Aver dear friend of mine has rentals. She moved a couple hours south of us which was a bit too far to care for the rental she has in our area. The most recent tenant moved out after 5 years and no one came to look at the house while it was for sale for a month. My friend asked if I could show the place for rent and I could keep the first month's rent.
It seemed an easy task as the house is not far from where we live. She called the listing agent to take the lock off the door and give me the key. The agent called and said she had left the key but that the neighbors were out on the street at the time and she feared they had seen her hide it.
She also asked if I was a property manager as she was desperate to find a good one in town. She had the demand if I was interested. I said I would think about it. I will have to look up the qualifications, if there are any. I think finding a good handyman is half the battle for a good property manager. And being a good judge of character. Get the good renters in the first time. But good renters want good houses and I am not sure what I am going to get with this property. It is an interesting neighborhood.
I took Riley with me since it was after dark and popped down to the house. I had told Riley it would just be a quick stop to get the key so he just threw on his sweats and no shoes for the trip in the car. The house really isn't that far away from our house but it is amazing how quickly the neighborhoods change quality.
This rental sits almost under a bridge. I counted 12 grocery carts just left to sit kitty corner to the house. A neighbor told me, when I asked what was being done about the carts, a woman comes by every few days and returns the carts to the stores. I wonder if she gets a finders fee. I asked once how much the carts cost. Those carts cost $400 each. The stores probably have someone designated to round them up, or all the homeless people would make a business of stealing them and bringing them back.
It was after 8:00 pm. The sun had set and it was very dark. I had brought a flash light as I thought the power had probably been turned off. I wanted to be able to find the hidden key. It was right where it was supposed to be but I thought I had better do a walk through of the house. I unlocked and opened the door and the door fell off its hinges. I called out to Riley in the car and flashed my light at him to get his attention. He had to walk over to me in his bare feet. The neighbors across the street, about 5 of them, were hanging out on their front porch watching me, a young crowd enjoying the warmer night without rain. I couldn't make out much more than that in the dark and they didn't have their outside lights on, just standing around in the dark.
It took Riley and me a good thirty minutes to get the door back into its frame and lock it so it would stay in place until I could come back with new bigger, fatter, longer screws to reattach the hinges to the door jamb.
I swung by Ace in the morning and picked up the screws and made copies of the keys for me to have a spare. I waited until Riley got home from school as I knew this was a two man job. Someone would need to hold the door in place while the other screwed the hing down. Riley commented on our way down to the rental asking if we were bringing a gun with us for our safety. I told him it was daylight and he was there to protect me. Trev had after school activities, so it was up to Riley to be there with me. I told Riley I would pay him to mow the lawn at the rental, but he declined and said he wanted to spend as little time in that neighborhood as possible.
We got the door fixed. It really needs a new surround, but it will hold for a while. I could have used longer screws but I didn't have a cordless power drill so we had to use a Phillips head screw driver and do it all by hand. Riley and I traded off who was holding the door as both our wrists were soar with twisting.
Just as we finished the people who were going to view it showed up. Riley watched me in action. These girls did not qualify to rent as one was unemployed and the other only made $1200 a month. The rent would be over half their income. I told them if it was still available when the other woman had a job, they could come back and talk to me. I hope to have it rented sooner than that.
As Riley and I headed back to my car after locking up without incident, A skinny man started to walk towards us. I speed up my pace to the car. The man called out that he was the room mate of the house next door. He was pretty scruffy and missing his four top front teeth. The house next door has piles of discarded furniture and broken bikes in the yard. I had met the neighbor next door at my first visit when my girlfriend took me to the house. He was a nice stout older man. Single guy who doesn't care what his yard looks like. Perhaps a hoarder with his life spilling out into the yard.
The man with missing teeth asked if I would like the yard mowed or anything done to the house. I had remembered the gutters on this one story vintage cottage needed cleaning. I said I would find out what the owner wanted to do. Honestly, I might pay him to clean up his own yard so I can get this place rented. You don't necessarily want to put up bushes to block views because someone could hide in them. Since Riley didn't want to mow the lawn I probably will have this guy do it. At least then The rental will have someone keeping an eye on it and it wont look neglected.
So I have something to distract me while Tom is gone, and definitely an eye opener for my boys and me, on the choices you make in life and where you can end up with the wrong choices. I just want to hug Tom and tell him how much I love him and appreciate everything he does for us, and the lifestyle he has given us. I miss him terribly.
