Kool aide got us this trip

[hdh1470]

Bought a Whipering Pine in ashland this trip.closing 10/20 .house is furnished and would like to try and rent jan feb march .could use a little help as we have never done this before,Hope this is are last winter in chicago.and we be down here soon.thanks all

[quidam65]

Find a TV area real estate agent. S/he may have leads.

[otherbruddaDarrell]

You might even check and see what a long term hotel stay here would cost. It might be less money.
They are close to the squares and they will clean the room for you as well.

[Ohiogirl]

OBD, I think the poster is saying they bought a home in TV and want to rent it out for Jan-Feb-March.

I did this for 4 plus years on my own. It was worth it to me to manage it myself, but it IS work. I advertised on thevillages4rent.com and on vacationrentals.com. Had a caretaker in TV to meet tenants and answer questions. Had a cleaning person I contacted by email. Paid all bills automatically or by electronic check.

Probably spent about 5 hours per week answering inquiries and updating my listings. Sometimes more, sometimes less. You need to check your email every day and respond promptly. Have to deal with some repairs, etc. long-distance. First year was hard as everything was new to me. Eventually got easier. Keep copies of everything and an online spreadsheet to keep track of expenses.

Only had a couple of fairly minor problems over the 4 plus years, but was lucky, although you typically have a different type of tenant in TV than out of the bubble.

Management companies charge about 15-20%, but can provide peace of mind and less work. I have no direct experience with any of them. Others here can direct you that route.

Being a landlord is not for everyone - I had some background in real estate and can type really fast - that helps. (it's probably also why I have such long postings :)

[hdh1470]

OBD, I think the poster is saying they bought a home in TV and want to rent it out for Jan-Feb-March.

I did this for 4 plus years on my own. It was worth it to me to manage it myself, but it IS work. I advertised on thevillages4rent.com and on vacationrentals.com. Had a caretaker in TV to meet tenants and answer questions. Had a cleaning person I contacted by email. Paid all bills automatically or by electronic check.

Probably spent about 5 hours per week answering inquiries and updating my listings. Sometimes more, sometimes less. You need to check your email every day and respond promptly. Have to deal with some repairs, etc. long-distance. First year was hard as everything was new to me. Eventually got easier. Keep copies of everything and an online spreadsheet to keep track of expenses.

Only had a couple of fairly minor problems over the 4 plus years, but was lucky, although you typically have a different type of tenant in TV than out of the bubble.

Management companies charge about 15-20%, but can provide peace of mind and less work. I have no direct experience with any of them. Others here can direct you that route.

Being a landlord is not for everyone - I had some background in real estate and can type really fast - that helps. (it's probably also why I have such long postings :)

Who was caretaker?

[otherbruddaDarrell]

Ohiogirl.............guess I had a senior moment.:ohdear:

[Ohiogirl]

had 2 caretakers - original one moved away, last year used Ed and Mary Edwards, safehomewatch.com - 352-603-5333

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Bought a Whipering Pine in ashland this trip.closing 10/20 .house is furnished and would like to try and rent jan feb march .could use a little help as we have never done this before,Hope this is are last winter in chicago.and we be down here soon.thanks all In additon to the other suggestions, if you opt to handle the renting et al. yourself, put a "For Rent" sign in one of your streetside windows with your phone number(s). The wife and I are down here in TV now, trolling various neighborhoods to find a short term rental in December by looking simply for the For Rent signs. Numerous ones in some neighborhoods, not so many in others. Have talked to a number of property owners, some of who relate that their For Rent sign is the ONLY advertising they've ever done. Seems as though once you start getting some renters, a lot of them keep coming back if the place is nice, the rate is good, and they're treated well by the owners. Just my humble opinion......

Bill

[Schaumburger]

hdh1470,
Hello, I'm your neighbor and TV wannabee to the south in Schaumburg. Congratulations on your purchase -- I wish I was in your shoes. What will you do with your snow shovel and ice scraper next year when you move to TV?? :). Good luck with renting your new home this winter.

Laura

[hdh1470]

hdh1470,
Hello, I'm your neighbor and TV wannabee to the south in Schaumburg. Congratulations on your purchase -- I wish I was in your shoes. What will you do with your snow shovel and ice scraper next year when you move to TV?? :). Good luck with renting your new home this winter.

Laura

Would you like them?

[Schaumburger]

Thank you for the kind offer. I have my ice scraper, leftover ice melt from last winter and snow shovel all lined up and ready for action. :). After the hot summer Chicago had this year and nice fall weather Chicago has had so far, I'm sure they have been lonely since last March :). I live in a townhouse, so my homeowners association is supposed to shovel all driveways and sidewalks after a 2 inch snowfall, but sometimes my definition of 2 inches and the association's definition of 2 inches is different. We must use different yardsticks. Enjoy your new home!

Laura - Go Cubs, Go Bears, Go Blackhawks, Go Bulls. Sorry White Sox fans - I grew up in a Cubs house.