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Portsmouth, VA

Is our justice system working? How a tenant can live free for three months on your property.

03-17-09
Tere Rottink
Tere Rottink: Real Estate Agent in Chesapeake, VA

I just came back from court. This is the story of how tenants can live free in your investment property.

These are the same tenants that inspired me to write: Finding the right tenant.

A tenant moves in and has 5 days to report anything that has to be fixed. They complaint: it is to cold, so I Justicebring them spaces heaters the next day. They don't turn on the water, so they burn the water heater. I fix the water heater. On the first of the month when the rent is due the lady calls me hysterical telling me that some one broke in the place. In the police report that I finally saw today, the policeman writes that the point of entry was the bedroom window and there are no finger prints at all. He also writes that the tenant is unemployed. I called the man that does all my repairs the night of the supposedly break in;he tells me he is on his way, but never shows up until the next morning. He closes the hole with a piece of wood and informs me that the window was broken from the inside out. We look for a window that will fit that hole, but it is an old window, so finally three days later we install a new window and just make the hole to adapt.

By this time the tenant calls the city inspector which condemns the house for lack or water. There are other repairs that need to be done, and he gives me 4 days. I do all the repairs in the time allotted. The story continues.....but to make the story short, they stay in the place for another month and a half.

The judge a very old man Robert F. Babb rules for the tenant awarding me no money for rent or damages. Very happily looks at me and says, I award Zero money because this is to CONFUSING. (I do know people in their 90's who are sharp beyond belief. Unfortunately this judge doesn't appear to be in this category)

He did not ask me or the tenant any questions. I tried to ask what is confusing, but by this time the policeman is walking towards me to escort me out the door. I am told I need to appeal. Spend another $108 in court fees plus I think at this time, I would have to hire an attorney to recover the $2000 plus these people owe me. The attorneys fees will be $800.judge

I AM DEVASTATED TO THINK THAT IN THIS COUNTRY THE LEGAL SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK. If the judge doesn't understand what he has in front of him, he needs to ask questions.

I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS. I AM SO UPSET, I NEED TO VENT.

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Well I hated to do it

Bethany Phillips, MBA, ABR, EcoBroker: Real Estate Agent in Norfolk, VA

Well, I didn't want to do it, but I felt it was best...

I received my first lead through ACTIVE RAIN!

I couldn't take it! :( The potential client was coming into town in a couple of weeks with family members. Her daughter and fiancee are going to be buying a home in Hampton Roads, following his assignment to Portsmouth for work.

Unfortunately, being out of town that weekend, I would not have the opportunity to meet them, show property, or otherwise develop a relationship with them.

So I turned this lead over to someone else in my office. She was very appreciative and I know she will take excellent care of these buyers. I think I did the right thing...

I hope for other leads through activerain!

Bethany Phillips

Spent the Day at the Portsmouth YMCA on Cedar Rd

Brady Howard Chesapeake and Portsmouth Realty Pro: Real Estate Agent in Chesapeake, VA

If your looking for something to do, check out anyone of the Ymca's in the area. Ours is on cedar Road right next to the brand New Library their building, they have a play ground, tennis courts, running track, 2 pools, Racquetball courts, weight rooms workout rooms, my wife's favorite, Some noodle twisting strength building ancient Chinese secret. all is all is is set up very nice for a family, you can work out with the kids, swim wiTh the kids and then drop them off in one of the kid zones while you run, play a sport, or just sit in the hot tub.

the only thing that could top it off would be a walking bridge from Sterling point to the Library. Most people would -probably walk then cut down on allot of traffic. We could have library readings like back in th eday but do them on my property's{3 acres surrounded by water, all old growth, its liked a very nice campground. Just need bears!, a fire pit and logs to sit on for the evening reads. If I get some interest I wii propose it to the city council, it would be free bring in take out and enjoy. GI

Brady HowardS housefff

Give me some feedback on the idea so that I can start to run with it. We could also get some kayak and canoes, give some lessons and let the kids take them out for a while, see some of nature, enjoy the piece and quiet, live a little. This would be free too. The boats would have be be donated from someone like sports authority, for quite the shout out I'm sure, and publicity We could do many things on the probity for kids, camping and fishing, swimming, boating......

1. Give me some feed back

2 2. give me some ideas as to where to get the help, material, labor to set it up

3. Permission to do it on my land or someone Else's that is close to Cedar and High. There are lots of kids wiTh nothing to do and there is a ton of stuff to do, lets capitalize on it.

4 I want to start a BMX track here to, I am already working wiTh the ABA so that it can be sanctioned and I know enough builders and contractors that I think I could get the track built for close to nothing. We just need the land. Preferably 5 acres that we can put some big bumbs on, an announcers stand and audience stands, a bathroom and a snack bar.

5. Once the track is buillt and the ABA starts to advertise it on thier roster for the state we will pull in riders from all over VA,NC, Md, WV, and others. the track is in the planning stages, I just need help with ideas to get safe fun places for are kids to hang out.

Brady Howard

keller Williams Realty Elite

757-636-2516

Fire in Portsmouth, destroys strip mall, off Tyre Neck Road

Brady Howard Chesapeake and Portsmouth Realty Pro: Real Estate Agent in Chesapeake, VA

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (AP) -- Fire officials are investigating a blaze that destroyed six businesses in a Portsmouth strip mall.

A Portsmouth fire department spokesman says the fire broke out around 3 a.m. Sunday at the strip mall on Tyre Neck Road.

A gun shop and two hair salons were among the businesses destroyed.

The 25-year-old strip mall is owned by Marilyn Taylor, who built it with her late husband. Taylor says at least 50 people were employed by the businesses that were destroyed.

Lots of loss, if you can help please call the red cross to see if they are taking any donations. The Strip Mall was destroyed. It is a sad time of year to see anything like this. Please help if you can.

Brady Howard

Pre listing of a home in Portsmouth Va

Brady Howard Chesapeake and Portsmouth Realty Pro: Real Estate Agent in Chesapeake, VA

The home is in the Cavalier Forest area of Portsmouth, VA. Per the most recent sales the home should be priced around 220000. We will list the home at 189,999 with CC assistance. This will be a deal and will go in the system tomorro Morning.

Recent comparable sales

  1. Sold 09/18/2008: $210,000
    4928 Holly Rd, Portsmouth, VA 23703
  2. Sold 09/18/2008: $212,000
    4845 W Norfolk Rd, Portsmouth, VA 23703
  3. Sold 04/17/2008: $210,000
    4940 Briarwood Ln, Portsmouth, VA 23703
  4. Sold 09/26/2008: $220,000
    4636 Mallard Cres, Portsmouth, VA 23703

Brady Howard

bradyhoward@kw.com