I am showing the house again this week. It has a lot of interest, but being qualified for the rental price is important. I don't want to have to deal with this house again for a while. I call it Adorable Vintage in my ad, built in 1922. My friend remodeled the bathroom and kitchen. It really is quaint. I tell people the neighbors watch each other, but I don't say they may not be the kind of neighbors you want keeping an eye on you.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
next project
Tom left for his next project in Nevada. I found an apartment with much stress and anxiety for him, searching the classifieds and craigslist, and calling local agents. This area, he is working in, I am told from multiple sources is a very popular rental area with a coal plant and a coal mine both giving a lot of short term engineers projects to work on needing short term residences to live in.
I had a place lined up before, a little cottage with maid service once a week. But we took too long starting the project and the cottage was grabbed for the next 11 months by some other engineers coming in to work at the coal mine.
I left my name with several apartment complexes. I received a call asking if I was still looking as this apartment complex had an opening due to a no show in one of their units. It was a two bedroom. They charge more for short term, but I was happy to find something at all. I had seen an ad on Craigslist where a woman had a room to rent in her home and was offering her master suite in the arraingment. I wondered if she came with the bedroom, after all it is Nevada, and I didn't want to get so desperate for a place for Tom that I would have to ask.
The owner's partner had died recently so when I asked if there was any way I could get some furniture into it, the owner agreed, for a fee. He provided a dining room set and a couch and coffee table and a recliner that reminded me of Tom's first recliner when we were dating, 20 years ago. He also provided a Queen bed and frame. I really didn't want Tom sleeping on a mattress on the floor. I remember Vashon Island with Tom on a twin mattress, on the floor, we had stuffed into the backseat of his cadillac for a bed.
Tom took my jeep with the new tires and 4 wheel drive. Just in case he had bad weather while he was gone. The jeep holds more stuff anyway. Tom packed his HDTV, the mid size one from our bedroom. He had the boys move their smaller one up to my room to replace it, though small is relative in this household when it comes to TV's. Our smallest is 40 inches. I didn't even notice at first until the boys told me.
I threw in some dishes, pots and pans, and blankets into the car. I gave up my can opener just to make sure he had one when he arrived. I must remember to pick up a new one for myself. I used an old style beer opener to open a can of re fried beans after Tom left, and just demolished the can.
The trip was uneventful. Tom stopped in Pasco to see an old friend. He arrived Saturday morning about noon at his destination. He told me he had thought Wyoming was a desolate place until he drove through Northern Nevada. He spent a year during college in Wyoming working at a "man camp". After that year he went back to college and got his degree.
I had called for power to be hooked up before Tom arrived, and for the Direct TV guy to be available the first day so he didn't have to live without TV for even one day. I was thrilled to hear the installer worked on both Saturdays and Sundays. The Direct TV offers a second account for those that have two residences and you can keep your packages.
What I missed was the gas heat and gas water heater. When I called the electric company I asked them about gas hook up and they said "We don't have gas in that area." I took that to mean no gas. Well, Tom arrived down there to find clear skies and 17 degrees at night, and no heat. No hot water to shower either. He put a pot of water on the stove and turned the oven on and survived the first night. Thank goodness for the Direct TV's successful install. Tom can survive anything as long as there is HDTV.
The property manager has the unit across from Tom's. He is a golfer and had several conversations with Tom. Doug has been allowing Tom to use his shower over the weekend until the gas man can come get Tom hooked up.
I called to get the gas hooked up while Tom went to his first day at work. The account had to be put in my name as Tom wasn't with me to say hello to the agent on the phone, hooking up the power in Nevada. I made the appointment for the gas man to come over while Tom was at work. I begged for same day hook up so he wouldn't have to go another night without heat or hot water.
Tom called from his work the apartment manager to unlock the closet where the water heater pilot light needs to be turned on and accessible.It is in the closet between the two apartments. The door was unlocked by someone, but no one was there when the gas man arrived. It turned out the door was an automatic locking door when the door is shut. So after unlocking the door and leaving, the door shut and relocked. When the gas man arrived the door was locked. Tom has to go another night without hot water or heat. The gas company can't get back to him until Wednesday.
I am just glad Tom's next door neighbor, the apartment manager, is so accommodating, or Tom would be pretty stinky for his first few days on the job. Tom makes friends where ever he goes, the manager is a golfer. I am sure they are already arranging Tee times at the closest decent course for Tom's first day off from work. He will be working six tens so Sundays are his day of rest. Tom sent me a picture of the area and noted the blue sky in the background. As soon as he left the weather turned nice here also. Some how we need to figure out how to have these between projects times happen during summer, so Tom can get some golf in with nice weather.
