First Day on the Job

I've been in Ohio since Monday getting my first deal going.
In some strange way I'm enjoying this. Probably because I know I'm leaving Sunday and don't have to be here every day.
The day AFTER we closed I had a tenant tell me their sewer was backed up. Come to find out it was a collapsed line. Clay tile pipe. There was raw sewage coming out from under the trailer. As I am standing next to the trailer practically dry heaving my newely hired park manager gets down and crawls through it. Says, "He**, I've crawled through worse sh** than that." Didn't phase him. No question about keeping him on as the manager and maintanance man.
I had a few bids to get it fixed. From $4500 to $6500. I was thinking this was a crappy first day. BUT I remembered a few things I learned from the bootcamp. One was not to panic when this kind of stuff happens. I almost bit the bullet and just told them to do it. Then I remembered and thought well it obviously hasn't bothered them for the last month what's one more day. It's not like anything is on fire.
So I thought about it overnight and by the morning had another plan. We rerouted a line and just bypassed that old pipe.
Total cost. Less than $450
So my bootcamp price and all my books paid off on the first day.
Dave and Frank and Jim and all your behind the scenes people.
THANKS!!!

PS if you want me to write that up for a testimonial let me know.

Tyler Conlin
Clinton, UT



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/05/2010 06:39PM by TylerConlin.

Tyler,

I am glad you are putting our ideas into place and congrats on your first day. That is thinking outside of the box. I hope your next problem is that the rent money is overflowing the drop box!

Thank you for the great comments and testimonial.

Dave

One thing I learned at the bootcamp is no drop boxes. That was from Frank I think. So I set up an account at the closest Chase bank and the tenants deposit right into that. Or they can mail it right into Chase. The manager never touches it and neither do I. But Chase scans every deposit slip so the next day I know exactly who paid and how much. And I can take care of anything from the Chase branch a mile from my house in Utah. Or for when I spend the summer in Switzerland I can do it all online.
The tenants all loved that idea. The bank is just 1 mile away and they can even bring in cash to the bank.

Tyler Conlin
Clinton, UT

Tyler... great job on finding the solution... I am really excited for you. Sorry I missed you in Colorado... I was out of town. Let me know when you return!

I knew when we met in California you were going to pull the trigger soon... Great job!!

Jim Johnson
Denver, CO
www.mobilehomeparkbuyers.com

Jim,
It was your loss:) You could have had a free dinner. Next time I'm out there. But I don't go to Denver much.
I just posted a question about park sidekick and I know you have the answer.
Thanks

Tyler Conlin
Clinton, UT

Tyler - where is your park in Ohio? Looks like we are on the same learning curve for a new state.
How are you handling the SAFE Act?
Bret

Bret,
My park is in Columbus.
I haven't do anything with the Safe Act yet. We have 0 park owned homes. We plan to bring in a few homes when the snow is gone. But honestly I haven't got that far yet. We have 2 appartments we are going to get rented first.
If you have any suggestions I'd like to hear them.
I'm no lawyer. But I wonder if a rent to own would work. Or a rent with option to buy after 2 years? Hopefully I don't have to be a licensed broker.

Tyler Conlin
Clinton, UT



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/08/2010 11:05AM by TylerConlin.

Tyler,

I'm wrapping up my first loan through Precision Financial. They are SAFE Act approved and the lender of record so the responsibility should fall on their shoulders. I also plan to sell a couple of my older/cheaper units for 0% interest. All payments go directly to principle. Yes, this still violates the SAFE Act, but I'll care as soon as someone shows me how I have in any way hurt the buyer.

BTW: If you are planning to do any landscaping of your community, there are a couple of really good plant sales coming up at the state ag college in Wooster and the Dawes Arboretum just outside of Columbus. Both have plants you simply can't get anywhere else and the prices are really good.

Rolf
Wheat Hill

Tyler - you might consider joining the OMHA. I spoke with Elizabeth Birch, the attorney they have on retainer and she updated me on eviction law and the SAFA Act etc for Ohio as well as licensing. I probably got half my association dues paid for in that 30 minute phone call. I think I am going to get my site manager certified. Seems like it is just a good idea to go and get certified to avoid any problems but that might depend on how many homes you are going to sell/rent.

Bret