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bushes that bloom often
I'm in need of some landscaping and would like to add color and size.
I'm in Atlanta, 7b, piedmont. Mostly that seems to come down to crape myrtle, but I was in Lowes and saw an azalea blooming. Unknown to me they have varieties that bloom spring through fall. Any recommendations? I'm doing some real estate investing and am buying a couple of starter houses (as rentals) on some very hilly terrain. These two have never been landscaped (built in the 60's) so it's an open slate. I think I may have some spots for hydrangeas and swamp hibiscus, mostly though, lots of sun. Should be fun... It's a buyers market, sellers are getting killed. Jeff |
bushes that bloom often
In article ,
Jeff Thies wrote: I'm in need of some landscaping and would like to add color and size. I'm in Atlanta, 7b, piedmont. Mostly that seems to come down to crape myrtle, but I was in Lowes and saw an azalea blooming. Unknown to me they have varieties that bloom spring through fall. Any recommendations? http://shrubs.suite101.com/article.cfm/kerria_japonica I have a double and a single yellow. Also a single white. Easy to propagate. -- Bill S. Jersey USA zone 5 shade garden globalvoicesonline.org |
bushes that bloom often
On Wed, 18 Aug 2010 07:57:34 -0400, Jeff Thies
wrote: I'm in need of some landscaping and would like to add color and size. I'm in Atlanta, 7b, piedmont. Mostly that seems to come down to crape myrtle, but I was in Lowes and saw an azalea blooming. Unknown to me they have varieties that bloom spring through fall. Any recommendations? I'm doing some real estate investing and am buying a couple of starter houses (as rentals) on some very hilly terrain. These two have never been landscaped (built in the 60's) so it's an open slate. I think I may have some spots for hydrangeas and swamp hibiscus, mostly though, lots of sun. Should be fun... It's a buyers market, sellers are getting killed. You don't want to do landscaping for tenants... maybe one low maintenence shade tree, and strong fencing to keep vehicles on the paved area. |
bushes that bloom often
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bushes that bloom often
On 8/18/10 4:57 AM, Jeff Thies wrote:
I'm in need of some landscaping and would like to add color and size. I'm in Atlanta, 7b, piedmont. Mostly that seems to come down to crape myrtle, but I was in Lowes and saw an azalea blooming. Unknown to me they have varieties that bloom spring through fall. Any recommendations? I'm doing some real estate investing and am buying a couple of starter houses (as rentals) on some very hilly terrain. These two have never been landscaped (built in the 60's) so it's an open slate. I think I may have some spots for hydrangeas and swamp hibiscus, mostly though, lots of sun. Should be fun... It's a buyers market, sellers are getting killed. Jeff roses, gardenias, tree mallows Also consider perennials: daylilies, alstroemeria, Shasta daisies -- David E. Ross Climate: California Mediterranean Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19) Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary |
bushes that bloom often
Cheryl Isaak wrote:
"brooklyn1" wrote: Jeff Thies wrote: I'm in need of some landscaping I'm doing some real estate investing and am buying a couple of starter houses (as rentals) You don't want to do landscaping for tenants... maybe one low maintenence shade tree, and strong fencing to keep vehicles on the paved area. I disagree. A good long term tenant likes to have a little eye candy in the yard. Encourage him/her to add their own touches. Good, let them hang curtains, and clean the terlit... tenants are tenants for a reason, they are not responsible. There's no way to know how long a tenant will stay (there's no way the tenant knows how long they will stay) and the vast majority are very transient, that's just the nature of the beast, no prospective tenant ever tells the truth about why they are moving, they often don't have the foggiest idea about why they are moving other than they couldn't pay rent at the last place. Other than non payment of rent the two most popular reasons why a tenant is moving is due to change of employment or a divorce/separation (two good reasons to be short of cash). And even those who stay a couple three years (the outside of long term) rarely will do any landscape maintenence, most won't remember to water their own potted plants. I've had rental properties for more than forty years, often as many as a dozen at a time, and at nearly 70 years old I still have a couple of rental properties. I never expect a tenant to tend to the outside, I'm happy to have the rent paid and that they don't destroy the place. There's money to be made with rental property but expecting tenants to do any maintenance is the last of priorities, tenants are far more likely to be abusive because it's not their property, folks don't treat rental cars very well either. Tenants resent paying rent, tenants don't like that they're tenants, they're tenants because if they want a roof they have no other choice... they are not going to spend any money or make any effort to improve the landlord's property. And