Marty Sunshine has an appointment in less than an hour to sign the refinance documents for our home in Grayson Valley. This is a significant step in fixing the issues with this house Jack dumped on us.
Now to find a qualified tenant.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
For the Record, I am Playing Hooky
I just got an e-mail notifying me I was attending the following Webinar. Apparently someone signed me up and felt this would be a benefit to my career. Now, I am not pointing fingers or anything, but it smells like my broker is up to something.
WORKING WITH RENTERS!!!!!
Attend this session and see how! Renters need you more than ever in this market.
_________________
LEARN TO EFFECTIVELY QUALIFY RENTERS!
GET THEM TO IDENTIFY THE PROPERTY IN NO MORE THAN 2 SHOWING SESSIONS!
UNDERSTAND THE LEASE AGREEMENT AND DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTS!
TIPS FOR SUBMITTING THE AGREEMENT!
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Three Litte Words
I am still trying to refinance the house in Grayson Valley. Though this has been going on for two months, I have hope, as the bank is asking for new random items that I need to compile. This past week I have been jumping through the hoops, begging (and loosing, and rebegging) Bliz for the random items they have asked for once again (the list is getting redundant).
In the process of doing so, we came to realize we weren't getting a mortgage statement for our Pinson home. So, I called the mortgage company for the Pinson home, and found out a few tidbits: 1) I have been paying the wrong amount. 2) they have been sending "e-statements" to some random e-mail address for the past several months. However, it wasn't my old e-mail address or my new e-mail address. Nor did I (or Bliz) authorize this.
To add insult to injury, I was on the phone with them this morning long enough for my kids to run wild when I finally found this out. And, when I inquired as to why someone had opted to send us e-statements, the customer service rep stated (with presumably a straight face) it was done to "save time and hassle."
At this point, my patience was at an all-time low. While this was going on, I stumbled into the kitchen to find dear, independent and clever Buckaroo, who was in the process of mixing powdered milk and water into a plastic bag and was packing it as part of our sack lunch for our outing today. He was having a difficult time and now powdered milk was now on every single surface in my kitchen, making the counters look like a winter wonderland. Couple that with spending an hour on the phone only to find out that the mortgage company had purposely caused the hassle I was experiencing.
I couldn't help myself. I said "Bless your heart" to the customer service rep before I could stop. And frankly, I meant it.
In the process of doing so, we came to realize we weren't getting a mortgage statement for our Pinson home. So, I called the mortgage company for the Pinson home, and found out a few tidbits: 1) I have been paying the wrong amount. 2) they have been sending "e-statements" to some random e-mail address for the past several months. However, it wasn't my old e-mail address or my new e-mail address. Nor did I (or Bliz) authorize this.
To add insult to injury, I was on the phone with them this morning long enough for my kids to run wild when I finally found this out. And, when I inquired as to why someone had opted to send us e-statements, the customer service rep stated (with presumably a straight face) it was done to "save time and hassle."
At this point, my patience was at an all-time low. While this was going on, I stumbled into the kitchen to find dear, independent and clever Buckaroo, who was in the process of mixing powdered milk and water into a plastic bag and was packing it as part of our sack lunch for our outing today. He was having a difficult time and now powdered milk was now on every single surface in my kitchen, making the counters look like a winter wonderland. Couple that with spending an hour on the phone only to find out that the mortgage company had purposely caused the hassle I was experiencing.
I couldn't help myself. I said "Bless your heart" to the customer service rep before I could stop. And frankly, I meant it.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Probably Not a Failure
Saturday afternoon, Marty Sunshine and I sat in Diamond Jim's office while I signed the final tax return for our now-defunct accidental business. Silent emotions set in, my hand shaking and my lip quivering as I signed away. I decided crying in front of my 70 year old accountant was not in good form. Even if it is Diamond Jim.
