they claim that sellers will always take a local bank first, and that our bid will be at the bottom of the stack. They mention things about faster closing and that seller agents have developed relationships and trust with local banks.

Is this in fact the case? It seems plausible, but curious how strong this preference is and if in fact we'd have practically no chance with a national/online bank as the locals are saying.

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[IN] House next to mine is up for foreclosure auction; owner died. Currently tenant occupied. How do I find a copy of the lease?

There is a house down the street from where I own a house out-of-state that is up for sale as a foreclosure auction. However, it is currently occupied by a family who is unrelated to the owner (I think, as they are black and the owner is white). I am trying to ascertain the value of the property and what my cash-for-keys offering or extension of lease may be. A few questions that I am not sure about. The price is good, so that is why I am interested…

1) How do I find a copy of the tenant-landlord lease as a third party? I don't have a problem with the tenants, but I need to find out the current rental price, but the owner is dead and the bank doesn't care.

2) If they refuse to give me the lease once I own the property or if they do not have it, can I evict them? How do I know they aren't just squatting?

3) If I do want to terminate the lease, what rights do I have, now that the house has gone through the foreclosure process? I am pretty sure I cannot just evict them without cause, but what notice should/must I give?

https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2017/bills/house/1294 (This says 90 Days)

Any other foreseeable problems?

Thank you in advance!

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Anyone have experience buying super cheap undeveloped land way out in the country?

First, I'll tell you that I've been looking for some land that can be used for vacationing/hunting/relaxing/etc. I work in IT and would like to have a place to escape technology and the city life. I would use an RV or build a small cabin on the plot.

My search has led to me to several websites that offer acres of land for no more than a few thousand dollars. Not only is it cheap, but it's completely isolated, it's exactly what I want.

My question is about the potential pitfalls of these lands. I'm aware of tax obligations (many of these lots are less than $100/yr according to the websites). I am not looking to invest; I don't expect a financial gain, and it will be for recreational purposes only.

I fully understand that these places are likely hours from civilization and have no access to plumbing, electricity, or water. My only margins will be in fresh air. That said, what do I need to know about these lands and the companies that sell them?

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Seeing Real Estate Broker advice

So I'm considering getting my real estate license. I currently live in Georgia, but I'd want to get my license in Utah since I'm planning on moving and I have some properties there. I've done some research and it seems that you have to get a pre-license. I wasn't sure if this was state-specific. Since I have to be in Georgia for now, I wanted to get a jump start and I wasn't sure if I can start my finish my pre-license in Georgia and then complete the rest of the certification in Utah.

Thanks for your input!

*meant to type seeking not seeing in the title…

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Does it make sense buying home/condo in East Side of seattle (kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond, Bothell)

Any 2bed 2 bath condo in East side of seattle is at least 360 k with $300+ HOA, mortgage will be around $2400 of which $1000 is intrest $350 is HOA mortagage insurance is $200, taxes and insurance is $250 totaling $1800 which is almost the renting cost per month for similar size home. Even if we put 20k down it doesn't make much difference..

Home prices went up astronomically in last 2-3 years, which I believe is because of Vancouver foreign investors tax.

How does it make sense to buy home to live in these conditions?

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[FL, US] Looking to buy small plot of land in metropolitan area for small home (not a tiny house).

I'm looking to buy a small plot of land to put a very small home on. Something similar to a trailer home, but about half the size (not a tiny house), and not on wheels (I hear there are often county restrictions on houses with wheels…yes/no?).

I'd like to be in a location near a Walmart, etc. Some civilization and not have to drive 10+ minutes to and from wherever I am just to be near people. Ideally, it'd be nice to be able to walk to Walmart, grocery store, etc. so I don't have to spend a lot on gas.

Does anyone know of a good place in Florida where I can get a small plot of land (seriously I don't even care if it's only enough to fit a house this size: https://todddunn.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/park_model.jpg). I don't need a lawn, etc. – I don't want to maintain a lawn) and it isn't super expensive? I don't even really know how to educate myself about buying land…any ideas? A safe area is very important to me (top priority). Would like to be able to walk to wilderness easily as well. I know very specific, but I figured i'd try to start researching now!

I would just get an apartment…but the way I see it, if I can get some land for cheap, put a small pre-fab type house on it, then it's a better investment I can turn around and sell in the future if I'd like to.

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