in fact I don't like tenants to be long term, better they leave after a year, or two at the most. Tenants are typically on their best behaviour early on but at about a year they begin to act like they own the place and the landlord is the interloper. I don't let my tenants dig in the ground, they'd just make a mess... if they want to landscape they need to buy their own property... if they want to garden I tell them to buy a pot and keep it on a paved area. Now I do all the rental landscape maintenance but previously when I had more properties I hired a professional or the condo association did. I strongly suggest that anyone contemplating becoming a landlord that they make sure their head is screwed on correctly and divest themselves of any pie in the sky altruistic attitude... the reality is that you own the property and have all the responsibility, the tenant owns nothing and couldn't care less about what's not theirs... the first time they can't pay the rent (and it will happen) you'll believe me... all tenant's actually believe that they should be permitted to owe the rent the same as they owe on everything else that they put on plastic that eventually they never pay. Anyone who thinks a tenant is going to buy a lawnmower is nuts, even if you give them a lawnmower and the fuel they still won't mow, they'll probably sell the mower and say someone stole it... you really don't want a rental property that has a lawn anyway... the best rental properties are condos (no outside maintenance) or are a simple house on minimal land, just barely enough side yard for a walking path and with a postage stamp yard. Now my rental house is on the property where I live and I do whatever needs to be done outside... my other property has no residence, it's a 90 acre hay field that I rent to a farmer who raises beef on his land two properties down the road, he does the haying and pays my taxes... meanwhile in seven years that property has appreciated, very conservatively, threefold. Investing in rental property is a lot more involved than most people imagine, you had best have a great sense of humor and a cast iron temperment. |
bushes that bloom often
In article ,
brooklyn1 wrote: Cheryl Isaak wrote: "brooklyn1" wrote: Jeff Thies wrote: I'm in need of some landscaping I'm doing some real estate investing and am buying a couple of starter houses (as rentals) You don't want to do landscaping for tenants... maybe one low maintenence shade tree, and strong fencing to keep vehicles on the paved area. I disagree. A good long term tenant likes to have a little eye candy in the yard. Encourage him/her to add their own touches. Good, let them hang curtains, and clean the terlit... tenants are tenants for a reason, they are not responsible. There's no way to know how long a tenant will stay (there's no way the tenant knows how long they will stay) and the vast majority are very transient, that's just the nature of the beast, no prospective tenant ever tells the truth about why they are moving, they often don't have the foggiest idea about why they are moving other than they couldn't pay rent at the last place. Other than non payment of rent the two most popular reasons why a tenant is moving is due to change of employment or a divorce/separation (two good reasons to be short of cash). And even those who stay a couple three years (the outside of long term) rarely will do any landscape maintenence, most won't remember to water their own potted plants. I've had rental properties for more than forty years, often as many as a dozen at a time, and at nearly 70 years old I still have a couple of rental properties. I never expect a tenant to tend to the outside, I'm happy to have the rent paid and that they don't destroy the place. There's money to be made with rental property but expecting tenants to do any maintenance is the last of priorities, tenants are far more likely to be abusive because it's not their property, folks don't treat rental cars very well either. Tenants resent paying rent, tenants don't like that they're tenants, they're tenants because if they want a roof they have no other choice... they are not going to spend any money or make any effort to improve the landlord's property. And in fact I don't like tenants to be long term, better they leave after a year, or two at the most. Tenants are typically on their best behaviour early on but at about a year they begin to act like they own the place and the landlord is the interloper. I don't let my tenants dig in the ground, they'd just make a mess... if they want to landscape they need to buy their own property... if they want to garden I tell them to buy a pot and keep it on a paved area. Now I do all the rental landscape maintenance but previously when I had more properties I hired a professional or the condo association did. I strongly suggest that anyone contemplating becoming a landlord that they make sure their head is screwed on correctly and divest themselves of any pie in the sky altruistic attitude... the reality is that you own the property and have all the responsibility, the tenant owns nothing and couldn't care less about what's not theirs... the first time they can't pay the rent (and it will happen) you'll believe me... all tenant's actually believe that they should be permitted to owe the rent the same as they owe on everything else that they put on plastic that eventually they never pay. Anyone who thinks a tenant is going to buy a lawnmower is nuts, even if you give them a lawnmower and the fuel they still won't mow, they'll probably sell the mower and say someone stole it... you really don't want a rental property that has a lawn anyway... the best rental properties are condos (no outside maintenance) or are a simple house on minimal land, just barely enough side yard for a walking path and with a postage stamp yard. Now my rental house is on the property where I live and I do whatever needs to be done outside... my other property has no residence, it's a 90 acre hay field that I rent to a farmer who raises beef on his land two properties down the road, he does the haying and pays my taxes... meanwhile in seven years that property has appreciated, very conservatively, threefold. Investing in rental property is a lot more involved than most people imagine, you had best have a great sense of humor and a cast iron temperment. http://www.financialcrisis2009.org/f...te/Are-the-ten ants-right-217283.htm I lean towards trying to encourage gardening ideals. But it is a business still. -- Bill S. Jersey USA zone 5 shade garden globalvoicesonline.org |
bushes that bloom often
On 8/18/10 9:21 AM, Bill who putters wrote:
In article , brooklyn1 wrote: Cheryl Isaak wrote: "brooklyn1" wrote: Jeff Thies wrote: I'm in need of some landscaping I'm doing some real estate investing and am buying a couple of starter houses (as rentals) You don't want to do landscaping for tenants... maybe one low maintenence shade tree, and strong fencing to keep vehicles on the paved area. I disagree. A good long term tenant likes to have a little eye candy in the yard. Encourage him/her to add their own touches. Good, let them hang curtains, and clean the terlit... tenants are tenants for a reason, they are not responsible. There's no way to know how long a tenant will stay (there's no way the tenant knows how long they will stay) and the vast majority are very transient, that's just the nature of the beast, no prospective tenant ever tells the truth about why they are moving, they often don't have the foggiest idea about why they are moving other than they couldn't pay rent at the last place. Other than non payment of rent the two most popular reasons why a tenant is moving is due to change of employment or a divorce/separation (two good reasons to be short of cash). And even those who stay a couple three years (the outside of long term) rarely will do any landscape maintenence, most won't remember to water their own potted plants. I've had rental properties for more than forty years, often as many as a dozen at a time, and at nearly 70 years old I still have a couple of rental properties. I never expect a tenant to tend to the outside, I'm happy to have the rent paid and that they don't destroy the place. There's money to be made with rental property but expecting tenants to do any maintenance is the last of priorities, tenants are far more likely to be abusive because it's not their property, folks don't treat rental cars very well either. Tenants resent paying rent, tenants don't like that they're tenants, they're tenants because if they want a roof they have no other choice... they are not going to spend any money or make any effort to improve the landlord's property. And in fact I don't like tenants to be long term, better they leave after a year, or two at the most. Tenants are typically on their best behaviour early on but at about a year they begin to act like they own the place and the landlord is the interloper. I don't let my tenants dig in the ground, they'd just make a mess... if they want to landscape they need to buy their own property... if they want to garden I tell them to buy a pot and keep it on a paved area. Now I do all the rental landscape maintenance but previously when I had more properties I hired a professional or the condo association did. I strongly suggest that anyone contemplating becoming a landlord that they make sure their head is screwed on correctly and divest themselves of any pie in the sky altruistic attitude... the reality is that you own the property and have all the responsibility, the tenant owns nothing and couldn't care less about what's not theirs... the first time they can't pay the rent (and it will happen) you'll believe me... all tenant's actually believe that they should be permitted to owe the rent the same as they owe on everything else that they put on plastic that eventually they never pay. Anyone who thinks a tenant is going to buy a lawnmower is nuts, even if you give them a lawnmower and the fuel they still won't mow, they'll probably sell the mower and say someone stole it... you really don't want a rental property that has a lawn anyway... the best rental properties are condos (no outside maintenance) or are a simple house on minimal land, just barely enough side yard for a walking path and with a postage stamp yard. Now my rental house is on the property where I live and I do