Marty has continually reminded me closing down our now-defunct corporation is a strategic decision, not a failure. The business no longer serves the purpose it was designed to serve. We don't hold mortgages for our tenants any more. The housing market tanked. Kirby and Mario handle most of the day-to-day management for our rentals--which we still have. Bliz has comforted me with similar sentiments. Both are repeating the words I have said before: essentially, it is not a failure to close our virtual doors.
But right now it feels smack dab like a major failure. My failure.
I will eventually get over my sadness. We have a lot of changes happening around here at the Sunshine homestead that are providing unique challenges for our future. And perhaps, as time goes on, I will come to think of letting go of the accidental business as a major relief.
And not a failure.
Marty has continually reminded me closing down our now-defunct corporation is a strategic decision, not a failure. The business no longer serves the purpose it was designed to serve. We don't hold mortgages for our tenants any more. The housing market tanked. Kirby and Mario handle most of the day-to-day management for our rentals--which we still have. Bliz has comforted me with similar sentiments. Both are repeating the words I have said before: essentially, it is not a failure to close our virtual doors.
But right now it feels smack dab like a major failure. My failure.
I will eventually get over my sadness. We have a lot of changes happening around here at the Sunshine homestead that are providing unique challenges for our future. And perhaps, as time goes on, I will come to think of letting go of the accidental business as a major relief.
And not a failure.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Please Leave Me Alone
Every year, because it is required, I pay the Alabama Department of Revenue an extortion fee to do business in their state. For each LLC, the cost is $100. For my now-defunct corporation, it is $110.
I have been doing this for 10 years. And, each year, the Alabama Department of Revenue throws a dart at some random LLC or now-defunct corporation of mine and then sends a letter, accusing me of not paying them what I owe.
They played this game two years in a row with my now-defunct corporation. The second year, I wrote them back (I always write them back with the copy of the cancelled check), explaining that I have better things to do than play this little game and perhaps they could have someone possibly file my extortion fee correctly in the future and save us a bit of trouble?
The following year, the Alabama Department of Revenue went after an LLC of mine that had not been around for several years. That particular LLC was bought out by the LLC Mr. and Mrs. Partner own with us. At the time, when we had filed the final taxes for that LLC, we wrote a nice little letter saying, "This is our last tax return for this LLC, and you can now find us at XYZ LLC."
This severely confused the Alabama Department of Revenue, who THREE YEARS LATER began sending me letters saying "You owe us money. Pay up." At first I did reasonable things, like re-submitting my tax returns, pointing out where I told them it was my last tax return to them (there is a checked box for this), and once again explaining what happened to those homes.
That wasn't good enough. They wrote back.
And then I wrote back.
And then they wrote back.
And then Diamond Jim wrote back.
And then they wrote back again.
And then I put in big red letters on the outside of the envelope, "Return to sender. No such business at this address"--which was true. And that pretty much stopped them in their tracks.
At that point, the Alabama Department of Revenue came up with a new target: the LLC Marty and I own with Mr. and Mrs. Partner. This time they swore I did not pay my extortion fee for the 2011 tax season. Although I complied to each letter last year, giving them a copy of the cancelled check (showing not only was it paid, but that they cashed the check prior to April 15, 2012), they still levied a fine: $2.10 for my alleged tardiness.
This past week, Diamond Jim completed my K-1 for this LLC. To the front of the tax return, I repeatedly stapled (and photo copied) the check I sent them. Also to the front of the tax return, I sent them one more letter explaining how I am tired of this game and once in for all, could they please not loose my check and possibly appropriate the money correctly and save me the hassle and headache of having to research their incompetence at a later date? Except I didn't say incompetence.
I did suggest there were better things they could do with their time. And to please, please leave me alone.
I have been doing this for 10 years. And, each year, the Alabama Department of Revenue throws a dart at some random LLC or now-defunct corporation of mine and then sends a letter, accusing me of not paying them what I owe.
