A Crazy Ride

We have had quite a ride with the duplexes that we purchased in January. I think we were very optimistic in that they would all four units would have a quick turn around and we would get renters really fast. Well, we just didn't anticipate how long all the seen (and unseen) issues would take.  Justin has worked on them mostly by himself because in the mean time of purchasing these properties, we also had a baby.  So...that's where I've been.

We are having a second showing tonight for the fourth unit and hopefully a signed lease.  This last one took the longest, but we had a few people that just didn't work out.  Some things we've encountered so far:

• An application with an odd looking social security number...yep, not legal.
• Lawn mower was borrowed indefinitely...
• A nasty voicemail from some random lady saying, "Shame on you for keeping your property so dirty and unkept.  Shame on you for asking $500 for that small place in the bad neighborhood.  Shame on you."  Just to clarify, there is nothing wrong with our property except the house needs a good paint job (what house doesn't) and the neighborhood is just fine.  I've come to terms with this lady and think she was just having a bad day and needed to vent to my voicemail. 
• Bugs, bugs, bugs!  One of our renters has been bitten by spiders 3 times!!
• One of our duplexes and I were even interviewed by our favorite reporter, Chellie.

It's definitely been a learning experience, but a good one at that.  It has been very stressful at times with Justin working on the duplexes and I'm home with 2 kids, with some repairs we weren't counting on, with people not showing up to see the house when they said they would.  But that's okay.  Some day we'll look back at this time and laugh about how crazy we were to take on such a large idea with two little ones in tow.