whatever needs to be done outside... my other property has no residence, it's a 90 acre hay field that I rent to a farmer who raises beef on his land two properties down the road, he does the haying and pays my taxes... meanwhile in seven years that property has appreciated, very conservatively, threefold. Investing in rental property is a lot more involved than most people imagine, you had best have a great sense of humor and a cast iron temperment. http://www.financialcrisis2009.org/f...te/Are-the-ten ants-right-217283.htm I lean towards trying to encourage gardening ideals. But it is a business still. In my neighborhood, owners of rental houses generally require a lease of at least two years. Because of excellent schools and a well-designed community, monthly rents are $2,500-$3,000. A rental house rarely stays vacant more than a month. In this housing environment, putting an effort into landscaping can easily be justified. The rental house right next door to me just went through extensive renovation and completely new landscaping. -- David E. Ross Climate: California Mediterranean Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19) Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary |
bushes that bloom often
"David E. Ross" wrote
Jeff Thies wrote: I'm in need of some landscaping I'm doing some real estate investing and am buying a couple of starter houses (as rentals) In my neighborhood, owners of rental houses generally require a lease of at least two years. Because of excellent schools and a well-designed community, monthly rents are $2,500-$3,000. Jeff is talking "starter houses"... do you even know what's a starter house.... obviously not when you disregard the question and launch right into boasting about the ritzyness of where you claim to reside. If you live in a neighborhood of houses that can rent for those kinda bucks and enough people are actually renting their homes that their business is common knowlege then you either live in a collapsing nabe full of foreclosures or are full of doodoo... I'd say the latter. There are houses that do rent for that kind of money, and a lot more, but owners and renters don't blab about it, for obvious reasons. And that's another thing for noobie landlords, NO lease... month to month only. And no one gives a two year lease to a brand new tenant unless it's commercial property, and then it's drawn up by attorneys, so right there I know you're making it up... you're a tenant yourself... you're another egotist needs folks to think you're so well off that you can afford three names, you likely live in a hovel. Jeff asked for help but you and your ilk can't so yoose toss out red herrings, yoose can't help anyone because it's patently obvious that yoose don't know anything. Any minute that billy goat's gruff will be by to regurgitate his extensive library of useless verbosity and impotent witlessness. |
If its an investment for rental I wouldn't be worrying about colour etc. I would concentrate on more of the same and introduce some form, shape, structure, enclosure and possibly screening to the vacant space.
Also don't believe everthing you see in Lowes, alot of that stuff is forced or retarded in specialist polytunnels in a way you could never emulate in low maintenance outdoor environment in late summer. Potted Azaleas will most probably bake and die without a deep leaf litter and moist humusy soil! Indian Hawthorns (Rhaphiolepis indica) are good value, and flower but deer love them. Pittosporum tobira, Ozmanthus, Crape myrtles are also a good bet along with some palms for architecture. I would get to know the local area and what grows well and lush looking with the minimum of care (What's growing in the central reservations in roads etc.). Hibicus will flower but what will they look like without loads of care on their own....Stringy and weak? Alternatively you could do a native scheme if it was bold enough. Less is more in my opinion, in terms of different species etc. and its far more impartial and restful - so your tenants are more likely to gel to it. |
bushes that bloom often
In article ,
brooklyn1 wrote: Cheryl Isaak wrote: "brooklyn1" wrote: Jeff Thies wrote: I'm in need of some landscaping I'm doing some real estate investing and am buying a couple of starter houses (as rentals) You don't want to do landscaping for tenants... maybe one low maintenence shade tree, and strong fencing to keep vehicles on the paved area. I disagree. A good long term tenant likes to have a little eye candy in the yard. Encourage him/her to add their own touches. Good, let them hang curtains, and clean the terlit... tenants are tenants for a reason, they are not responsible. And you are a waste of space. -- - Billy "Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." - Benito Mussolini. http://www.democracynow.org/2010/7/2/maude http://english.aljazeera.net/video/m...515308172.html |
Like I said...unless you want to put the time, labour and money into decent soil prep and mulching and then the ongoing maintenance forget snazzy shallow rooting plants like Gazanias and Azaleas and plant something low maintenance that will look good with minimal prep, be resilient and require minimal maintenace.