Tom is all set up now at his new location. I'll wait to hear when I can come for conjugal visits, maybe Memorial weekend. I tried so hard to get everything comfortable and ready for Tom. My poor guy is freezing in the desert.
I had a place lined up before, a little cottage with maid service once a week. But we took too long starting the project and the cottage was grabbed for the next 11 months by some other engineers coming in to work at the coal mine.
I left my name with several apartment complexes. I received a call asking if I was still looking as this apartment complex had an opening due to a no show in one of their units. It was a two bedroom. They charge more for short term, but I was happy to find something at all. I had seen an ad on Craigslist where a woman had a room to rent in her home and was offering her master suite in the arraingment. I wondered if she came with the bedroom, after all it is Nevada, and I didn't want to get so desperate for a place for Tom that I would have to ask.
The owner's partner had died recently so when I asked if there was any way I could get some furniture into it, the owner agreed, for a fee. He provided a dining room set and a couch and coffee table and a recliner that reminded me of Tom's first recliner when we were dating, 20 years ago. He also provided a Queen bed and frame. I really didn't want Tom sleeping on a mattress on the floor. I remember Vashon Island with Tom on a twin mattress, on the floor, we had stuffed into the backseat of his cadillac for a bed.
Tom took my jeep with the new tires and 4 wheel drive. Just in case he had bad weather while he was gone. The jeep holds more stuff anyway. Tom packed his HDTV, the mid size one from our bedroom. He had the boys move their smaller one up to my room to replace it, though small is relative in this household when it comes to TV's. Our smallest is 40 inches. I didn't even notice at first until the boys told me.
I threw in some dishes, pots and pans, and blankets into the car. I gave up my can opener just to make sure he had one when he arrived. I must remember to pick up a new one for myself. I used an old style beer opener to open a can of re fried beans after Tom left, and just demolished the can.
The trip was uneventful. Tom stopped in Pasco to see an old friend. He arrived Saturday morning about noon at his destination. He told me he had thought Wyoming was a desolate place until he drove through Northern Nevada. He spent a year during college in Wyoming working at a "man camp". After that year he went back to college and got his degree.
I had called for power to be hooked up before Tom arrived, and for the Direct TV guy to be available the first day so he didn't have to live without TV for even one day. I was thrilled to hear the installer worked on both Saturdays and Sundays. The Direct TV offers a second account for those that have two residences and you can keep your packages.
What I missed was the gas heat and gas water heater. When I called the electric company I asked them about gas hook up and they said "We don't have gas in that area." I took that to mean no gas. Well, Tom arrived down there to find clear skies and 17 degrees at night, and no heat. No hot water to shower either. He put a pot of water on the stove and turned the oven on and survived the first night. Thank goodness for the Direct TV's successful install. Tom can survive anything as long as there is HDTV.
The property manager has the unit across from Tom's. He is a golfer and had several conversations with Tom. Doug has been allowing Tom to use his shower over the weekend until the gas man can come get Tom hooked up.
I called to get the gas hooked up while Tom went to his first day at work. The account had to be put in my name as Tom wasn't with me to say hello to the agent on the phone, hooking up the power in Nevada. I made the appointment for the gas man to come over while Tom was at work. I begged for same day hook up so he wouldn't have to go another night without heat or hot water.
Tom called from his work the apartment manager to unlock the closet where the water heater pilot light needs to be turned on and accessible.It is in the closet between the two apartments. The door was unlocked by someone, but no one was there when the gas man arrived. It turned out the door was an automatic locking door when the door is shut. So after unlocking the door and leaving, the door shut and relocked. When the gas man arrived the door was locked. Tom has to go another night without hot water or heat. The gas company can't get back to him until Wednesday.
I am just glad Tom's next door neighbor, the apartment manager, is so accommodating, or Tom would be pretty stinky for his first few days on the job. Tom makes friends where ever he goes, the manager is a golfer. I am sure they are already arranging Tee times at the closest decent course for Tom's first day off from work. He will be working six tens so Sundays are his day of rest. Tom sent me a picture of the area and noted the blue sky in the background. As soon as he left the weather turned nice here also. Some how we need to figure out how to have these between projects times happen during summer, so Tom can get some golf in with nice weather.
Tom is all set up now at his new location. I'll wait to hear when I can come for conjugal visits, maybe Memorial weekend. I tried so hard to get everything comfortable and ready for Tom. My poor guy is freezing in the desert.
Ski trip
Busy week barely time to breath. Took the boys to the mountains skiing. Trevor had gone the weekend before with his scouting buddy. They had a blast. Trev was pulled over for speeding down the slopes. I warned him this time if he loses his pass that is it, I will not replace it.