They played this game two years in a row with my now-defunct corporation. The second year, I wrote them back (I always write them back with the copy of the cancelled check), explaining that I have better things to do than play this little game and perhaps they could have someone possibly file my extortion fee correctly in the future and save us a bit of trouble?
The following year, the Alabama Department of Revenue went after an LLC of mine that had not been around for several years. That particular LLC was bought out by the LLC Mr. and Mrs. Partner own with us. At the time, when we had filed the final taxes for that LLC, we wrote a nice little letter saying, "This is our last tax return for this LLC, and you can now find us at XYZ LLC."
This severely confused the Alabama Department of Revenue, who THREE YEARS LATER began sending me letters saying "You owe us money. Pay up." At first I did reasonable things, like re-submitting my tax returns, pointing out where I told them it was my last tax return to them (there is a checked box for this), and once again explaining what happened to those homes.
That wasn't good enough. They wrote back.
And then I wrote back.
And then they wrote back.
And then Diamond Jim wrote back.
And then they wrote back again.
And then I put in big red letters on the outside of the envelope, "Return to sender. No such business at this address"--which was true. And that pretty much stopped them in their tracks.
At that point, the Alabama Department of Revenue came up with a new target: the LLC Marty and I own with Mr. and Mrs. Partner. This time they swore I did not pay my extortion fee for the 2011 tax season. Although I complied to each letter last year, giving them a copy of the cancelled check (showing not only was it paid, but that they cashed the check prior to April 15, 2012), they still levied a fine: $2.10 for my alleged tardiness.
This past week, Diamond Jim completed my K-1 for this LLC. To the front of the tax return, I repeatedly stapled (and photo copied) the check I sent them. Also to the front of the tax return, I sent them one more letter explaining how I am tired of this game and once in for all, could they please not loose my check and possibly appropriate the money correctly and save me the hassle and headache of having to research their incompetence at a later date? Except I didn't say incompetence.
I did suggest there were better things they could do with their time. And to please, please leave me alone.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Magnatism
I got an e-mail from Mr. Former Wonderful Tenant. Granted, he was e-mailing me to inform me he received his security deposit back from me (which I knew because he cashed the check). How sweet! Even during tax season he managed to say hello. He even told me to keep in touch.
Saturday, April 06, 2013
A Modest Proposal
I have two homes in the quiet suburb of Calera, AL. The home on Hysteria Lane is managed by Mario. The one in Waterford is managed by Kirby.
Last Monday, the tenant in Waterford gave his notice. Frankly, I was a bit surprised. Though he is month-to-month (and has been for the past year and a half) he had just asked to put down tile flooring in the kitchen, so I figured he was staying a while. When I asked why they were moving, Kirby said they need a bigger place.
On Wednesday, the tenant on Hysteria Lane e-mailed Mario saying her lease was up in May and she wanted to "renegotiate." Apparently "renegotiate" means she wants another lease at a $300 a month reduction. Good for her! I want a mortgage payment at $300 less too.
When Mario sent this to me, he said something of the lines of "I am sure we can talk her into a two year lease if you do this." I am sure I could, if it were financially possible. For that matter, this is a pretty big house. A $300 rent reduction is like giving away the home. However, at this point, all I really want is to keep the homes rented.
And, in that vein, I came up with the only solution I thought reasonable. I e-mailed them both, and suggested the tenants change homes. I have no idea if this is a good idea or not. But, it seemed like a plausible solution to me.
So far I haven't heard from either Mario or Kirby (though Kirby is better at getting back to me, he still isn't winning any awards for timeliness. In fact, while I Birmingham, I mentioned I was going to e-mail him in April, and would expect a response back by June. He laughed, good natured. But I was serious). But, I figure it is a win-win for both. Both of them get the homes rented quickly. Both of them will have approved tenants from the landlord (me) and I won't have vacancies for any great length of time. Hopefully the tenants will see it my way as well.