As for politics.....buying peoples homes on the cheap to rent back to them...the homes that they lost through circumstances which were no fault of their own....and then complaining about how the snivelling lowlifes don't give a damn about 'Your' secured property investment as they are only tenants who are incapable of looking after themselves....hmmmm.....well let me know how you get on in the late 21st century when all of the US real estate stock has been bought out by the chinese.....that is if they are still interested....lol Greed will only ultimately destroy the quality of everyones lives in the end! Think about how the other half live! I for one think it's a genuinely good to see a landlord who is willing to make a difference to a rental property! At least its a positive move! You only get out what you put in! Just make sure the local market is there for your gardening tenant clientale! lol! Put the work in, make a difference just don't get too personal with your planting selections! |
bushes that bloom often
On 8/18/2010 4:48 PM, Sambo wrote:
If its an investment for rental I wouldn't be worrying about colour etc. I would concentrate on more of the same and introduce some form, shape, structure, enclosure and possibly screening to the vacant space. Most of the homes in the area are nicely landscaped, the two I am trying to buy have just about none, they are a bit stark. They need something, particularly something as an accent and something of some size. I'm interested in enhancing the curb appeal. At least so when you look at the house it looks like some care went into it, not neglect. As far as tenants, I am a virgin landlord but I am not a desperate one. I also have seen the results of catering to the bottom of the market. Let someone else take those who are looking for the cheapest housing, I don't want or need them. Also don't believe everthing you see in Lowes, alot of that stuff is forced or retarded in specialist polytunnels in a way you could never emulate in low maintenance outdoor environment in late summer. Potted Azaleas will most probably bake and die without a deep leaf litter and moist humusy soil! Indian Hawthorns (Rhaphiolepis indica) are good value, and flower but deer love them. Pittosporum tobira, Ozmanthus, Both of these seem a bit too tender for Atlanta which is 7. We had temps in the teens this year. Crape myrtles are also a This largely what is in the neighborhood and will probably be my staple also. As mentioned this is very hilly and a few of these can help correct that by filling in or screening out depth changes. Most of the other suggestions, and I've looked at all of them, are too small for accent plants (unsure of the tree mallows) or won't stand the sun (kerria japonica) and exposure, although I can find some areas where they could be planted. Particularly in the back yards which are more wooded. So what I am looking at now is probably crape myrtle, and possibly magnolia. I have an abundance of Rose of Sharon and those could be used as lead ins. Possibly also, Camelias. I am not crazy and do not want to throw money at this, I'll probably buy (what I haven't dug up elsewhere) at the state farmers market. I am paying cash for the houses, one empty and one with tenants, and at the ridiculously low prices I am buying at (13K and 17K) short sales and living in an area which is steadily growing in population which is relatively better off, it would be hard to lose money. Unlike, say the person who bought at 130K, or even those at 60K. Those are all getting flushed out of the market which is where my opportunity lies. The people renting these houses (at $700 to $800 month) don't have the cash to buy them, there are no mortgages under 50K. Tenants in this neighborhood are working class and largely long term. The houses are small and solidly built, the opposite of a McMansion. Very practical and cheap to keep up and live in. If this was flat and straight, it would be a very boring neighborhood, it's the opposite of flat and straight. Here's the 17K (dry closed): http://www.trulia.com/property/30109...lanta-GA-30318 As you can see, there is nothing in the front yard. It had way too much money spent on the inside. good bet along with some palms for architecture. I would get to know the local area and what grows well and lush looking with the minimum of care (What's growing in the central reservations in roads etc.). Hibicus will flower but what will they look like without loads of care on their own....Stringy and weak? Alternatively you could do a native scheme if it was bold enough. Less is more in my opinion, in terms of different species etc. and its far more impartial and restful - so your tenants are more likely to gel to it. I'm down with that. This is not fancy landscaping. Jeff |
bushes that bloom often
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bushes that bloom often
I have never had a tree mallow myself but I see a lot of them. They
are spectacular in bloom but deciduous and they leaf out very late in the spring, IIRC even later than locusts. If not adequately briefed, a helpful tenant may cut down the tree thinking it is dead. How about azalea? What exactly do you mean by "bloom often"? Una |
bushes that bloom often
$21/sqft and the rent is $700/mo? Wow! Great investment opportunity.