My sisters came with their children. First time my NY sister has had her children on skies. They did an hour lesson s day. By the end of three days my 4 year old nephew was getting down the hill by himself. My Dad always said if you start kids young skiing they don't have the fear factor to overcome.
Trevor wore his sun glasses and a fedora on his head. He had on a t shirt and his jacket. You would think he would freeze, but he was more worried about looking cool.
By the end of the weekend we all agreed we wanted to repeat this ski vacation. We stayed at Collins Lake. The Condo was bigger than my sisters two houses put together. There was a great room off to the side that had two double sized bunk beds and two double beds with room to spare and its own bathroom. A kind of giant sleeping porch arrangement. The master and the other bedroom shared another bathroom. The place was well designed for a big ski trip.
I was told by the concierge that summers are even more booked and busy than winters. This place rocked. It had a huge hot hot tub and a big luke warm pool. The kids liked the pool but I could have had it a bit warmer. There was a sauna that was delightfully warm. It was a luxury resort, but worth every penny we wincingly paid.
I brought all the food so we wouldn't have to eat out or deal with that extra expense. Every one supplemented with hot cocoas at the ski lodges or an extra hot dog, but over all we kept the cost to just the resort. Our ski tickets were deep discounted by staying where we did.
I had stayed there before with friends so I knew it was worth it. A good vacation is all in the details.
My boys had a ball. Riley injured his wrist slipping on some icy stairs during the tubing adventures. He ended up in a brace for two weeks and is still trying to make up English assignments from when he couldn't write with his hand.
Trevor hung with my sisters on the slope as he wanted to go FAST. Aunt J was about the only one that would do the speed skiing with him.
I had my knee injury skiing a few years ago so I played hostess. Having breakfast, lunch and dinner ready and prepped for when needed. I was so happy that everyone had a good time. I was the coordinator for this trip so I felt a lot of pressure to make sure everyone got their money's worth. I wanted everyone to go home sated but craving another family ski vacation next year.
My sisters came with their children. First time my NY sister has had her children on skies. They did an hour lesson s day. By the end of three days my 4 year old nephew was getting down the hill by himself. My Dad always said if you start kids young skiing they don't have the fear factor to overcome.
Trevor wore his sun glasses and a fedora on his head. He had on a t shirt and his jacket. You would think he would freeze, but he was more worried about looking cool.
By the end of the weekend we all agreed we wanted to repeat this ski vacation. We stayed at Collins Lake. The Condo was bigger than my sisters two houses put together. There was a great room off to the side that had two double sized bunk beds and two double beds with room to spare and its own bathroom. A kind of giant sleeping porch arrangement. The master and the other bedroom shared another bathroom. The place was well designed for a big ski trip.
I was told by the concierge that summers are even more booked and busy than winters. This place rocked. It had a huge hot hot tub and a big luke warm pool. The kids liked the pool but I could have had it a bit warmer. There was a sauna that was delightfully warm. It was a luxury resort, but worth every penny we wincingly paid.
I brought all the food so we wouldn't have to eat out or deal with that extra expense. Every one supplemented with hot cocoas at the ski lodges or an extra hot dog, but over all we kept the cost to just the resort. Our ski tickets were deep discounted by staying where we did.
I had stayed there before with friends so I knew it was worth it. A good vacation is all in the details.
My boys had a ball. Riley injured his wrist slipping on some icy stairs during the tubing adventures. He ended up in a brace for two weeks and is still trying to make up English assignments from when he couldn't write with his hand.
Trevor hung with my sisters on the slope as he wanted to go FAST. Aunt J was about the only one that would do the speed skiing with him.
I had my knee injury skiing a few years ago so I played hostess. Having breakfast, lunch and dinner ready and prepped for when needed. I was so happy that everyone had a good time. I was the coordinator for this trip so I felt a lot of pressure to make sure everyone got their money's worth. I wanted everyone to go home sated but craving another family ski vacation next year.
Dog gone it
Sorry I haven't written in a while. I got a job selling shoes to diabetics, well really giving them away. In 1993 Congress passed a bill requiring insurance companies to cover the cost of a new pair of shoes and Orthodox for diabetics with foot issues to help prevent the deterioration of their feet. Medicare and Medicaid are on board to pay my fee.
A crisis was occurring with injuries and infections leading to amputations and death. A new pair of shoes helps to keep the diabetic foot healthy. I go to people's homes and fit them. Many of my clients are elderly and have a hard time getting out and about, let alone go shopping for a custom pair of shoes for their feet, especially if they have nerve issues or soars.
