Renting out our house in Kenai (area) (Soldotna: for sale, real estate)

[stiffnecked]

Never allow indoor pets. Especially as an absentee landlord. You'll regret it when you come back. Everyone says their pets are perfect. Then when the cats urinate in the carpet, which they will, you'll end up replacing it. I heard the line, "Oh, they always use the litter box." Then why did they **** all over the carpet? And it's usually in a corner somewhere. Nasty, nasty. If you plan on living in it again keep the pets outside. Pets are animals, they aren't humans. They belong outside with all of natures other animals.

[browncoatflan]

Originally Posted by stiffnecked

Never allow indoor pets. Especially as an absentee landlord. You'll regret it when you come back. Everyone says their pets are perfect. Then when the cats urinate in the carpet, which they will, you'll end up replacing it. I heard the line, "Oh, they always use the litter box." Then why did they **** all over the carpet? And it's usually in a corner somewhere. Nasty, nasty. If you plan on living in it again keep the pets outside. Pets are animals, they aren't humans. They belong outside with all of natures other animals.

So do some people's kids.

So do some people, for that matter. Or they never clean, or let food rot (potatoes rotted into pantry shelving.....oh it was awful), and bugs/pests take up residence.

Humans can be just as nasty as un-cared-for pets, and with less reason.

Never allow indoor humans.


Shan

[froggin4colorado]

Yes, I was thinking the same thing. I know people who don't own pets and are horrible house keepers. I also know of several families with young children who have written all over the walls, put holes in walls, knocked out stair banisters, tore off doors, pushed out screens, dented up garage doors with basketballs, broken windows from rocks, let yards go to weeds, etc...no animal causes there. I am sorry, but the case of never let anyone with pets rent a house is weak. You can't discriminate when it comes to renters and all you can do is pray you get good renters. I support no pets when it comes to allergies to pets.

And about the cat peeing in the hallway...what do you do about the naked toddler coming out of the bathtub who pees on the floor, or the baby being changed and loves the cool air...here comes the fountain! All I can say is you must have had a bad experience somewhere with bad renters. That is too bad because they ruined your trust for people. My neighbors turned out to be bad renters...the remodeled home looks like a dump...can't stand it and won't let the kids go over. BTW- no indoor pets. Only three kids and the parents. The house across the street, has a dog and cat, newly remodeled, wonderful condition (and the couple are young twenties, fresh on their feet) and a great couple. You would expect parties from them, lots of people coming over...but nope. BTW, the slobs are are active church goers...so you can't discriminate.
I'm done ranting....

[stiffnecked]

Originally Posted by froggin4colorado

And about the cat peeing in the hallway...what do you do about the naked toddler coming out of the bathtub who pees on the floor, or the baby being changed and loves the cool air...here comes the fountain! All I can say is you must have had a bad experience somewhere with bad renters.

Yes, bad experience with renters especially with cats. Human urine is much, much easier to get out than cat urine. I don't disagree with some of what you said. My worst tenant was a Baptist minister and his family in Ketchikan. They were long term tenants so I thought all was good. Until they moved out. Horrible!!!

[parakeets]

[
BTW, the slobs are are active church goers...so you can't discriminate.
I'm done ranting....[/quote]



dh and I LOL! after reading this.
one neighborhood family near the house is exactly what you described.
the outside of their house looks entirely neglected, shameful really
but you can bet for the many bible studies they had indoors, the house was always clean and neat as a whistle.

[parakeets]

Originally Posted by blueflames50

Playing the devils advocate here....doesn't sound like you were "real" friends with your neighbors. And you still make pre-agreements to pay friends!!
To offer to pay for plowing and having an actual conversation with agreements is not the same thing.
Only speaking from experience of knowing people who "think" that because they know someone means they can ask, expect and are owed all kinds of "work" taking care of their issues when in fact that is not the case. Property manager, care takers get paid.
What and how much did you do for these people that you expect them to do work for you in return???

Blue, this "neighbor" offered to take care of the plowing. we in turn offered to pay them, it was left at that. we never spoke of owing each other anything throughout our 5 yr hoodship.
I will agree that perhaps we were not "real" friends...afterall.

[browncoatflan]

But that isn't the fault of the animal- it is the fault of the human, and should be treated as such.

I realize that it is inconvinient to have to clean up or fix what has been done by pets, but that IS why there are pet deposits and rent deposits and pet contracts for renters. I get it- once burned twice shy. However, to malign the animals when the responsibility lies with the person that is renting... that's a pretty poopy predjudice.





Shan

[parakeets]

We are open to an approved pet (we had a couple cats ourselves) but with an additional pet deposit. as for discrimination it applies to humans NOT animals!
and I have to agree that there are certain people who let their kids destroy things... (we've also got 2 older kids). it is "renters" that do not maintain a dwelling simply because they know it does not really belong to them at least in the long run.

[Marty Van Diest]

I don't understand how you are able to manage your property if you aren't local. How do you show it? How do you check on it? How will you evaluate a renter?

If I were you, I would pay a local property manager. That isn't always the answer, but at least you would have someone local to call who would have some responsibility to you.

My uncle has many rentals in Arkansas. I think he has over 30 single family houses. His system is that he and his wife show the house together. He goes into the house to show it to the renters and while they are in the house his wife casually walks by their car. Then his wife makes the decision. That is assuming they have a choice of course. Sometime you don't have a choice.

[parakeets]

Originally Posted by Marty Van Diest

I don't understand how you are able to manage your property if you aren't local. How do you show it? How do you check on it? How will you evaluate a renter?

If I were you, I would pay a local property manager. That isn't always the answer, but at least you would have someone local to call who would have some responsibility to you.

My uncle has many rentals in Arkansas. I think he has over 30 single family houses. His system is that he and his wife show the house together. He goes into the house to show it to the renters and while they are in the house his wife casually walks by their car. Then his wife makes the decision. That is assuming they have a choice of course. Sometime you don't have a choice.

Marty,

That is what we are looking for, a "responsible" property manager.
long story short, we "contracted" with one PM right after we left several months ago, this PM failed us miserabley by violating one of the contact terms. rather than siding with us, she was more interested in protecting the tennent and her fee the arraingment lasted only 7 wks but being as far as we are, it was sheer h*!! and we even had a state trooper get involved.
I must admit that we are more than dissapointed in small town, non-folksiness that IS Kenai and because its so small, everyone knows his/her's business. we really would LOVE to sell the house as flying to/fro is too costly.
being that this is Holy Week, I must bight my tongue! but am very worried about things relating to this house and will continue to pray/meditate that things will come together.