Last Monday, the tenant in Waterford gave his notice. Frankly, I was a bit surprised. Though he is month-to-month (and has been for the past year and a half) he had just asked to put down tile flooring in the kitchen, so I figured he was staying a while. When I asked why they were moving, Kirby said they need a bigger place.
On Wednesday, the tenant on Hysteria Lane e-mailed Mario saying her lease was up in May and she wanted to "renegotiate." Apparently "renegotiate" means she wants another lease at a $300 a month reduction. Good for her! I want a mortgage payment at $300 less too.
When Mario sent this to me, he said something of the lines of "I am sure we can talk her into a two year lease if you do this." I am sure I could, if it were financially possible. For that matter, this is a pretty big house. A $300 rent reduction is like giving away the home. However, at this point, all I really want is to keep the homes rented.
And, in that vein, I came up with the only solution I thought reasonable. I e-mailed them both, and suggested the tenants change homes. I have no idea if this is a good idea or not. But, it seemed like a plausible solution to me.
So far I haven't heard from either Mario or Kirby (though Kirby is better at getting back to me, he still isn't winning any awards for timeliness. In fact, while I Birmingham, I mentioned I was going to e-mail him in April, and would expect a response back by June. He laughed, good natured. But I was serious). But, I figure it is a win-win for both. Both of them get the homes rented quickly. Both of them will have approved tenants from the landlord (me) and I won't have vacancies for any great length of time. Hopefully the tenants will see it my way as well.
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
The Birmingham Carpet Connection (Cash Only)
On Saturday, when James the Hell's Angel Turned Carpet Installer (cash only) called me to tell me about a leaking hot water heater, he promised he had a plumber who could help me out and offered to call me Monday and give me his number. James was being so sweet about it, and seemed to genuinely care about my predicament, that I just didn't have the heart to turn him down.
However, I have a plumber. A good plumber. One I trust. One who bills me. One who probably would make a Saturday call if I needed him to, but would prefer not to pester him unless it is necessary. For the most part a leaking hot water heater in a vacant home (where presumably James turned off the water), isn't an emergency.
Monday morning James the Hell's Angel Turned Carpet Installer (cash only) made good on his promise. He called me at 6 ^*%$&(* a.m. to give me the name of, as he put it, "the best plumber in Birmingham." It turns out as luck would have it, his plumber and mine are one in the same.
However, I have a plumber. A good plumber. One I trust. One who bills me. One who probably would make a Saturday call if I needed him to, but would prefer not to pester him unless it is necessary. For the most part a leaking hot water heater in a vacant home (where presumably James turned off the water), isn't an emergency.
Monday morning James the Hell's Angel Turned Carpet Installer (cash only) made good on his promise. He called me at 6 ^*%$&(* a.m. to give me the name of, as he put it, "the best plumber in Birmingham." It turns out as luck would have it, his plumber and mine are one in the same.
Monday, April 01, 2013
The Day Is Here
Despite the adage, March actually went in like a lion and out like a rabid mother bear missing her cub. I am happy it is over.
Good riddance.
Though it is the wee hours of April I have seriously valid concerns April is waltzing in like a den of cranky rattlesnakes. I still wish for better. But for now, at this snapshot in time, there is peace in my world because baseball starts today!
As far as I am concerned, nothing can be all that bad if there is a baseball game around somewhere. In fact, keeping in tradition, I am meeting my brother and two friends to watch the game. Here's hoping for a reasonably sane April and a winning baseball season.
Though it is the wee hours of April I have seriously valid concerns April is waltzing in like a den of cranky rattlesnakes. I still wish for better. But for now, at this snapshot in time, there is peace in my world because baseball starts today!
As far as I am concerned, nothing can be all that bad if there is a baseball game around somewhere. In fact, keeping in tradition, I am meeting my brother and two friends to watch the game. Here's hoping for a reasonably sane April and a winning baseball season.
I found this little gem the other day.
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." --Robers Hornsby
For those of you who may not appreciate baseball, that's ok. It is just a matter of time.
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