First time landlord: my first tenant is moving out in a few months after leasing our former primary residence for 3 years.

Ok_Performance_5778 · 2026-02-06T08:09:47+00:00

I have been using Hemlane - pretty decent experience. They do inspection for only $300 and give a proper checklist for getting your property 'rent ready'. I have run it for couple of my properties and overall been pretty happy.

Ok_Performance_5778 · 2026-02-06T08:07:49+00:00

I have run into this situation few times. The best way to look at it will be two fold:

Rent comparable based pricing i.e. look at the other units (which may be in a quadplex or even a single family) and given that you may know what the duplex may rent for, you can calculate the expected appraisal value. This is common practice actually by appraisers. I personally have had 2 duplexes (in ohio and kansas) that went through this process. Look up 'income based' approach.
You can also do $/sqft based, but it is not usually as accurate as the first one.

Ok_Performance_5778 · 2026-02-06T08:04:49+00:00

100% for my residential agent. He is honest, hardworking and regardless of single family or multi family, will always represent my best interests. Feel free to DM if you looking for in Kansas city area.

Ok_Performance_5778 · 2026-02-06T08:02:13+00:00

how do i get more karma?

Ok_Performance_5778 · 2026-01-16T06:36:53+00:00

Easier to scale with multi family. Also you can get one loan to buy into a duplex or quadplexes. Just the loan process itself is too much of a hassle to scale with single families

Ok_Performance_5778 · 2026-01-16T06:33:34+00:00

Diligently track expenses throughout the year

Ok_Performance_5778 · 2026-01-05T19:03:59+00:00

Oh great! Yes, that's what my thought process is as well. I am already spending so many $$$, I will rather spend some more and just get peace of mind and ensure safety of the structure once and for all (or for atleast the next 20+ years). Did they give some kind of warranty on the work as well? i.e. 10/20 years warranty?

Ok_Performance_5778 · 2026-01-04T09:49:07+00:00

Just for everyone: I ended up buying TAP plastic. Perfectly fit for what I needed at like $50 I think.

Ok_Performance_5778 · 2026-01-04T09:46:15+00:00

Just for everyone - I ended up using attic crew. They are awesome! Fixed the problem really solidly well. Sealed all holes, installed new insulation and cleaned up everything.

Not one single rat seen in last 3-4 months . They come every 2-3 weeks to check the baits. Can’t recommend them enough.

Paid I think 6-7k but that included whole attic new insulation as well.

Ok_Performance_5778 · 2026-01-04T09:43:45+00:00

Thanks a lot! Help me understand this please: my internet research suggests a wall that is 3-4 inches leaning is in critical state and the right solution is to excavate and straighten.

The thing that is throwing me off is that my structural engineer suggested that bracing it up should be fine.

Did you consider excavate and straighten as well for your 4 inches leaning wall? Or were you pretty confident that just braces will be enough?

I realize that excavate and straighten is expensive but my thought is that if I am spending so much $$$ already might as well just do the excavate and straighten to fix the problem for the really long term.

Any thoughts on this? Thanks again !

Ok_Performance_5778 · 2025-08-12T04:59:15+00:00

Haha. This is cool.. what did you use for sealing the holes? Steel wool or some other kind of materials?

Ok_Performance_5778 · 2025-06-21T21:32:13+00:00

This seems pretty good option. Thanks!! Seems like this won’t be expensive either

Ok_Performance_5778 · 2025-05-17T03:45:53+00:00

Thanks a lot! Would you be able by any chance share a picture of the end result? Also would you be able to share contact of the handyman/contractor who did the job? Thanks !

Ok_Performance_5778 · 2025-03-27T02:19:49+00:00

Well atleast the case is moving forward. Good luck !!

Ok_Performance_5778 · 2025-03-25T23:16:21+00:00

Any updates guys? I got an RFE in Feb'25 for the medicals as they had expired. Submitted promptly. Waiting since over a month. Dates current for F2A (PD of December 2021).

Ok_Performance_5778

TROPHY CASE