I do a medical foot exam in the home and take molds for the Orthodox, and come back in a month with a new pair of shoes that fit the way they should. We also do educational seminars to make people aware of how important it is to care for your feet.
Even the simple every day process of washing and drying a foot well can prevent the spread of fungus that leads to infected nails and the nail falling off leaving an open wound. I could tell you I have seen some feet, but all my visits are confidential. Reminding people to check inside a shoe before putting it on, to see if they might have picked up a rock or pebble they can't feel, can save injury. Putting lotion on a dry chapping foot prevents cracking, split skin, and soars.
Today I had a humorous moment I have to share.
I was picking up an item from a client for a little tweaking for a better fit. We do that. If a shoe or orthotic doesn't feel right, we come back and adjust it or replace it as necessary as part of the package, at no extra fee.
The home had two small yappy dogs. They were all excited when I knocked on the door. It took a while for the owner to reach the door to open it. When the door opened the owner says "don't let the dogs out". but by that time the smaller one had squeezed through the opening. It hadn't wasted a moment to escape. It was attacking my feet and legs. The dog bit me, my pant leg, and my shoe, before taking off across the street. There is no way the owner was in any condition to chase the dog. I sell Orthodox to people with foot issues, remember. I tell her I will go after the dog, even though the dam dog just attacked me before running off. The owner hands me a doggy treat to entice the escapee.
I run after the dog. He is so small he can go under the cars rather than around them. He is having a ball. He pauses to piss on the neighbor's car tires and mail box and garbage can and flower bed. Any time I get close, holding out my little treat calling in a sweet voice "Here dear nice adorable doggy, come for your treat." He knows I just want to call the pound.
The owner stands at the door of the house watching helplessly. The dog finally runs out of fluids. After having me follow him around the block in a little circle, twice, turns for home and runs into his house where the owner is patiently waiting, holding the door open. He never did take the treat, but he sure had a swell time at my expense.
I can tell dogs are going to be an adventure in this business. I had one house where the dog just wanted to sit in my lap, with his nose in my face, while I tried to do the foot exam. Another dog had flea issues. Feet are easy compared to dogs.
A crisis was occurring with injuries and infections leading to amputations and death. A new pair of shoes helps to keep the diabetic foot healthy. I go to people's homes and fit them. Many of my clients are elderly and have a hard time getting out and about, let alone go shopping for a custom pair of shoes for their feet, especially if they have nerve issues or soars.
I do a medical foot exam in the home and take molds for the Orthodox, and come back in a month with a new pair of shoes that fit the way they should. We also do educational seminars to make people aware of how important it is to care for your feet.
Even the simple every day process of washing and drying a foot well can prevent the spread of fungus that leads to infected nails and the nail falling off leaving an open wound. I could tell you I have seen some feet, but all my visits are confidential. Reminding people to check inside a shoe before putting it on, to see if they might have picked up a rock or pebble they can't feel, can save injury. Putting lotion on a dry chapping foot prevents cracking, split skin, and soars.
Today I had a humorous moment I have to share.
I was picking up an item from a client for a little tweaking for a better fit. We do that. If a shoe or orthotic doesn't feel right, we come back and adjust it or replace it as necessary as part of the package, at no extra fee.
The home had two small yappy dogs. They were all excited when I knocked on the door. It took a while for the owner to reach the door to open it. When the door opened the owner says "don't let the dogs out". but by that time the smaller one had squeezed through the opening. It hadn't wasted a moment to escape. It was attacking my feet and legs. The dog bit me, my pant leg, and my shoe, before taking off across the street. There is no way the owner was in any condition to chase the dog. I sell Orthodox to people with foot issues, remember. I tell her I will go after the dog, even though the dam dog just attacked me before running off. The owner hands me a doggy treat to entice the escapee.
I run after the dog. He is so small he can go under the cars rather than around them. He is having a ball. He pauses to piss on the neighbor's car tires and mail box and garbage can and flower bed. Any time I get close, holding out my little treat calling in a sweet voice "Here dear nice adorable doggy, come for your treat." He knows I just want to call the pound.
The owner stands at the door of the house watching helplessly. The dog finally runs out of fluids. After having me follow him around the block in a little circle, twice, turns for home and runs into his house where the owner is patiently waiting, holding the door open. He never did take the treat, but he sure had a swell time at my expense.
I can tell dogs are going to be an adventure in this business. I had one house where the dog just wanted to sit in my lap, with his nose in my face, while I tried to do the foot exam. Another dog had flea issues. Feet are easy compared to dogs.
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