Going with whatever shrubbery is common in the neighborhood is a safe bet. Crape myrtle is very easy to maintain too. Hydrangea should be good too. Una |
Just looked at the property...what a ********! lol! Only joking! lol!
I'd love a small property like that, doing up the Chevelle SS or '66 Mustang on the Sunday...drive a dually F350 to work...living the American dream baby! ....Unfortunately in the UK all you can buy for £150,000 is a small cow turd in a field which you are unable to touch or live in because its on agricultural land or perhaps a square metre of concrete in an semi-derelict ex council flat. My sister lives near Norfolk, Virginia, surely that is a similar climate, although a little more moderated perhaps. I saw here and her yankee husband last winter, hired a mini excavator and brought in a load of compost as she is on solid glazed grey clay with no soil. I planted a few crepe Myrtles, Pitto. tobira nanum, Lagerstromias and Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus). At planting time it was -14 Celcius and the Pittosporums were frozen..lol...I tryed to thaw the rootballs with lukewarm water....lol....not good but I left it till the last minute. Was even colder this year. All the plants are doing fine though. I think Indian Hawthorns and Trachycarpus or perhaps Washingtonias? will be OK maybe the Pittosporum would get burned if it regularly stays below -16C day and night for days on end. |
bushes that bloom often
Yes, India Hawthorn, Osmanthus, and tobira might be just a little
tender, but zone 7b is pretty close to zone 8. All are evergreen. Azaleas look nice all year with not too much work. I don't know how reliable the rebloomers are. I have seen them here in nursery, but not seen many in yards blooming. They are pretty tough plants Glossy Abelia Abelia grandiflora is a good tough plant, blooming all summer and into winter, if mild temps. If you do not shear it or prune it into a meatball, it will make a lovely arching shrub loved by hummers and butterflies. Pretty small pinkish flowers that are not a mess to clean up. Light scent. Butterfly Bush is an all summer bloomer, but doewn't look good in winter. (Buddleia) There are many Viburnums that might work. THose that don't bloom often, will have colorful berries instead. (some are deciduous and some are evergreen) V. tinus is nice and also has pretty blue berries. Blooms early here. V. davidii is nice too. Emilie NorCal |
bushes that bloom often
Cheryl Isaak wrote:
"brooklyn1" wrote: Cheryl Isaak wrote: "brooklyn1" wrote: Jeff Thies wrote: I'm in need of some landscaping I'm doing some real estate investing and am buying a couple of starter houses (as rentals) You don't want to do landscaping for tenants... maybe one low maintenence shade tree, and strong fencing to keep vehicles on the paved area. I disagree. A good long term tenant likes to have a little eye candy in the yard. Encourage him/her to add their own touches. Good, let them hang curtains, and clean the terlit... tenants are tenants for a reason, they are not responsible. There's no way to know how long a tenant will stay (there's no way the tenant knows how long they will stay) and the vast majority are very transient, that's just the nature of the beast, no prospective tenant ever tells the truth about why they are moving, they often don't have the foggiest idea about why they are moving other than they couldn't pay rent at the last place. Other than non payment of rent the two most popular reasons why a tenant is moving is due to change of employment or a divorce/separation (two good reasons to be short of cash). And even those who stay a couple three years (the outside of long term) rarely will do any landscape maintenence, most won't remember to water their own potted plants. I've had rental properties for more than forty years, often as many as a dozen at a time, and at nearly 70 years old I still have a couple of rental properties. I never expect a tenant to tend to the outside, I'm happy to have the rent paid and that they don't destroy the place. There's money to be made with rental property but expecting tenants to do any maintenance is the last of priorities, tenants are far more likely to be abusive because it's not their property, folks don't treat rental cars very well either. Tenants resent paying rent, tenants don't like that they're tenants, they're tenants because if they want a roof they have no other choice... they are not going to spend any money or make any effort to improve the landlord's property. And in fact I don't like tenants to be long term, better they leave after a year, or