Today's Bittersweet Gem

Diamond Jim called me out of the blue last week to invite me to breakfast. I knew something was up.

You see, Diamond Jim and I go to breakfast about once a month anyway, but never by way of a formal invite. I usually end up calling him because I have gotten some obscure letter from the Alabama Department of Revenue (I so wish they would stop sending me random letters. Yes! I pay my taxes! No! I don't owe them.) or I bump into him at his office because I am there using his landlord's scanner. Our conversations go like this:

DJ: "Are you going to be hungry next week?"
Me: "I think I could be hungry on Tuesday.
DJ: "Better make it Wednesday. I am up to my neck in letter writing with the Alabama Department of Revenue.

So, Diamond Jim actually calling with a formal invitation was a bit unnerving.

I must say, however, I am really glad I have reached a point in my life where I can have friends the same age as my parents. Friends who are cool. And I am glad Diamond Jim can have friends the same age as his daughter--and those friends aren't 11 years old in his eyes. Because of him I can even stomach longish talks about college football.

Sort of.

But, back to our breakfast. Diamond Jim announced he is doing the inevitable. He is retiring after next tax season. Actually he tried to retire a few years ago, but it didn't turn out the way he planned. This time he is really, really, and for true retiring. In fact, he is even selling his house this time and moving out of state.

Though I will miss my dear friend, I know it is time for him to do this. But Diamond Jim is ready to enjoy his golden years, free of tax loopholes and the incompetency of the Alabama Department of Revenue.  I wish him all the best.

Holding My Breath

Now I don't want to jinx anything here, but there is a chance I might have gotten one of my three vacant properties rented.

Please cross your fingers and toes.

Today's Helpful Tip

If you are ever in the market to buy an investment property, be sure to ask for the prorated rents and non-refundable deposits in your purchase agreement (if the home in question is already rented).

Because if you don't--and especially if I am the selling agent--I am not going to just give them to you after the fact. No matter how many names you might call me and even if you threaten to call the Department of Real Estate.

Tornadoes and Bankruptcy

Apparently tornadoes have been running rampant in the South again. Of course, this is odd, given the time of year. Leeds and Moody--where two of my homes are currently (hopefully) sitting were affected. So far no word on either of my tenants.

And a special thanks to Carolsue for once again keeping me posted.

One little tid-bit I found out on vacation was that Jefferson County declared bankruptcy. Birmingham is in Jefferson County. I wasn't surprised, as Jeff County was in trouble for years for mis-managing their revenues. I am curious what the outcome of this will look like. Probably higher taxes for me. Probably a lower quality of life for my tenants.

Somehow this seems scarier than a tornado.

Random Bama

Apparently word didn't get out that I was here for a week or two (give or take several days at the over-merchandised Florida theme parks):

And while I was gone, lots of fun-fun things happened.

Mario called me to pow-wow the home on Hysteria Lane. This is the home that has been vacant since June, Kirby swore couldn't be rented for any less than $400 lower than the rent I had been getting on it for several years. Kirby also swore the place was immaculate.

Kirby was right. The place is immaculate. However, Kirby did miss the Winney the Pool wall paper the last tenants had plastered on the wall and the dings and dents that needed attention. During my Mario pow-wow, he told me these needed to be handled to make the place attractive. When I asked him for a rental price, he told me what I had been asking for rent on this house for the past seven years was right in line with market.

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Speaking of Kirby (and I am trying to keep my attitude in check here), the two other homes I have entrusted in with are not rented. I will pause here while you all collect yourselves, because I know you are absolutely astonished at this news. Take your time...

The reason I haven't given Mario these two homes is that Mario hasn't proven himself yet either. It is one thing to tell me the kiddie wall paper must go, it is another to find me a renter.

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And also speaking of Kirby, the tenant on Waterford lane needs a new furnace. Oh yay me. Kirby sweetly gave me three choices: Option 1: pricey band-aid; Option 2: pricier but what probably needs to happen and Option 3: the HVAC guy has a great time in Paris for New Year's, courtesy of me.

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And speaking of HVAC systems, apparently Mr. Little got a new one while we were gone. I knew he was supposed to. He lives in the house Jack and I own together, but nobody has mentioned anything to me if it happened. And, because Mr. Little hasn't sent me a screaming e-mail saying he is freezing, I will assume it has been finished until I hear otherwise. I have to wonder though, how did this unit break? Was it a parting gift from Haroldine on her way out the door? The house isn't that old and the four previous tenants I have had there never said a word about the system not working.

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And speaking of previous tenants, while I was gone one of my former tenants sent me an odd letter. She told me to stop "harassing her." She said she admits she owes me money, but I am not to contact her any more. This was surprising to me, as I have never contacted her and never planned on it. My guess is someone in a legal aide type position told her to write letters to her creditors. As I am not pursuing her, I found this to be a bit odd she took the time and energy to do this.

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And finally, I received the loan modification docs from the bank. Marty signed them and they were sent out today.