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WHEW! SHE'S GONE!

By Diane Rice

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL 481.010183

February 25, 2007 01:55 PM

I suppose we've seen just about ALL of it in Property Management:

the tenant from hell
the tenant from heaven
the sob story
the slob story
the slum lord
the good lord
the squatters
the plotters
the pleaders
the cheaters

.....and the list goes on.....

We are thankful for the lessons we've learned which have assisted us in becoming wiser stewards over the properties we manage for others. The excitement of renting to a grateful tenant seeking a nice place to live is still with us. It's what we enjoy!

We answer the phones with anticipation of interviewing yet another family, couple, or single person. We are optimists and expect the right match for our home or apartment, understanding the plight and perspective of the renter. Our telephone answering policy prompts us to "sound" friendly! We want the renter to have a great experience when dialing Rice Property Management! Some have called looking to lease, and end up purchasing a home instead, as we prepare and guide them through the steps. There are GOOD tenants out there and we have our share!

Then there are the ones that leave the place like this:

The GOOD news:

1) We are able to recoup damages
2) The house can be salvaged
3) We did not have to spend money to evict
4) The Security Deposit covered some of the expense
5) We've seen MUCH worse!

WHEW! SHE'S GONE!

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Diane Rice

Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL

SFR, SRES, CNC

Her boyfriend made her do it....????

Feb 25, 2007 02:01 PM

Jennifer Fivelsdal

JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY

Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Diane all I can say is that being a property manager can't be easy. How often do you have to repair an a[partment after evicting someone?

Feb 25, 2007 02:07 PM

Diane Rice

Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL

SFR, SRES, CNC

Jennifer, It's rewarding more times than not.....it's when the bad one slips in..... that's when we get our workout! In answer to your question, we do not have many repairs from an eviction IF we move on them right away. We have to get authorization from the owner to evict, and if he/she allows them to sit....there is a possibility of more repairs. Thanks for asking.

Feb 25, 2007 02:32 PM

Lola Audu

Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI

Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Diane, You have my respect and admiration. I tried being a landlord twice and realized in one situation that I did not have the emotional fortitude to deal with clients of the sort described above. Fortunately, my second experience was a very good sitation and they left the home in great shape. You never quite know what is going to manifest after the keys have been turned over do you?

Feb 26, 2007 02:35 AM

Diane Rice

Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL

SFR, SRES, CNC

Hi Lola, no you don't. Some of the most immaculate "looking" tenants are the filthiest! We do know we've been marked for this, and realize many cannot fill this position. When we first began, we were frustrated ...until we bcame "hep to the beat". Property Management is needed....we are "it" for now.

In our other business, we paint, clean, and do carpet cleaning.....at times we are called in to do "creative miracles"!!!! Now, there's another way of looking at this: "their filth is our money"......this is how we become "filthy rich"! (smile)

Glad to hear you did have at least one success at land lording! Thanks for sharing.

Feb 26, 2007 03:24 AM

Diane Rice

Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL

SFR, SRES, CNC

Yes, Eloise if i lingered, i'd miss the big picture. Thanks for the comment.

Feb 26, 2007 04:02 PM

Virginia Halter

RE/MAX Signature Properties - Harrisburg, NC

ABR, CDPE, CRS, GREEN, SFR, SRES

Boy, I almost missed this one. You said it right. You don;t have to spend the money to evict. that process can ring you dry. It looks like (from the photos) you will be able to get a good cleaning crew in an d cover much of it. Great positive mental outlook you have.

Feb 27, 2007 09:02 AM

Diane Rice

Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL

SFR, SRES, CNC

Thank you Virginia! Yes, one must stay positive in this business otherwise you have no business in this business! I appreciate your comment!

Feb 27, 2007 01:28 PM

Ray Nellum

Envision Real Estate Group, LLC. - Fort Smith, AR

Fort Smith Real Estate

Diane,

That is not an easy job! I'll bet that at times it is an emotional roller coaster! The right one will come along and it will be for the better. Good Luck.

Mar 01, 2007 03:43 AM

Diane Rice

Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL

SFR, SRES, CNC

HEY RAY!!! Where ya been? You want to know the truth? It's not that bad.....as long as i make sure i've got the right one....then look early for the "signs of slipping" and hop on it right away - it's usually all good! Thanks for your input!

Mar 01, 2007 12:24 PM

Karen McDaniel

Property Management Profile LLC - Waterbury, CT

I can do better than those pics. There's something to be said for taken action when the red flag are flying. My property was under my Property manager supervision (i'm out-of-state investor) the whole time this tenant was residing there. After her first 3 months in there she became a habitual "pay rent late" tenant. The PM renew her for another 1 yr. lease even after I told them NOT TO. (Note, my PM makes more money when a tenant is late..they get all the late fees $100 and they charge me all fees for filing etc. As the owner, I was totally screwed.

Shortly before the Marshall arrives for eviction, fire broke out in the house...tenant was home...no injuries. Insurance company investigates and concludes fires is suspicuos and looked to be intentionally set in master bdrm. 25k worth of damage

Thank God for insurance..they picked up the bill. My lose: 10 months lose rent...10k and rising....still no tenant at present. Property manager: They will never manage another one of my properties.

Wish I could share the pics but don't know how to attach them here. I'm sure you can use your imagination

Jul 18, 2007 04:21 AM

Steven Shewell

Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc. - Ephrata, PA

The Mortgage Maverick

Property management is never easy. You are the front person for any complaints from the tenants and you are constantly having to chase people down for money.

That is the main reason I stopped doing it years ago. I have too much going on to have the time to be someone's whipping post. I don't envy you at all!

Jul 18, 2007 08:14 AM

Diane Rice

Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL

SFR, SRES, CNC

Karen: I REALLY DO understand HOW you feel! Usually owners CALL US after they've had an experience similiar to what you've just shared. When the Property Manager and the Owner do not fit.... it's time to part company! I've been on BOTH ends. The GOOD news for you is: "lesson learned".... move on! Be encouraged!

Jul 18, 2007 08:42 AM

Diane Rice

Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL

SFR, SRES, CNC

Steven: We have learned MUCH in this business and have become more selective in properties we decide to take on. We also "weed out" We understand that we are NOT the Management Company for EVERYONE and REFUSE to be disrespected!!! In the beginning, we were the "whipping post" as you described...... but NOT ANYMORE!!! We have credibility in the business, a track record, good references, and plenty of referrals. Even our OWN TENANTS recommend us! One should not be in this business if it's a nag and not enjoyable! Thanks for sharing!

Jul 18, 2007 08:52 AM