two at the most. Tenants are typically on their best behaviour early on but at about a year they begin to act like they own the place and the landlord is the interloper. I don't let my tenants dig in the ground, they'd just make a mess... if they want to landscape they need to buy their own property... if they want to garden I tell them to buy a pot and keep it on a paved area. Now I do all the rental landscape maintenance but previously when I had more properties I hired a professional or the condo association did. I strongly suggest that anyone contemplating becoming a landlord that they make sure their head is screwed on correctly and divest themselves of any pie in the sky altruistic attitude... the reality is that you own the property and have all the responsibility, the tenant owns nothing and couldn't care less about what's not theirs... the first time they can't pay the rent (and it will happen) you'll believe me... all tenant's actually believe that they should be permitted to owe the rent the same as they owe on everything else that they put on plastic that eventually they never pay. Anyone who thinks a tenant is going to buy a lawnmower is nuts, even if you give them a lawnmower and the fuel they still won't mow, they'll probably sell the mower and say someone stole it... you really don't want a rental property that has a lawn anyway... the best rental properties are condos (no outside maintenance) or are a simple house on minimal land, just barely enough side yard for a walking path and with a postage stamp yard. Now my rental house is on the property where I live and I do whatever needs to be done outside... my other property has no residence, it's a 90 acre hay field that I rent to a farmer who raises beef on his land two properties down the road, he does the haying and pays my taxes... meanwhile in seven years that property has appreciated, very conservatively, threefold. Investing in rental property is a lot more involved than most people imagine, you had best have a great sense of humor and a cast iron temperment. And just how long have you been a landlord? I have 20+ years of it. I said for more than forty years. You do get bad tenants, but honestly, I've only needed the sheriff once. I don't like to say "bad tenants". I've had many "problematic tenants". I've had to have tenants evicted three times, didn't need the sheriff (fortunately), when the judge gave them ten days to vacate and specified the consequence of the sheriff placing their belongings to the curb they vacated within the week. Of course I never did receive the back rent (or got paid for their damage) but was happy to be rid of them and move on. In the scheme of things losing a few month's rent is no biggie (often a house remains empty for a couple of months between tenants), and minor repairs go with the territory anyway. Large damage is what landlord's insurance is for... you need homeowners insurance anyway, a landlord's rider adds little to the premium. I always tell my tenants to obtain a renter's policy, my insurance covers my property but not theirs. A renters policy can be obtained where they buy auto insurance, adds under $20/month. Very few buy it, foolish... because even if not damaged by fire/water their property is covered for theft, and many renters associate with unsavory types having no integrity... their own famly members will when they visit clean them out right down to their toothpaste. House rentals attract better potential renters Not sure what you mean here by a "potential" renter. I've experienced the same caliber of renters with private stand alone residences and with condo units. Even though I've never invested myself I know people who own apartment buildings, they have exactly the same kind of tenant problems. I've stayed away because apartment building/complexes fall under much stricter municipal codes, and tax audits. I've steered clear of commercial property too, commercial tenants have more rights than the landlord. I have a friend who bought a small strip mall, wishes he could sell it. Did ya know that regrdless the type of property if the tenant doesn't tend to their trash zoning enforcement cites the property owner, not the tenant... and that's also for improperly parked/unregistered vehicles. and basic yard work is easy contracted out. With condo units the association tends to the exteriors. With private stand alone residences I'd contract with a professional grounds maintenence company. In more then forty years I've had only two tenants that enjoyed gardening, one years ago liked to tell all their friends adn relatives that they bought