The Card

I got a card in the mail today.  A lovely card.  One of those you never expect; but gives you chills when you read it.  I had to share it.

"Dear Ruth,
I just want to thank you so  very much for letting us have this apt.  You really helped me so much, we had no where to go.  I truly love it here.  I promise to keep it spotless and take good care of it.
Thank you Ruth,  God Bless you.
Debbie & her son Rick"

YES!

Start the Day

There is nothing like starting the day off with a big old load of old, damp, smelly furniture, loaded by moi.  IN fact, I started every day out last week loading old, damp, smelly furniture.

Notice the car that doesn't run parked next to my truck!  Now, to get rid of that.

Fun at Wal-Mart

Yep, that's me having fun at Wal-Mart pushing my cart full of furnace filters, curtain rods, and mini blinds.  Oh, I almost forgot my cleaning supplies and paint.  The cart is so heavy now, I can't push it to the cash register.  You know this almost feels like Work!  I think that it is work.  UGH!

Dumpsters cost $300.

Yep they have moved out.  House is  flea and roach infested.  We burned everything that we could AND filled a 20 yard dumpster. Carpets are ruined, the whole house needs painted and fumigated.  City said we could burn anything we wanted; they were so glad that the tenants left.  The best part about this whole scene is that tenant  left me with an $850. water bill that the city says I have to pay.

It's not my fault the water bill is that high.  I told the city the  last time that this happened to shut the water off  when the bill was larger than the deposit.  I feel that the city should pay the bill.  Of course city does not agree.  Tenants moved out of state.  I may have to get an attorney on this one.  I want to get along but ....... 

I figure it will cost me close to $5,000. to get this property back in condition.

Rent

Called a slow tenant for rent today.  They assured me that they would drop it off at the office tomorrow.  Went in on a Saturday to make sure they did what they said they would do.  Nope!  So, I drive to their home and they have a trailer backed up to the f ront door.  Guess what?  No Rent.  And they are moving.   Gee this has never happened before.  NOT!

Why oh why didn't I continue teaching? I could be retired by now.

Sunday Call

I got my usual call on Sunday.  Of course, it is always an emergency.  I went to check on the 'water is coming out of the ceiling in 3 places and I've got water every where' call.  After checking it out, there was a little drip, handily dripping into the bathroom sink.  We replaced the hot water heater last week which probably caused a fitting to come loose when the water was hooked back up.  The repair will require the opening of a wall to locate the problem.  So I calmed down the tenant, calmed down myself, and alerted the maintenance man to take care of it on Monday.  Back home to my hammock.  Happy Sunday!

It Works

I did one of those things that you only read about in those real estate how-to guru books.   In my 15 years of acquiring real estate this is the first house purchase that I have  done in this manner. 

The sellers did not need the cash.  They accepted my offer to buy on contract for deed with  $2,000. down.  I will be purchasing the house with low interest and pay for it over 10 years with the right to pay off at anytime.

 They are getting a better interest rate than in a CD.  I am paying a lower interest rate than at a bank.  And my out of pocket was only $2,000.    It is a win-win for both of us