Seems I've been on a roll here the last few days in regard to rental properties.  I've talked about Rental Property Owners and Property Managers.  Today I'd like to have a conversation with Tenants. 

In my years as a REALTOR® I have seen it -- well I hesitate to say ALL, but I've seen a lot!  And some of the worst things I've seen have been as a result of tenants who do not RESPECT the property they are renting.

I've seen trash in the bathtubs, floors so dirty you can't even tell what color they are, busted blinds, cracked windows, stains on carpet, refrigerators with dirt half an inch thick, trash thrown out in the yard, pet stains on carpets and walls, chewed and broken blinds, holes in doors, missing door handles or pulls, broken shelving and doors.  Told you I've seen a lot!

I can't even imagine living in some of the filth I've seen.  But if that's how you choose to live then I suggest you buy your own home to trash.  Trashing a home that you are renting is legally AND morally wrong.  The rights you enjoy as a tenant do not extend to destroying a home that someone else owns.

When you enter into a lease, you are not just getting a place to store your things, or throw great parties with no regard to the results, you are getting a home.  It is not a repository for your trash.  Whether it's pristine or not when you move in, it is not your property -- you need to show some respect and take care of it.  If it is not clean on your move-in date, contact the Property Manager or Landlord immediately.  It is their job to see that the home is in move-in condition.  It is your job to keep it clean once you are living there.

If something breaks, whether it's your fault or not, you NEED to tell the Property Manager or Landlord IMMEDIATELY!  By the way, it's a good idea to follow-up in writing.  They need to know as soon as possible so that the issue can be addressed before it becomes too large to fix easily. It may be an issue which requires notification to an insurance company and your Property Manager or Landlord only has a small window of time in which to accomplish this.  And unless you want them to come by weekly to inspect the property, you must do this. 

Keep the house clean!  If you spill something, CLEAN IT UP!  If you, your child or your pet makes a mess on the carpet -- CLEAN IT!  Wipe off the counters, clean the windows, don't leave rotting food in the refrigerator.  It stinks up the whole house!  Vacuum the house regularly.  It's much easier to keep it clean than it is to have to do a deep clean.

If you are fortunate enough to have found a property which will allow you to have pets -- TENANTS, SHOW SOME RESPECT TO THE HOME YOU ARE RENTING!  Don't let your animals mess in the house.  Regularly clean up the pet hair they leave behind.  An Owner who will let you have pets in a rental property is doing YOU a favor.  Return it by behaving like a responsible pet owner and tenant. 

Keep the yard cleaned up and the grass cut.  You are hurting everyone in the neighborhood when you don't do this.  And if you think the neighbors don't care -- don't kid yourself.  If the HOA decides to go after the Owner, guess who the Owner is going to go after?  You do realize that you can be evicted for not holding-up your end of the bargain; don't you?

Your Property Manager and/or Landlord are not your adversaries, they are your partners in this.  You do your part and they will do theirs.  Should they not, you have recourse available to you.  Read your lease carefully and fully, be aware of what is expected of you and of them. 

When you treat your rental home with respect, you are also treating yourself with respect.  Which will encourage your Property Manager and/or Landlord to treat you with respect.  It's a really good circle to be a part of!

Tish Lloyd, Broker Associate

NC Real Estate Lic. 269076

Prudential Laney Real Estate

527 Causeway Drive

Wrightsville Beach, NC  28480

910.547.1446

 

 

Everything's better at the beach . . .

Arriving at my new construction inspection I was met by the supervisor on the front porch.  We had met before on the pre-drywall inspection, so we recognized each other as I approached.

Since it was a hard-hat zone, he was happy to see my hard hat on my head.  He said, "I brought you a hard hat, but I see you don't need mine."

"I also brought you a new pair."

Kidding, I told him I didn't need a new pair. 

"No, buddy, you need a new pair of these."  And he handed me a pair of booties. 

"I just take my shoes off, isn't that enough?"

"Not in my house.  Until I turn this house over to the buyers, everyone wears these!"  He put his on too.

That was rather impressive to me!  No builder had ever done that before.  So, since a Scout is clean, I put on my booties and got started! And they fit!  Sometimes those things are too small for my feet.  Not today!

So, that's my booty.  Oh, did you think I meant...?  Well, no, I'm pretty sure you don't want to go there.

 

 

As hurricane Earl is approaching and we all are hoping that we will not get much of the hurricane action here in New Bern it is still very good idea to get prepared. Hurricanes are very powerful storms and they do change their paths here and there. For your convince here is list of supplies you should have ready and handy

Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days

Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days
- non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
- foods for infants or the elderly
- snack foods
- non-electric can opener
- cooking tools / fuel
- paper plates / plastic utensils

Blankets / Pillows, etc.

Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes

First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs

Special Items - for babies and the elderly

Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes

Flashlight / Batteries

Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio

Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set

Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods

Keys

Toys, Books and Games

Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag
- insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.

Tools - keep a set with you during the storm

Vehicle fuel tanks filledPet care items
- proper identification / immunization records / medications
- ample supply of food and water
- a carrier or cage
- muzzle and leash

Sonja Babic

Your North Carolina Broker

New Bern NC Real Estate

New Bern Homes For Sale  

Search New Bern NC MLS

A Plus Real Estate Professionals

I write many posts about the history around us in Northern Virginia. The most common comment we receive is "There is so much history in your area". Of course, the eastern part of the US did play a significant role in our country's development, but every one of the 50 states and its' communities have items of historical significance that would suggest posts that are both educational and entertaining.

For example, a four lane cross county highway replaced an old two lane road several years ago. I traveled two lane Davis Ford Rd for years when it was the main cross county route and never took notice of two historical markers along the road near a little old cemetery.

As you can see a lot of history transpired along the road planned by George Washington in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. It is not a major tourist attraction, but it is an interesting fact I can point out to clients as we tour the area.

Do you take a few minutes to stop and read historical markers along the road? If you try it you may be amazed at how much history you discover.

Two Active Rain members that do an outstanding job of blogging about their local history are Myrl Jeffcoat blogging about an historic downtown renovation and Jennifer Fivelsdal blogging about historic barns in her area.. I point them out because they are at opposite sides of the continent. Also, the two posts I chose as examples are strikingly different in their focus. The important point is they are interesting local history - it is everywhere.

Two Active Rain members that do an outstanding job of blogging about their local history

 

Dear Rush,

We’ve been listening to your show for a while now and are beginning to pick up on a subtle vibe that maybe you don’t completely trust the Obama in Chief with the direction of the country. Not sure if you realize it but spitting in the faces of our Founding Fathers is not even the worst of it.

Have you looked at your portfolio lately?

As a born and raised Missourian from the Show Me state, we’re sure you pay close attention to the direction of your portfolio, which probably feels like a shot put dropped on your foot about now if you have any sizable chunk in the stock market. If you haven’t done so yet, it’s time to Obama – proof your holdings.

Our advice is straightforward. Run from Wall Street investments like the very hounds of hell were on your tail. Head for the loving, and highly profitable, embrace of income investment properties. Seriously. It’s been working great for us for more than two decades, through the hilarious highs and logjammed lows of the stock market. We know you stay busy with your daily stack of stuff and might not always have time to research your investments so here’s our advice.

Whatever you do, stay the heck away from stock brokers and their administrative fees. They’ll be on you and your personal profit center like leeches.

Dittos.

For more free cutting-edge income property investing and eBusiness news and advice from expert Jason Hartman (yours truly), subscribe to the Creating Wealth Podcast in iTunes or listen online for free!

Or you can sign up for my free educational CD at www.JasonHartman.com/freecd

Click here for original post of this educational blog

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