Well that was fun...

[EliteRetard]

what area is OP in? section 8?

Around the Seattle Washington area. The properties are spread around a few counties, none in the "ghetto"...but none in the multi million range required to get a "nice area".

Once these houses sell and family moves away I think I'm getting out of this state as well. Washington is just a horrible place to live, **** weather, **** people, and **** traffic.

 

[BxgJ]

Around the Seattle Washington area. The properties are spread around a few counties, none in the "ghetto"...but none in the multi million range required to get a "nice area".

Once these houses sell and family moves away I think I'm getting out of this state as well. Washington is just a horrible place to live, **** weather, **** people, and **** traffic.

Did they vet the renters?

Most people aren't horrible. Also if near/at retirement age, there are many areas with a much lower cost of living, if that is an issue.

 

[EliteRetard]

Did they vet the renters?

Most people aren't horrible. Also if near/at retirement age, there are many areas with a much lower cost of living, if that is an issue.

Yes they "vetted", also tried a pair of professional rental agencies (one run/owned by a friend of the family). Just about every single time they have been screwed over, no payments and/or destruction of property. Only one so far has been any good, paying in full every month. But they are fed up now, once they sell off the other properties they will offer to sell this last place to the good renters. If they don't want it, have to figure something out (sell to somebody who wants the renters or simply boot them).

 

[deadlyapp]

Around the Seattle Washington area. The properties are spread around a few counties, none in the "ghetto"...but none in the multi million range required to get a "nice area".

Once these houses sell and family moves away I think I'm getting out of this state as well. Washington is just a horrible place to live, **** weather, **** people, and **** traffic.

Funny story but it's just as bad nearly every other major metropolitan area. I'd love to move back to Seattle.

 

[Humpy]

Cool story OP!

 

[werepossum]

Yes they "vetted", also tried a pair of professional rental agencies (one run/owned by a friend of the family). Just about every single time they have been screwed over, no payments and/or destruction of property. Only one so far has been any good, paying in full every month. But they are fed up now, once they sell off the other properties they will offer to sell this last place to the good renters. If they don't want it, have to figure something out (sell to somebody who wants the renters or simply boot them).

I have one word: Land mines. Wait, two words!

Sorry about your experience. Most Americans are not at all like that. My folks have one rental house and my family collectively have two more from my grandfather's estate. What they do is exclusively word of mouth, no advertising, no Section 8. They only take referrals from people they trust. We've never been burned. Which isn't to say we've never missed a rent payment, just never when the renter actually had it, and never any intentional property damage. Takes awhile, but in the end it's much easier on the property and you get good, longer term renters. The necessary corollary to that is renting below maximum rental value, otherwise people have no reason to seek you out for their friends and family, but you have a much better and probably more profitable experience overall.