a house, they also wanted the neighbors to think they owned it, but few tenants care how they're perceived. One just recently, a school teacher who rented my present rental for two years, she worked summers at a farm stand that also did flower baskets of all types so knew about gardening and had access to free plants and materials... she actually went a little overboard with invasive herbs, I'm still yanking mint from along the foundation, but she did keep her little area looking good... but I did all the mowing and she knew not to litter the grounds with her stuff, or it would likely get mowed. She was getting a divoce so after the first year her divorce was final and she began dating contantly adn over night vistors all the time. I had a name for her, "1-800-FLOWERS", she met a lot of guys at the farm stand who would send her flowers that came to my door. And since I live in a northern clime snow/ice removal present a whole nother set of problems. I have more tenant war stories than I have time to type. I can say that it's a tremendous responsibility and a lot of work but monetarilly being a landlord has been very good to me... and has vastly enriched my life in the human relations areas. Most tenants mean well but many just don't have the ability to live responsibly, most folks don't, over spending is an addictive disease just like any addiction, thast today is running rampant. The economy is in the cellar mainly because there are way too many insisting on living well beyond their means... and bailing out poor money managers is the very worst kind of bandage... that's like buying a bottle for an alchoholic. But this is actually the best kind of economy for real estate investment... mortgage rates are the lowest they've ever been, and the more people strapped for cash the more renters there are chasing fewer rentals, which drives up the rent. This is the best landlord's market I've ever seen. Even though home sales are slow real estate brokers are making more money than ever, all have always had rental properties, and since they get first dibs they are buying up more like crazy. Real estate brokers have always made most of their money owning rentals... if they had to live soley on sales commissions (that in most cases they share) they'd all starve... property management is where they make most of their money. Anyone still young can make a lot of money, most of the profits are in waiting the years it takes for property to appreciate while the tenants pay the mortgage, taxes, insurance, etc. |
bushes that bloom often
On 8/19/2010 8:34 AM, Una wrote:
$21/sqft and the rent is $700/mo? Wow! Great investment opportunity. Since you've seen the pic, the thinking at the moment is to cut a couple terraces (the upper not so wide) in front of the house and stretching to the right front corner. Then cover the slope with landscape fabric (over the grass) and plant Juniper. What possible use is the lawn as it is now? Going with whatever shrubbery is common in the neighborhood is a safe bet. Crape myrtle is very easy to maintain too. Hydrangea should be good too. I'm down with that too. The back has a level spot for a patio and then a 5' embankment. Should be much wetter and shadier and good for hydrangeas. If I can find a wet spot I'll put in horsetails. I've got a monster oak leaf hydrangea in my front yard and huge azaleas. My neighborhood is dogwoods, azaleas and daffodils. There are no dogwoods at the rental and it's impossible to see the others now. The season for dogwoods, azaleas and daffodils is certainly short, but it is a delight after winter. Jeff Una |
bushes that bloom often
On Aug 19, 9:46*am, Jeff Thies wrote:
snip * I'm down with that too. The back has a level spot for a patio and then a 5' embankment. Should be much wetter and shadier and good for hydrangeas. If I can find a wet spot I'll put in horsetails. I've got a monster oak leaf hydrangea in my front yard and huge azaleas. My neighborhood is dogwoods, azaleas and daffodils. There are no dogwoods at the rental and it's impossible to see the others now. The season for dogwoods, azaleas and daffodils is certainly short, but it is a delight after winter. Yes Camellia and Rose of Sharon would be good, also Nandina. There is a beautiful shrub: Razzleberry / Chinese Fringe Flower. Am Hort Soc. Ency gives zone as 8, however the temps for their zone 8 are 10-20 F. (zones were recently revised, and some books have the Old temps.) So it might work, it is a great plant. "Horsetails" !!??*** You'll be Sor-ry. They will go everywhere! Emilie NorCal |
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