What is Up with LJ? and Other Stuff

[amberfocus]

Today I received 7 pages worth of email notifications for a gift I receved in March. Umm...yes, LJ, I already know I got this item...5 months ago. And even if I didn't, one would have been sufficient. Not 175. Bad LJ.

And since I'm on here, I wanted to thank everyone who sent me information of how to get free books for the Kindle...or as we are now calling it in this household Free Kindle Krappe (TM). It is nice to see that there is so much of it.

I am hard at work on the drabbles and hope to have them ready, or at least some of them, by this evening.

Why is it the one morning I have to sleep in is the only morning in a week that I get an early moring phone call? *yawns* I was really tired, too. 26 laps yesterday and a walk. Plus it was too hot to sleep until 2 a.m. Yesterday was 90 at the height of the day. Right now it is only 67, but will get higher as the day goes on. Still, a day in the 70's is much easier to tolerate around here than a day in the high 80's, like most of the last few days.

Anyone have any experience with becoming a landlord? One of the workmen working on our house to get it ready for sale is interested in renting it long term (like a two year lease). Since the market is sucky out there we are thinking about it, but have very little idea of what to consider, other than criminal and civil background checks, credit checks, and calling old landlords for payment history. We have no idea what the tax ramifications are, either.

Comments

[azriona.livejournal.com]

We're renting out the Technicolor Townhouse while overseas, but we're using a management company since we're very absentee landlords, so I can't really answer specifics, and since we only just started, I'm not clear on the tax ramifications, either.

My dad, on the other hand, has several properties that they rent out, so he'd probably be a better resource (although it's for Arizona; not sure if the rules change much from state to state). I can ask him if you'd like.

[kelkat9.livejournal.com]

Yeah lots of people got the 100+ notifications today. It's kind of funny now.

I rent my FL house out but I have a property manager handling it since I don't live in FL anymore. It's usually a good idea to run the credit, criminal background and check landlord references. Always get sufficient security deposit. If you are allowing pets, either get a decent pet deposit or charge pet rent each month.

A 2 year lease for a house is a long time. Most residential leases are a year with an option to renew. Things to consider: smoking prohibition? Who pays electric/water/cable? Who takes care of the yard? Make sure you can access the house upon notice to the tenant - how much notice is up to you. Tenant agrees you can access the house for repairs upon prior notice.

Insurance - you will need a landlord policy. Taxes - ck with your tax preparer but you will report the income of the rental property but can deduct property repairs made while it's rented, mortgage interest if it's mortgaged, taxes (commissions - I know this does not apply to you but wanted you to know) etc. Again, read up on this so you understand what you will be paying taxes on come April 15.

Being a landlord can be a pain. A previous house I rented was not a good experience. I had damage and practically had to evict a nonpaying tenant. I've had better luck with the present house I'm renting through the broker. I think it's easier to do it yourself if you don't live far from the property so you can do drive bys to make sure it's being kept up.

[develish1]

oooh, I got one more gift notification than you then? lol

I'm laughing now, I was NOT laughing when I opened my email earlier though, I just sat and stared at it actually, for quite a while.

[six.livejournal.com]

<sub>If this is about userheads, I think that might've been my fault. I might or might not have accidentally broke lj yesterday. *shifty eyes*

I sent them all out for me and my flist in one go, but the amount of notifications seem to vary. Some got 176, some 200, 90, 184, I got 235 and another 12 stragglers. I just thought ~hey cute userheads for me and mah friends~ and lj was like TROLOLOLOLOL USERHEAD DOOMSDAY.

I am soooooooooo sorry. ;~;</sub>

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

I went back to look at them after something Dev mentioned on her LJ. I thought it was from the one you sent in March, but no. It is from the ones you sent the other day. But that's not your fault. That's still LJ's fault. Because LJ is stupid. And you were being sweet. (((HUGS))) I like that, though, Userhead Doomsday!

[six.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Thank you for sparing my life! XD